The Starlight Magic Hour ‘The End of The Party’, such is titled the new offering from
I’ve noticed a slight change, there seems to be more
Starlight Magic Hour, begins with some form of flaccid-
Manchester bands and gig goers that are into what we’re
discordant whistling, and ends with a cult-worthy treatise
doing now. It’s a strange one though because there’s no
on humanity. Having been described as everything from
doubt London has always given us the better reception.
the Fall to the Pogues, and eventually just Lou Reed doing
Most people think we’re a London band, I don’t think it
Berlin, what is clear is the lack of need for comparison.
matters too much. The gap between the Northern music
What this Manchester-ish band have done is put out a
scenes and Southern ones needs to be bridged because there
piece of art, both supremely personal and smarting in raw
are plenty of great bands knocking about all over Britain.
nerve against the banal wind of reality. Starlight are a band imagined for the late nights of a sleepover, when your
I know narcotics have been a pervading influence in the
friend’s mum is getting bdsm-fucked and you’ve been left
formation in the way Starlight have created, and the way
up late to watch a low budget horror film. Listen to this
you live. How has being known as a troupe known for
band for their horrific narrative, but get hooked for their
hedonism informed the music you make?
ability to compile all ascribed influence and come out with something that makes you feel [ORIGINALLY] sick.
There have been undeniable problems within the band, things that have held us back. At first it may help in the
Listening to the new EP, what really comes across is
creation process when you’re sat on Logic but eventually
the desire to embed a listener into the narrative, and
it’s nothing more than a burden. In the end it’s inhibiting.
the world it inhabits. Could you tell us a bit about the
Unfortunately, being in a band isn’t just about the live
theme, and the inspiration behind it?
shows where you can let loose, you need to deal with the promoters, labels and people generally; and nobody wants
The narrative we have planned for our albums has been
to work with someone who can’t wrap their tongue around
discussed a few times, it will be there throughout the songs
a word. Being barred from a venue in Blackpool gave us
and albums we put out in the immediate future. Lyrically,
the shake-up I needed. I say I because I can’t imagine how
things have to have a start, middle and an end for me. Lyrics
much worse it was for the rest of the guys.
are everything to me and they have to come from something or somewhere real to really connect with people. Lyrics
Something that strikes is the willingness to, musically
can take you anywhere emotionally and mean a million
and lifestyle-wise, inhabit the ‘outsider’ role. Beyond
different things to a million different people but they’re
that, what do the Starlight Magic Hour stand for? And
personal to me. If other people can connect with that in any
what, if anything, is the message you are trying to get
way, then that’s good. I feel the story has become more self-
across?
explanatory with the release of the EP. The main theme we’re trying to get across on these specific Coming from Salford, you’ve managed to make a name
albums we have planned is the cycle of abuse. People often
for yourself more in the London set rather than in
mistake our message as one of hate but it’s the opposite.
Manchester. How, if at all, has the reception to you guys
The larger message is one of love. If you can show mercy to
changed on the back of the EP?
those that have caused you harm, you’re breaking the cycle. Everybody wants to be loved.
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Words Words by by Elly Dan Watson, Pare, illustration by Kingston Josh Whettingsteel Poplar
