Magic Dirt Put Their Own Spin On The Saints' '(I'm) Stranded'

Magic Dirt have added a sprinkle of the signature Magic Dirt feel into the classic tune, (I’m) Stranded by The Saints for the latest addition to Mushroom Group’s 50th-anniversary album.

Magic Dirt had exciting ideas for their cover of (I’m) Stranded. They were ready to add multiple overdubs, lead guitar breaks, and some alternative melodies before realising that a song like this one is better stripped back, with just some of the covering artist’s identity coming through.

The band’s inimitable vocalist, Adalita, said in a statement, “This is an Aussie punk rock anthem. It’s part of our musical heritage as a band and as Australian musicians. This song and the album were a part of what essentially cemented Australia’s reputation as Punk/Alternative Rock pioneers; the gates burst open with this tune, and everyone else followed. So it’s very close to our hearts.

“Its attitude and subject matter are instantly relatable – well, for us at least: alienated youth looking for a way out. It’s frantic from woah to go, relentless! It keeps weaving and spinning, pummelling you into a frenzy; it’s so good. Hypnotic, cathartic, and so catchy, too!”

Explaining why experimenting with the arrangement of (I’m) Stranded didn’t quite work out, Adalita added, “We threw a lot of stuff at it: lead breaks, overdubs, alternative melodies and ideas, but the song resisted a bunch of them, so we built it up and then stripped it back to just include what made the song good and fun. It’s still (I’m) Stranded, but it’s got that Magic Dirt feel to it.”

You can check out Magic Dirt’s great cover of a The Saints classic below.

Their cover of (I’m) Stranded is the latest single to feature on Mushroom 50, a celebratory album honouring 50 years of the Australian independent hit factory, Mushroom Records.

Magic Dirt’s cover is the ninth in a series of the Mushroom 50 project, following Mark Seymour’s take on Leonardo’s Bride’s Even When I’m Sleeping, WILSN and Budjerah’s take on Crowded House’s Better Be Home Soon, Dan Sultan’s stirring rendition of Archie Roach’s Took The Children Away, The Temper Trap’s spin on Under The Milky Way (originally by The Church), Missy Higgins’ version of Wide Open Road by The Triffids, Bliss N Eso’s cover of The Rubens’ Hoops, Paul Kelly’s tribute to the Sunnyboys with Alone With You and Gordi’s spin on Violent Soho’s Covered In Chrome. You can check out the other Mushroom 50 singles here.

This month and in November, Magic Dirt conclude their Young & Full Of The Devil 25th anniversary Australian tour. You can find the remaining tour dates below.

MAGIC DIRT

YOUNG AND FULL OF THE DEVIL

25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Thursday, 21 September 2023 - Sooki Lounge, Belgrave

Friday, 22 September 2023 - Barwon Club, Geelong

Saturday, 23 September 2023 - Haba, Rye

Friday, 3 November 2023 - Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough

Saturday, 4 November 2023 - Badlands, Perth

Sunday, 5 November 2023 - Prince of Wales, Bunbury

Tickets here.