Boasting a unique sound that blends thunderous riffs with '90s rock, the now-duo Amplifier are set to release their eighth studio album, 'Gargantuan' early April.
With an exciting year ahead, we chat with Sel Balamir of Amplifier about the mutual exclusivity of science and mysticism, his upcoming tour, and being carried off into the sunset by John Coltrane as part of the Seven Questions with Music Is To Blame Series.
Introduce yourself and where you’re from.
We haven’t been formally introduced - I’m Sel - from that band Amplifier. Actually - you do know me. A long time ago, once upon a time - we were the same entity. I’ve got some things to say if you’re interested - but you already knew that.
What do our readers need to know about you?
I've done this a long time now. With enough time and persistence even the most humble interest can develop into something that's unique and interesting. I wrote an extremely under-appreciated book once that laid out the basis of reality being just a kind of trans-dimensional chord, only to find out that some physicist dude had already basically said that 150 years ago.
Another thing I have noticed is that you can be a mystic or you can be a scientist and they are both important roles - but you can’t be both - they’re mutually exclusive. The imagined artistic world and the actual world are separate and distinct and should not be confused. A rainbow is a magical thing. No it’s not. A rainbow is a scientific thing. No it’s not. Etc.
What have you got coming up that you’re most excited for?
I’m definitely looking forward to our UK shows this spring. When you go to see a gig you are taking part in a tradition of mystical ecstasy that goes back to the earliest times of human beings. On the cover of the new Amplifier album 'Gargantuan' there’s a Pictoglyph that is in a cave that nomads on the steppes used to shelter in thousands of years ago. It depicts a stick figure with thoughts around its head. The head comprises two circles signifying the inner and outer world. When you go to a gig - you’re experiencing the same thing that those travellers experienced thousands of years ago.
What’s the best run in you’ve had with a fan?
I was on the train the other day and a person sat at the table opposite me recognised me for who I am. We had a pleasant conversation and then they got off and went along their path. A passing interaction is always fascinating and fulfilling for me. If you subscribe to the idea that reality is a kind of multidimensional chord then this kind of interaction makes perfect sense.*
What’s been your “I’ve made it’ moment so far?
Ups downs forwards backwards - it doesn’t really mean anything. I remember reading this obituary of a renowned pianist. The quote read “I felt like I was just getting somewhere with my playing”. What a hero. I could think of nothing more anti climactic than thinking that I’d arrived at a final destination.
What are your three “desert island” albums?
Ok - because we already talked about separating fantasy from reality I will go with the following choices:
The entire works of AC/DC simply because the human spirit is not celebrated in a way that’s more uplifting by any other musical act ever.
The entire recorded works of Bob Marley for the the vast amount of time I
would spend just sitting around.
The entire works of John Coltrane to carry my spirit off into the sunset on the wings of his transcendent saxophone.
Sum up your sound in three words.
Oh well that's easy - Go somewhere new.
Lana Williams
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