Here We Go Magic learns to play in larger venues

The band Here We Go Magic arrived an hour late June 9 to open for Grizzly Bear at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater without time for a sound check or rehearsal.

“We literally just hopped out of the van, and now we’re playing,” lead singer Luke Temple said.

Although Temple seemed on edge because of his lack of preparation, the audience did not care and was instead appreciative of Here We Go Magic’s performance.

Senior Brock Lents said he had little expectation of the band but was pleasantly surprised.

“I thought they were going to sound like Polyphonic Spree: really upbeat, like the name suggested,” Lents said. “But instead they presented a very varied sound.”

Temple explained that touring with Grizzly Bear has been a great opportunity, despite hiccups like arriving late to a show.

“We kind of know (Grizzly Bear) loosely just from living in Williamsburg, (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and they’ve been a band I’ve really listened to,” Temple said. “It’s sort of a dream come true to share a stage with them, especially now that they’ve become so huge and play much bigger venues.”

Ed Droste, lead singer of Grizzly Bear, confirmed that his band has grown in popularity.

“It’s been four years since we’ve played in Bloomington,” Droste said. “And the last time we played, there were only eight people listening in a basement.”

Temple said it took a while for Here We Go Magic to adjust to Grizzly Bear’s newfound popularity.

“It took us some time to get our sea legs to play in big venues,” Temple said. “We’ve been used to playing small clubs and basement shows, so it took us three or four shows to get used to it.”

Here We Go Magic had performed in Bloomington before. They played at the Cinemat in the spring when they were touring with The Callers.

“We feel the most comfortable in small venues where we have more of a direct connection with the audience,” Temple said. “It feels like it’s more of a holistic experience, and it’s a more organic show without the theatrics.”

Temple said his adoration for smaller venues might come from his background as an acoustic singer-songwriter.

However, Here We Go Magic’s sound is a 180-degree change for Temple.

“Here We Go Magic does not subscribe to a specific palette, so we can do whatever we like,” Temple said. “In terms of the singer-songwriter, I still want to have that, and there’s a place for it.”

Temple had finished recording a solo record last year but delayed its release until later this year in favor of releasing the eponymous Here We Go Magic album in the spring.

“We have this band where we can do this psychedelic, atmospheric thing, but I can always do the Luke Temple stuff, which is more narrative and simple,” Temple said. “I can do both now.”

Although always having been an artist, Temple was not always a musician.

“I’ve painted all my life, and I went to art school for college,” Temple said. “But since I started playing music, I’ve only painted to support myself, painted murals and decorative art, which is like bitch work.”

After making music his focus, Temple said it was a simple choice between painting and music for what he would devote himself to.

Temple also took time to dole out advice for students and aspiring artists.

“If you enjoy, if you really love writing music, and you really like making music, and you really like performing music, my only advice is keep doing it,” Temple said. “Just keep persevering, and eventually you will find the right avenue for it.”