Caulfield and the Magic: hit Columbia for show at Mojo's

The band's show tonight is dedicated to Kirk Rundstrom of Split Lip Rayfield.

By Jess Camp

Published Feb. 23, 2007

People define themselves in college. They decide who they are and who they want to be. Some people find this task difficult, though others have discovered their aspirations long before college. Senior Casey Reeves is the latter. He believes he is a great musician and wants to pursue music as a career.

Reeves, his friend Michael Cane and their background band make up the group Caulfield and the Magic. Reeves describes their music as a blend of country, folk and bluegrass.

"I think that people think that the Midwest is in the middle of nowhere and dismiss it," he said. "But Columbia has a great music scene. We're just hidden in the Midwest."

Reeves' friend and the band's former drummer, Joel, came up with the group's name. Joel really liked the book "Catcher in the Rye" and was inspired by the line in it that states if Caulfield had a magic violin, then he would have all the women. That is what inspired the name.

"Except we're not out to get all the women," Reeves said. "We're about the music."

Caulfield and the Magic holds concerts semi-regularly.

"We try not to play in Columbia more than once a month," Reeves said. "It's better to have fewer and bigger events."

The band is branching out and plays shows in St. Louis, among other nearby cities.

Reeves said he bases his songs on real-life experiences.

"Our music is relatable," he said. "A lot of it deals with difficult times and dealing with the rough parts of life. Music is a therapy."

Reeves said he is grateful for his fans.

"I usually talk with my sister first, since she goes to all my shows," he said.

After that, Reeves meets and greets his fans. He likes to talk with his audience and hear their opinions of the shows.

Reeves said his favorite band, Wilco, is his biggest influence. He likes that their songs are about the average man and his struggles through life. His music is also greatly influenced by Johnny Cash and Lucinda Williams.

He plans to pursue music after graduation but is unsure as to where he wants to live.

"I really dig the Columbia scene," Reeves said. "It's the heart of the Midwest. I love the music community."

Reeves said that he's just a country boy, but that it would also be nice to live in Chicago for a while, since that is where Wilco is from.

Tonight's show is a special one. Caulfield had been slated to play with the band Split Lip Rayfield, whose guitarist and singer Kirk Rundstrom had been battling brain cancer. Reeves said Rundstrom vowed to play until the end, but Thursday morning, he succumbed to the disease and died. Reeves will dedicate the show in honor of his friend.