Interview With MAGELLAN

How would you classify your music ?

PER JENSEN - "honest, from the heart."

AMARIAH HESSION - "It's difficult to classify because we play so many styles.Some people would say that's a sign of a band without direction.I'd say its a sign of a band without limits.We combine elements of psychedelic space-rock, progressive rock, pop, jazz, funk, folk, country, blues, classical, and straight-ahead rock'n'roll."

Do you all have day jobs and if so what do you do ?

PER JENSEN - "Of course. I'm an account rep for Best Buy Corporation."

AMARIAH HESSION - "I'm an attorney with a large legal publishing company."

AAA MARRZ - "I'm a warehouseman for a publishing company. Different company from where Amariah works."

How did the band get together ?

PER JENSEN - "It's a very long story. We have a complete history of the band on our website.But briefly,AAA and I have been playing together since we were kids, probably 10 or 11.Amariah and I started playing together when we were about 14 or 15.

We started a band with 2 other guys, playing covers of Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Blue Oyster Cult, Pink Floyd...popular stuff of the early 70's. We started writing our own material, and decided to record a DIY project.

Turned out to be me and Amariah, and then AAA joined in later.We released that first project on cassette in 1975 - "The Voyage of Magellan."

Since then many musicians have come and gone in Magellan, but for the most part it has been myself, Amariah, and AAA."

What are your musical backgrounds ?

PER JENSEN - "I grew up with music all around me.My dad was a very popular DJ in the 50's 60's and early 70's.He was always bringing home Beatles stuff before it was released to the public.I began playing guitar at about age 10 or 11. I'm completely self-taught."

AMARIAH HESSION - "I've always had music around me.Both of my parents were music lovers.My dad played keyboards rather well.I began playing organ at about age 9, and studied piano through the first couple years of college.I started guitar at about age 12.I took classical guitar lessons for a couple years,but other than thatI am self-taught on that instrument."

AAA MARRZ - "I'm completely self-taught.Played in a lot of bands in high school. When I'm not working on a Magellan project I play in other bands.For the past few years I've fronted a blues band,and before that a country band.

What kind of music do you like to listen to when your not playing ?

PER JENSEN - Jars of Clay, Sweetback, XTC, Yes

AMARIAH HESSION - all kinds, Pink Floyd, Dylan, lots of blues, lots of new Indie stuff.

AAA MARRZ - blues

What do you do to relax ?

PER JENSEN - listen to music..write music

AMARIAH HESSION - surf the net, watch movies, play piano

AAA MARRZ - collect insect carcases (sp?)

If you had the chance to jam with any band, who would that be ?

PER JENSEN - King Crimson

AMARIAH HESSION - Pink Floyd

Whats the best thing that has ever happened to you ?

PER JENSEN - Kathy

AMARIAH HESSION - marrying Lisa

Whats the worst thing that has ever happened to you ?

PER JENSEN - Mary

AMARIAH HESSION - watching my father die

Who writes the songs ?

PER JENSEN - we all write songs. Lately I've written more than half of them, but we tend to work on each others songs too. Between all of us, we have over 300 original songs. We don't take individual credit for songwriting. It's a group effort.

Where do you get your Inspiration from ?

PER JENSEN - everywhere, from life, everything

AMARIAH HESSION - primarily from relationships, but also from observing what is going on in the world around me. I tend to get wrapped up in the news and often get inspired to write a song based on some injustice I see...the trick is writng the song so that it's not just simple straight-forward protest song, or political commentary. You have to analogize.

AAA MARRZ - mostly from relationships.

who thought of the bands name and how did you choose it ?

PER JENSEN - the name came to me when Amariah and I decided to do our first project of original material. I was seeking something that stood for adventure and exploration.

I was reading a book at the time about famous explorers, and Magellan seemed to me to be the most courageous and the most willing to take chances.

We felt with our eclectic style of music that we were taking chances, not doing what was expected...and so...Magellan.

Which are your personal favorite songs and why ?

PER JENSEN -
1. Clouds (from "R") - the lyrics and music fit together very well. It's an expressive song..simply said, but from the heart.
2. Motion. An old song, and again very simple with a great melody.
3. Reflection. Beautiful sound that tells a story without the use of lyrics.

AMARIAH HESSION -
1. Yes, Mildred (There Was Life On Mars) - I love the way this song was done, and how it turned out. It was a lot of fun recording it. The guitar and organ play off each other very well.
2. Clouds. Like Per, this song just gets to me. It's such a simple song, yet very passionate.
3. Flight. The live version from 1991 is excellent. This song really rocks. Heavy bass line with a synth following the bass and high-end piano throughout.
4.Reaction. Perfect example of how to turn something out of the news headlines into a great song.
5. Get Free - this is a song that was written by a former member, Bjorn Nei. He did an acoustic demo and then Per and I added several layers. Per does a wonderful guitar solo on this one. Another rocker.
6. Without You. AAA MARRZ has an incredible voice and this song really demonstrates his versatility. Great blues tune.
7. We Could Be Together. pop tune with great melody and harmonies and fun keyboard parts.

AAA MARRZ -
1. Motion. Just love the song.
2. Stephanie's Song. Personal reasons. A real sentimental one for me.

Do you play many gigs and if so where ?

PER JENSEN - No. We used to play live all the time, but haven't in years. We are now primarily a studio band. That may change though. AAA is always playing out with other groups. The guy has to have a guitar in his hands or he starts shaking uncontrollably.

What is your view of the music scene in (whereever you live) ?

PER JENSEN - confused, but hopping.

AMARIAH HESSION - it's generally a very exciting music scene. I agree with Per that there is a degree of confusion.

There have been several clubs that have either gone under or have moved to different locations. However, there are lots of new clubs.

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul are full of live music every night. Literally hundreds of places to hear just about every type of music you could think of.

AAA MARRZ - well, I'm living in Kentucky now when not working on a Magellan project. Music scene? What music scene?

what bands would you say have had most influence on you ?

PER JENSEN - The Beatles, Yes, Pink Floyd

AMARIAH HESSION - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Moody Blues

AAA MARRZ - Carl Perkins, John Fogerty, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry

What are your plans for the future ?

PER JENSEN - Immediate plans are to work on our next CD. We have over 20 original new songs that we've worked up demos for, and are in the process of putting the arrangements together.

This new project will most likely be like nothing we've done before. We have some incredible new equipment, and most importantly, what we believe to be the best songs we've written in years.

Any last words or remarks ?

AMARIAH HESSION - We've been together for about 25 years now, and hope for another 25 or more. Buy our CD!!