Nici Ward (Lonesome Dove) interviews Adalita (Magic Dirt) ahead of their Young and Full of The Devil” Tour.
Hold tight for an electrifying encounter as Nici Ward, the driving force behind Lonesome Dove, sits down with the incomparable Adalita from Magic Dirt. As the “Young and Full of The Devil” Tour heads to WA, they dive into an unfiltered artist-on-artist interview.
Adalita’s songwriting secrets are revealed, from personal experiences to dreams and real-world issues that spark her evocative lyrics. The conversation gets riff-tastic as she spills the beans on her beloved Gibson SG and its irresistible charm.
Looking back at a dynamic music landscape, Adalita shares timeless advice for bands and artists, encouraging them to embrace their unique sound and follow their hearts.
From heart-pounding inspirations to sultry riffs, Adalita spills the beans on what sets her creative fire ablaze, conjuring lyrics that hit like a punch to the gut. And oh, the Gibson SG – that timeless love affair! She dishes on its allure, modifications, and how it was love at first sight.
Tour hacks and must-haves? Say hello to cameras, mixtapes, and post-show domino showdowns! But let’s not forget Adalita’s mesmerizing encounters with rock legends.
No holds barred, Adalita shares her unapologetic approach to creativity and the record that forever makes her say “Fuck Yeah!” – Mazzy Star’s “She Hangs Brightly.”
With the “Young and Full of The Devil” Tour around the corner, this artist-on-artist interview unveils the raw beauty of musical genius. Prepare for an unforgettable collaboration between Lonesome Dove and Magic Dirt, setting the stage ablaze with rock ‘n’ roll energy. Don’t miss the magic!
NICI: “Hi Adalita!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this with me. I’m pretty spun out and excited to be getting to ask you some questions!!! Let’s get stuck in…
As a fan of Magic Dirt from a young age, and as a songwriter myself, I was wondering what subject matter inspires you to write now, as opposed to what might have inspired you in earlier years?
ADALITA: I think I’m still writing about the same thing which is basically whatever inspires me that is happening at the time around me.
Usually it’s to do with a relationship I might be having, a movie I might have watched and been inspired by, something that happened in my personal life, a news story, a dream, or maybe I’m worried about something like what’s happening to the natural world and I will write a song about that.
I also do a lot of creative writing, poetry,write whatever comes into my head and just do a bunch of writing I accumulate lots of writing that way that is sometimes not even related and it just becomes one long story that I then cherry pick my lyrics from.
NICI: “As long as I can remember you’ve always played your iconic Gibson SG (: Can you tell me a bit about it and what made you choose it in the beginning? And have you made any mods?”
ADALITA: Yes I love the Gibson SG, it’s my favourite and pretty much only guitar I use. I bought my first electric guitar which was a deep brown Ibanez SG copy, which I still have, I think it may be the lawsuit one.
Then I purchased two vintage Gibson SG’s in San Francisco in 1996. I still have those guitars and then I went onto a later model 2003 red Gibson SG and I currently also have a 2020’s tribute Gibson SG.
The only modifications I have done to some of the guitars are to swap out the pick ups. I love the P90 pickups. I just love the vintage SG’s so much and my old Ibanez because the neck is thin and long and they just sound so great.
But it’s that nice shape with the two horns at the top that drew me to that guitar the very first time I saw it.
NICI: “After watching the landscape of the industry change over the years, What is some advice you could give that you could say will forever apply to bands and artists wanting to pursue their career in the industry?”
ADALITA: Just have fun and make up whatever kind of music you like. There’s no rules you can do whatever you like, just do stuff that makes you happy and makes your heart feel happy and from there really, that’s where everything else usually blossoms from…
NICI: “What are your tour hacks and must haves for being on the road?”
ADALITA: I always bring some sort of camera, I love filming stuff on the road so that’s a must have for me. A good mix tape. Magic Dirt bring a game of dominoes on the road – we like to play a few rounds of it after we do a show back at the hotel, it’s surprisingly fun.
Oh and I bring a stainless steel container with a lid to put any leftover rider food or dinner at shows – hate to see stuff like that go to waste. And it’s good to have leftovers for the late night munchies.
NICI: “As someone that has played solo for years and now plays in a band, what are the pros and cons that you can think of for both?”
ADALITA: It’s much easier playing with a band behind you because you’re not as exposed as when you are playing just solo. The upside of playing a solo show is that it can create a different level of intimacy and bonding between the artist and audience than when you play a big loud rock show.
They get to see that vulnerable more exposed part of you, it’s a zooming in on you as an artist. But there’s nothing like playing with a band. My criteria for playing in a band is make sure you feel comfortable and like everyone is on the same page. Don’t compromise.
NICI: “Having toured with so many Iconic acts, Are there any memories you have that you can remember at the time not realising that that moment would end up being one for the history books?”
ADALITA: It’s all been unreal, I’ve met so many famous bands and artists over time playing in the Dirt and solo – QOTSA, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Beck, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Lemonheads, The Darkness, BRMC, The White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Blondie, The Pretenders, Leonard Cohen, Joe Strummer, Iggy Pop, so many, and all of them such cool, awesome people.
NICI: “How do you tackle people that might try to handbrake your creativity?
ADALITA: I’m not affected by anyone else’s opinion of what I do creatively. My creative space is sacrosanct. I do whatever the fuck I want.
NICI: “And finally, What is your go to record that you’ll forever go back to, put it on, and still think Fuck Yeah!?”
ADALITA: Lots but one of them would definitely have to be Mazzy Star ’She Hangs Brightly’
NICI: “Thank you so much!!! I’m so grateful for your time and Lonesome Dove can’t wait to play with you on the WA leg of the “Young and Full of The Devil” Tour!!!!
