The Amazons: "Black Magic" & "Joe Bought a Gun" — Matt Thomson on The Amazons’ Songwriting Journey

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by Matt Thomson of The Amazons to unpack the creative journey behind two defining songs: “Black Magic” and “Joe Bought a Gun.”

Matt reflects on the early days of writing “Black Magic,” a track that first came together when the band were teenagers. Born from heartbreak and shaped by years of experimenting, the song laid the foundation for the band’s layered and instinct-driven approach to songwriting. He shares how this process—throwing everything onto the page before carefully chiseling it down—has come to define their musical identity.

The conversation then turns to “Joe Bought a Gun,” a powerful track from their latest album 21st Century Fiction. Inspired by a friend’s decision to buy a weapon out of fear of societal collapse, the song tackles themes of fear, masculinity, and modern anxiety. Matt opens up about how current cultural tensions have shaped the record’s narrative and why “Joe Bought a Gun” sits at the emotional and conceptual heart of the album.

The episode features intimate acoustic performances of both songs, offering a stripped-back look at the band’s evolving sound and emotional depth.

Artist: The Amazons

Songs: “Black Magic” and “Joe Bought a Gun”

Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Chris Goldsmith

Mix Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

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