Magenta’s lead singer Christina Booth is back with a new solo album, Bar Stool Prophet. Emotional and uplifting, haunting and lyrical, the album’s 10 tracks explore themes ranging from politics, war and religion to ageing, life and death. Prog catches up with Booth to discover more about the inspiration behind her latest music.
For me, music transcends everything,” begins Magenta’s Christina Booth. “It has the ability to connect people and brings a sense of hope.” The Welsh vocalist and singer-songwriter recently released her long-awaited third solo album, Bar Stool Prophet. Its 10 songs’ various themes are tied together by the belief that it’s never too late to alter the course of one’s life – and that concept is encapsulated by the final track, Rise Again. With an emotionally charged harmonica solo by Steve Hackett (yes, that Steve Hackett), the spine-tingling composition is one of Booth’s favourites.
“No matter what, you pick yourself up and get on with it,” she explains of the lyrics. “There’s always something better around the corner. I put a lot of myself into the lyrics, though they’re not always about things that have happened to me.”
Booth composed Bar Stool Prophet’s title track following the death of a friend, and her lyrics explore the dark side of alcohol and the damage it can cause. creation of these songs, and of the entire album, was not only a cathartic experience for the singer-songwriter, but also a way to connect with her listeners in meaningful ways.
“I share a lot of what I feel through songwriting,” she reveals. “A problem is made a lot easier by sharing it. It’s such a powerful thing to make a connection with people.” Booth’s own connection with music developed in early childhood. She recalls performing for family members and, in later years, attending punk concerts with her sister. It took some time, however, before her own singing abilities were realised.
“I loved to sing, even when I was very young. I didn’t really discover that I could sing, or that people would want to listen to me, until I was 19 or 20.”
Booth reflects on the extent to which her parents’ musical tastes influenced her own. She recalls her mother listening to Ella The pure, lilting quality of Booth’s voice exposes the layers of emotion behind her harmonies and lyrics. She speaks about the darker side of her music and her desire to blend those heavier melodies and themes with something more uplifting.
“I find it easier to write melancholy songs,” she confesses. “Happier songs sound a bit twee when I do them. I hope the emotion comes th
