Magus (a.k.a. Trent Boswell) is a sentient, extra-planar being of indeterminate origin. Shapeshifting and bizarre, it is best not to look directly at it, or to attempt a mind meld. The most advisable course of action, if confronted with this entity is to stand idly by and listen to the strange and soothing sounds it makes. The protocol is to applaud at the conclusion of these exhibitions and to purchase small plastic discs from it, which it refers to as CDs. It becomes hostile when offerings of standard issue currency are not promptly placed in the box marked TIPS.
Magus has written several books of poetry. You can purchase them for $7 each. Titles:
Next.
This is a portrait of Magus, painted in oil by Lisa Yoder.
Austin Branum learned the bass from an old bluegrass musician who told him "I can teach you how to play some songs, or I can teach you how to play". This meant learn the fundamentals of music and then you can play anything. Austin chose the wiser route and buckled down and learned his scales. If you ask him for his influences, he'll mention Frank Zappa, The Beatles, Lou Reed and The Talking Heads, among others.
Adam credits his interest in playing percussion to his uncle. The first time I saw him perform was at a jazz club called Applejax in 1980. I was only five years old at the time, but that was the first time I realized that I wanted to play percussion. Six years later, Adam got his first set. At the age of 11 his parents bought him a three piece, with one cymbal for five dollars at a yard sale.
As far as musical influences are concerned, Adam credits Rush with his desire to learn technique, but credits the Grateful Dead and many other jam bands, including Moe, Wide Spread Panic and The String Cheese Incident, with helping him to develop his style. When asked what is the one thing he likes most about playing percussion, his response was ...the perfect mental state that you must assimilate in order to play anything that requires all four limbs to work in complete opposition of each other.
