Magic Music, Music Magic

[wolven7]

Man Mantis - Minor Aches and Pains--- So, a while ago, I wrote this kind of tentative list of "Musician Magicians," that is, musicians who use or reference occult themes and work. There are two things which have happened, since that time:

Miranda Sex Garden - [Havana Lied]--- 1) I've become aware of Dr Quandary, and holy crap.

2) I've started to wonder, "Are any of these people referencing this stuff in an other-than-genuine way?"

Einstürzende Neubauten - [Zebulon]--- What I mean is, how many of these folks are talking about occult themes, making consistent and particular references to kinds and types of magic... But don't actually do what you might call "Believing" in the shit they talk.

Now, as I've discussed in Other Venues, this doesn't necessarily matter, right? One can know or believe utter bollocks about magic, but still hit on a useful conception, a good Point of View, which allows those of us so inclined to Do The Work and Make The Art. (Geinoh Yamashirogumi - [Tetsuo]) (This song is actually a Really Fitting followup to Neubauten). Hell, they could even be downright hostile to the idea of so-called real magic, and still write a damn fine song for use in ritual. You feel me?

So my question becomes-- or should become-- not "Are They Sincere?" but rather "Does It Matter?" Well, to an extent? It does, yes. The intent of understanding and perspective that gets put into the art of music is a visceral thing, and, with that in mind, we feel the output of that intent, of that perspective. So. When I make music with an eye (ear) to transformation, transmutation, reification, then I am pushing that desire to instill, transform, transport, that apotheotic (shut up it's a word now) urge. It becomes a part of my notes, my voice, my playing, my carriage, my body language, on stage...

Panzer Ag - Not Too Late--- Every motion on the stage, every cast of the hand, every lilt of the voice, particular and In That Moment, becomes a magical work, becomes a spell-singing, a sigil-dancing, a will-drumming. It is... Magical...

But.... But.

Can't it be said that that's just Good Music? That transformation, that Immersion, that thrumming of connection? Isn't that just music as does that?

Thoughts are welcome, in the comments, as are more bands which use magic, in their works.

Fuel - [New Thing]--- Thanks for the thoughts.

Comments

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

Switching metaphors (because that's apparently how I work), there's almost no chance that any of the steam-toy folks in Greece (or Egypt?) could have conceived of locomotives pulling tons across a continent.

The intended use doesn't necessarily limit it.
(insert further extrapolations about game design and real life here)