LEIFUR JAMES

Magic Seeds, the latest album from multi-instrumentalist and composer Leifur James, is a masterful exploration of texture and tone. Idiosyncratic sound design is interwoven with the warmth of piano and strings, and lyrical matters emphasise themes of growth, change, and renewal. It's only the latest example of James' yen for profoundly cinematic sound design following his acclaimed 2018 debut A Louder Silence. Made after a move from London to Lisbon, James recorded the album alongside Leo Taylor, Raven Bush and Oli Bayston, and a sense of intimacy and lightness pervades even the bleakest songs on the album. TANK spoke to James on the influences behind Magic Seeds.

TANK What do the “magic seeds” of the album title refer to?
LEIFUR JAMES It’s about rerooting, starting new seeds, and growing—personally, societally, and environmentally. I like it when something you connect with personally is also true of something relatable to society, human nature, and wider universal motifs.

TANK How did your experience of Lisbon life influence the music?
LJ Honestly, it was a lighter environment to finish the record, literally with the weather patterns and energy wise. It’s hard not to go a bit darker with records in London, as the whole culture is a bit more introverted.

TANK Do you make a distinction between longer-form compositions and more “pop”-adjacent songwriting?
LJ I’m often meandering between in records as the variety and balance intrigues me most. Sometimes instrumentation feels best, at other times a human voice can elevate things.

TANK Tell me about your collaborative relationships with Leo Taylor, Raven Bush and Oli Bayston.
LJ It was simple really: one day of recording together and a long period of editing. It felt very natural and harmonious. Leo’s drumming I’ve always admired from afar - and Raven’s been a new collaborator for me but his string work is intuitive and musical. He’ll always play something interesting. Oli’s been a facilitator and helps hone my confidence in the vision and finding ways to bring it to light. Sometimes you need people like that to sound-board and energise you when it’s all in your head.

TANK You’ve spoken on the influence of Talk Talk on the record. What about their music and philosophy attracted you?
LJ That record has informed a lot of modern electronic, instrumental, and post-rock music. It’s just one of those timeless records everyone will find a connection with. What most inspired me about this record was their bravery in the compositions and the rich blues guitar in brooding atmospheres. It’s abstract but connectable.

TANK Tell me about your selection for this week’s TANK Mix.
LJ I’ve been dug into this record for a few years - so I wanted to cover a different segment of music in this mix: club culture, music I’ve enjoyed in 2024 and some of the stories from the year.