Catching Flies: Crafting Musical Landscapes from Memory and Melody
"Magnolia," is the latest single from the musical virtuoso Catching Flies, born George King. With each note, "Magnolia" beckons listeners into a world suffused with the gentle warmth of spring, drawing upon field recordings captured during King's travels in China. As the melody unfolds, it serves as an ode to the arrival of spring—a season of renewal, hope, and the quiet resilience of nature.
Today the artist shares insights into the genesis of "Magnolia" and his creative process, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of sound that defines his musical oeuvre. "The track is named after the tree of the same name," King reveals, delving into the thematic underpinnings of his latest composition. "There was a magnolia tree on the street I grew up on in London, and so it always holds a significance for me."
At the heart of Catching Flies' sonic universe lies a fascination with the art of collecting moments—a penchant for preserving snippets of sound that resonate with personal meaning and memory. "My music is a scrapbook of where I’m at and where my head is at, at any given time," King reflects. "I am constantly collecting little bits of sound... Sometimes I’ll spend a few hours just recording myself playing a Kalimba, for example."
This meticulous approach to sound curation manifests in the rich, evocative textures that define Catching Flies' discography—a seamless fusion of field recordings, sampled snippets, and melodic motifs. Collaborating closely with string arranger Thomas Lea, Catching Flies embarks on a journey of sonic exploration, weaving together threads of emotion and melody to craft his most cohesive project to date.
"Working closely with string arranger Thomas Lea, Catching Flies has created his most emotional and cohesive project yet," the interview elucidates. "A beautiful, moving record, with sounds that unmistakably come straight from the heart."
Indeed, "Tides," the album from which "Magnolia" emerges, serves as a testament to Catching Flies' maturation as an artist. As the world navigates through turbulent waters, Catching Flies offers solace in the form of musical landscapes that resonate with a sense of constancy amidst this unbearable and shocking chaos.
How important is traveling for you as an artist? Do you work extensively while on the move?
Important. More and more I’m creating on the go - mainly out of necessity. Just little snippets and ideas rather than full tracks. Again, they serve as a document in time. I have files on my computer named ‘Denver Airport’ or ‘Taxi to Delhi’ - and these are ideas I’ve worked on at a specific moment in time. It excites me that I have these little mementos of certain journeys. And then if they end up being released, they always take me back to where I was or what I was doing at that time. It’s so visual for me. I have songs I made 10 years ago, that when I listen now, I remember the chair I was sitting on, the midi keyboard I was using etc… I use the week of travel to soak up new experiences, new people, new cultures… and then take that back in the studio feeling refreshed and inspired; it all comes out musically. I find that if I spend too long in the studio, the ideas run dry and I get bored. I need external stimulation to make the creative process worthwhile. Also, I find creating music while traveling useful because there is less pressure on it. If I’m getting the train from Berlin to Munich for example, I will work on an idea. If the idea is shit, then hey, I’ve still achieved something - I was traveling on the train anyway and it was dead time. So it doesn’t matter if nothing comes of it. Whereas if I’m in the studio for 2 weeks and nothing happens, it gets me down because it feels like a waste of time.
You mentioned that Tides is an album about coming and going, the rollercoaster of life. Do you have any particular messages for the listeners that you want to convey with your tracks?
That in the end… everything will be ok!
Lastly, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
I will be touring a lot… in the US, Europe, Asia… with my new live show. And I’ve already written quite a lot of new music that I’m excited about and will hopefully be released this year. Lots to come!
With "Magnolia" as the harbinger of spring, Catching Flies invites listeners on a journey of introspection and renewal—a testament to the transformative power of music to evoke memories, stir emotions, and illuminate the path forward.
Photo Alexandra Waespi
