The Picturebooks: The Magic Of The Major Minor Collective
“The power of love is a curious thing” HUEY LEWIS crooned. While the 80s sensation was talking about romance, the love for music is equally curious. Distorted Sound exists because of it. An entire industry is built on it. It’s this love for music which brings THE PICTUREBOOKS to us today. Their fourth album, The Major Minor Collective is prime example of people coming together to celebrate the thing they love.
Dropping in from the studio, Fynn Grabke and Philipp Mirtschink remain hard at work. With tour dates in sight, the pair join us after playing through their live set for the first time in months. “We figured it might be a good idea to start playing our old songs again,” Fynn laughs as he tells us they’ve had to rely on muscle memory. Though it hasn’t just been the pandemic putting a stop to live music. The day we sit down is the first time Philipp’s been behind a drum kit since he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
While some concentrate on the negatives of the situation, Philipp’s knee surgery and the creation of The Major Minor Collective is nothing but positivity for THE PICTUREBOOKS. When the duo entered the studio, they assumed life would return to normal within three months. With extra time on their hands, they realised something was amiss. Fynn explains. “We had all these songs that were really good but we felt like we weren’t cutting it.” This missing spark prompted them to open the floodgates.
An imaginary construct, The Major Minor Collective is a conglomerate of everyone who collaborated on the album. From MONSTER TRUCK’s Jon Harvey to Leah Wellbaum of SLOTHRUST, all were welcome. A home page lurked on the internet and magic bubbled beneath the pixelated surface. As we speak about the wonders of the technological age, Fynn muses, “you can complain about it as much as you want, but if you use it the right way, it’s awesome.”
One of only two songs THE PICTUREBOOKS recorded with the artist in the room, Here’s To Magic’s roots came from an unexpected place. Teaming with mentor Sven Pollkötter, Philipp pulled the beat from Louisiana funeral services. “When they have funerals, they get together on the street and celebrate the life,” Fynn informs us. Though producing the album themselves created a strange situation when recording the song. “I had to tell my idol, Dennis Lyxzén [REFUSED], I thought the take wasn’t 100% and he was cool about it!” Fynn laughs.
The Major Minor Collective didn’t only change the band musically. Chris Robertson’s contribution, Catch Me If You Can, was written and recorded days before his father passed away. The blues anthem with rock n’ roll swagger celebrates the freedom of the spirit. “Chris said writing that song was like therapy,” Fynn begins, a sadness tinges his voice. “When you listen to the lyrics and the way he’s singing it, it’s quite something.” A mutual appreciation for Robertson and BLACKSTONE CHERRY resonates through the phone.
One man’s therapy proved to also be a moment of clarity for one woman. A thunderous anthem about true self-acceptance, Rebel has Lzzy Hale at her most raw. It’s no secret Rebel landed in Lzzy’s lap at a time of complete writer’s block. “She sent this big ass text where she told us how thankful she was and how it opened new doors,” Fynn says, still blown away Lzzy had sent Rebel back in less than 24 hours.
The positivity surrounding THE PICTUREBOOKS isn’t confined to their music. As we talk, we often slip in to conversations about how life opens up when you let go of expectations. “People get caught up in thinking they know what they want,” Fynn explains. Taking on the role of a motivational speaker, Fynn points out “people are so scared of taking the first step because they don’t want to go in the wrong direction, but there is no wrong direction.” Fynn hadn’t always been open to life. Suffering from anxiety so brutal it would cause him to cramp up on stage, the singer knew something had to change. Changing his approach life itself, the self-confessed “number one comfort zone seeker” got out of his own way. “It’s knowing what we don’t want which keeps us rolling,” he finishes.
THE PICTUREBOOKS finish their album by opening the floor once more. Song 12 is the audience’s chance to get in on the action. “There’s so many people out there who are more talented than us so why not take a shot at it?” Fynn laughs. Citing TikTok as the inspiration for this, the band wants to see where other people decide to take their music. With this in mind, it’s only right to ask who they’d most like to work with. “You’re fucking obsessed,” Philipp laughs when Fynn confesses the pair are huge fans of MADONNA.
“I feel like art needs these situations to show its full potential,” Fynn muses as we wind down. Had it not been for the world grinding to a halt, this album wouldn’t exist. “The thing that connects us all is that we’re fans first. That’s why music is so special.” With that, Fynn managed to capture the essence of this album. The Major Minor Collective is a celebration of music, our love for it, and life itself.
The Major Minor Collective is out now via Century Media Records.
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