Magic Dirt released Young and Full of the Devil 25 years ago and has celebrated with a double LP re-release. This era of Magic Dirt is a special time for the band with Raul stepping in as their new guitarist, that would turn into a lifetime of friendship and shows together.
HEAVY caught up with frontwoman Adalita to reflect on the past and delve into the future.
As well as releasing a wild purple-colored vinyl, they decided to hit the road on a monster tour to play their album in full. If you haven’t had the chance to watch Magic Dirt live, they have this amazing and wild energy that they’ve carried on as a trademark since their early days. “We’re animals. Love playing loud and love the riffs”.
I really wanted to reflect and take Adalita back to the ‘golden age’ of Aussie rock/punk music, the 90s and 00s. If anyone has cool stories, it’s got to be these guys, right? We talked about being on the road, the Big Day Out festival days, the Channel [V] era and what it was like to be right in the guts of it all. “So many lost brain cells in and blur of awesomeness”. Living in a time when you could fully immerse yourself in a world without social media certainly had its rewards and perks. “We used to drive around and guess where the venues were. Living life actually and not virtually”. Can’t sit here and say I’m not envious of the lifestyle having grown in the internet world…
At one point I asked if Adalita still resonates with Young and Full of the Devil’s lyrics and content and what it’s like to play the songs today. In response, she explains that she understands and knows exactly who that person was and where the emotion and lyrics came from, and it’s amazing to be able to play these songs again and re-live those memories and experience the songs through who she is today with all the life lessons she’s learnt along the way.
Which I personally think is a beautiful thing to have. Imagine having a record with all your angst from the 20s as your living diary. I wondered if she had any advice she would give her younger self to which she said she would actually rather receive the advice.
A cool thought to have.
This weekend Magic Dirt are heading to Byron Bay on their tour for the first time since the 2000s, promising to rip it up and have a hell of a time! You can find the full tour guide on their website, grab some merch and a copy of Young and Full of the Devil for yourself.
Do it!!
