Return narratives are the lost element of migration stories in the modern day. We talk a lot about immigration to Western countries, but what about when the kids of those immigrants return to those long-lost homelands? For Melati Malay of Young Magic, born to an American Catholic father and Indonesian Muslim mother, questions about home and identity prompted a lot of the writing for the band's new album Still Life, out May 13 on Carpark. Today, Young Magic shares the video for "Lucien," which was written on a trip to Indonesia.
"I started making "Lucien" in small shack by the water," Melati writes in an e-mail to The FADER. "I spent half a month gathering field recordings, collecting stories and writing music. There is a day called Nyepi or 'Day of Silence' where no one leaves the house because it’s believed bad spirits fly over the island. They burn effigies of their monsters (Ogoh Ogoh) and then everyone hides indoors for 24 hours. It’s incredible, the streets are completely empty. I’m not sure if these ghosts still follow me in New York, but making 'Lucien' was my way to make an effigy of my own Ogoh Ogoh, and then burn it to the ground."
Tour Dates:
Young Magic with Yeasayer
5/12 Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
5/13 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
5/14 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
5/16 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
5/17 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
5/19 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
5/21 Nashville, TN - Exit / In
5/22 Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
5/23 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
5/24 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
5/28 Vancouver, BC - Imperial
5/29 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
5/31 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
6/01 Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre
6/02 San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park
6/03 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
