Monday Jul 15, 2024

Surprise Cast #78 Mahogany

I'm super excited. Today, we are bringing in a unique musical duo that expertly blends elements from various genres, creating a sound that is as complex as it is captivating. In the Surprise Cast studio, we have Andrew Prinz and Jaclyn Slimm from the band Mahogany. We’re here to talk about life as musicians, their brand new EP, concert experiences, etc. Sit back and enjoy!

Andrew shares his multifaceted role in Mahogany, where he plays the 12-string electric guitar, sings, programs rhythms and synthesizers, occasionally plays the cello, and handles much of the engineering and production. Jaclyn complements Andrew's work by playing guitar, singing, writing lyrics and melodies, and contributing to beat making, synthesizer work, and visual elements like projections and animations for live performances.

The conversation dives into their childhood experiences, revealing how Andrew's early love for reading and playing the cello shaped his musical journey ("I really loved the idea of being part of a section and not being singled out"), and Jaclyn's background in classical ballet and theater influenced her artistic expression. Andrew shares personal anecdotes about his struggles with hearing as a child ("I had to have surgery to ameliorate that") and how that has influenced his understanding of sound and music. She opens up about balancing her artistic passions with family support and how her dance background enriches her music career. ("the dance was my most favorable part of the experience of theater and working with other people").

The discussion then moves to the importance of mentorship and friendship in their journey. Andrew expresses gratitude towards key individuals like Larry Hoffman ("Burn Hair Records...he signed us to our first record") and Marc Greuther(Henry Ford Museum) who significantly impacted Mahogany's early success. ("Mark has incredible taste in music...he turned me onto a lot of fantastic groups). Jaclyn reflects on Andrew's role as a mentor and motivator in her life, highlighting the profound influence he has had on her musical development. (He's been a mentor, a teacher, a guide...he's very useful in pushing me to think about things in new ways").

In the third part of the conversation, the duo discusses their creative process and the importance of patience and deliberate artistry. They emphasize the value of creating music that stands the test of time over seeking immediate popularity. The episode also includes a deep dive into music from their new EP, "A Scaffold." ("It felt like a big fist in the air to go to our studio and to do my guitar very end solo part, which is running through quad amps").The song "A Scaffold" is described as a powerful expression of strength and resilience, while "Polyvalence" showcases Andrew's experimental approach to composition and production.

The episode concludes with a discussion on live performances, where they explain the unique experience they aim to provide for their audience. ("We have put a lot of effort into this, we're bringing all of these interesting machines along with us"). They share their excitement about upcoming shows and future projects, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more from Mahogany.

Don't miss this insightful and inspiring episode with Mahogany, where Andrew and Jaclyn share their journey, creative process, and the passion that drives their outstanding music. Check out their new EP, "A Scaffold," and experience the captivating sound of Mahogany. If you like film director, Peter Weir, musician, Peter Gabriel, then you'll find that Mahogany are equally just as intelligent and creative in the way they approach their amazing craft.

Follow Mahogany:
https://mahoganyinthecity.bandcamp.com/

Surprise Cast #78 Mahogany

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