Interview: Mauro Magellan

Rock fans with discerning tastes will be familiar with Mauro Magellan as the drummer with The Georgia Satellites, whilst those with excellent tastes will know him for his sterling work with Dan Baird & Homemade Sin. They won’t necessarily know that he’s also illustrated numerous books for major publishers such as Pelican Press, Long Street Press, The Globe Peqout Press, and John Wiley and Sons. Furthermore he’s also written and illustrated four children’s books published by Humantics, Ltd. and Eifrig Publishing. Whilst here with DB&HMS he’s squeezing in some special appearances reading from his latest opus Felicia and the Rat, a book he not only wrote and illustrated but for which he produced an accompanying collection of tunes. One of those readings at 9:30am on Monday 10th December at the Greenhouse Café in Southmead Development Trust. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for us to give some background.

Where did the initial inspiration for the book come from: what came first – the story or did you get some ideas for the characters then build a story around them?
I wanted to do a story with music. I had a character, Felonious Cat, but no story. Felonious originally played the sax. As I tried to put it together I realized; I’m a drummer and growing up “Latin” during the Miami Cuban immigrant “invasion” I already had a story.  That’s how Louie came about. I’ve had a few encounters with rats and I thought, nobody likes them, or wants around. Perfect!

What was harder, creating and honing the story or the conjuring up the illustrations?
It all just came out. Louie, Felicia, Herman the Vermin. The songs were easy too. I had trouble singing a few as I’m not a good singer but I have a friendly voice and in the studio I was able to do several takes of those “harder” songs.

How early in the process did you decide there would be songs to accompany the book?
The story is in rhyme. Originally I had one song. A New Point of View. Then I thought, I can submit this to the Grammies if I make up a few more songs. Well, my producer friend submitted the music but didn’t complete the application. The CD release date kept from being submitted this year. Book II Louie and that Dog was not finished due to so much touring that I missed this year.  I’ll release the second story in 2019 and I’ll be doing the submissions next year!

Are any of the characters based on any musician pals out here in the (so called) real world?
Yes, Jet Ears Johnny is based on a bass player friend of mine, Johnny. Herman the vermin is based on a friend who dances shirtless when I play at home. He’s known as “Shirtless Pete”. And we have possums sleep on our garbage cans. Twice one fell in and when I freed him boy did he stink!

How much more pleasurable is it illustrating your own work rather than working on other people’s stories? Is there less stress when you get a brief to work on illustrations for others?
More stress…deadlines and short deadlines. I much prefer illustrating my own stories. I have to work on other illustrations to earn a living. I completed two book while working on my new one. Another reason for the delay. One I did for a Chinese Dairy company, I wrote and illustrated the book. Sadly it was one of best stories! (Ok, maybe not sadly). The other was an Anole book (a south Florida lizard), this book was more scientific. I actually enjoyed doing that on very much.

Who would your top your list of dream authors to illustrate?
Just myself.

Given that you’ve illustrated other people’s work, would you ever work on just the words and use another artist? If so, who would be your ideal artist?
Yes, I would do that a lot. I love making up stories. I used to make up stories for my daughters and now granddaughter. They like one in particular I’m going to have to write. I’m not crazy about it but they request that one all the time. It’s called The Bad Boys and it’s about two young girls whose quaint girly tree house keeps getting invaded by three bad boys. The girls come up with creative ways to stop them at the ladder. I added a third boy who in the end becomes friends with the girls and get along. My girls including their friends like it better at the end: the two bad boys get their comeuppance.

This is now your fifth book, when you look back, how do you feel about each book: can you chart improvements or do you not tend to go for that kind of self-analysis?
Yes, I think they are OK. Cambio Chameleon I’m still happy with the pictures. Max the Apartment Cat I still like. The drawings are a little stiff but likable. I do need to improve. I try but I’m mostly satified, not completely. I really like the Rat stories, as for the story and music I’m 87.5% happy with it. I’m 100% happy with Dark Moon and I Can See a Rainbow…that’s saying a lot because I’m not that 100% guy.

Do you reckon you might be tempted to do a project that’s more universal rather than aimed at children?
Yes, I’m thinking about doing a Science Fiction Love story. I want it to be more of a story about two main characters and not the usual dystopia future that may or may not happen.

Finally, how likely are we to hear any renditions of the tune when you’re on stage with Dan Baird and Homemade Sin?
We have way too many songs already with Dan. We can barely cover half our songs as is. Short answer, not likely.

Mauro Magellan will be at the Greenhouse Café 09:30 on Monday 10th December 2018