Black Magic and Bad Choices

SYNC LICENSING & RIGHTS

Sync context and uses:

“Black Magic and Bad Choices” is a dark, guitar-driven blues-rock track with a cinematic sense of danger and consequence. The title immediately evokes temptation, forbidden forces and the fallout from choices made when desire overrides better judgement—making it a strong fit for scenes involving morally grey characters, seduction, deception, revenge, occult undertones or a protagonist heading down the wrong path.

Its gritty, classic-rock character gives it a natural home in crime dramas, psychological thrillers, neo-noir, supernatural stories, outlaw narratives and character-driven films, particularly when a scene needs swagger and menace rather than outright horror. The track's blues-rock DNA and connection to classic artists such as Bad Company and Nazareth give it an authentic, timeless quality rather than a stereotypical “horror soundtrack” feel.

Master Rights Owner:

Helge Rognstad

Publishing Rights Owner / Label:

Helge Rognstad

One-Stop master clearance /licensing possible?

Yes, Helge Rognstad own both songwriting and publishing for this song.

Licensing Contact:

Helge Rognstad (The Fluffy Jackets) – contact link

Genre:

Blues Rock

Subgenre:

Classic Blues Rock / Southern Rock / Roots Rock

Moods:

Dark, Gritty, Sinister, Seductive, Dangerous, Tense, Defiant, Brooding, Rebellious

Themes:

Temptation, Bad Decisions, Consequences, Forbidden Desire, Moral Conflict, Manipulation, Revenge, Risk, Darkness, Redemption

Similar Artists:

Bad Company, Free, Nazareth, ZZ Top, The Black Crowes, Gary Moore, Rival Sons, The Rolling Stones

Keywords:

Black magic, bad choices, temptation, occult, danger, crime, thriller, noir, outlaw, revenge, seduction, toxic relationship, moral ambiguity, supernatural, dark blues, classic rock, gritty guitar, swagger, tension, consequences, antihero, villain, night driving, bar fight, confrontation, descent into darkness

PERSONNEL & PRODUCTION

Personnel

Helge Rognstad – vocals, guitar, bass, drums

Recorded at:

The Fluffy Jackets Sound Studio, Bergen, Norway.

Instrumentation and recording equipment used:

Male vocals, guitars, bass and drums.

Helge Rognstad sings and plays all instruments on "Black Magic and Bad Choices".

Vocals were recorded via a Neumann 103 TLS microphone, through the Avalon 737 microphone preamp and into the Luna DAW. The Avalon preamp drive was set at 50%, and the output was adjusted to suit the voice, ensuring no clipping occurred. For EQ adjustments on the Avalon 737, +3 was added to the bass, +2 to the low mid, with no adjustments to the hi mids or treble. The compressor on the Avalon was not used (compression was applied later during the mixing stage).

The rhythm and lead guitar parts in this song consist of three electric guitars, interwoven to stand out where needed in the mix.

The first guitar used is a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior, played through a Marshall 1958x, a handwired 18 watt valve amp connected to the Fulltone Plimsoul and Boss Overdrive pedals. The second guitar, a 1975 Gibson Flying V, was also played through the Marshall 1958x amplifier.

The third guitar is a 2014 Fender Classic Player '60s Series Stratocaster (made in Mexico), played through the Marshall 1958x with a Boss distortion pedal. The intro features a blend of the Les Paul Junior and the Gibson Flying V, both played through the 18w Marshall 1958x. These guitars are panned hard left and hard right, creating a wide stereo effect. A Fender acoustic 6-string guitar is also used to double the bass track, especially in the second verse.

Bass was recorded directly into the DAW via the Avalon 737 preamp using a Fender Player Series Precision Bass (made in Mexico).

Drums are programmed using the BFD3 plugin inside the Luna DAW. The drums are also enhanced by Luna's Shape instrument (providing conga fills) and an egg shaker, which was recorded via the Neumann microphone through the Avalon 737.

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MEDIA AND LISTENING

Behind the music:

• Making of The Rise and Fall of The Songwriter (website article)
• Making of Black Magic and Bad Choices (podcast interview from 2024)

More information about the equipment used:

• Building The Fluffy Jackets Sound Studio — Includes including signal flow, microphones, preamps.
• Guitars, Amps & Pedals at The Fluffy Jackets Sound Studio — overview of guitars & equipment at the studio.
• Five guitars previously owned by Manny Charlton — 5 guitars aquired from the Nazareth guitarist and producer.
• Gibson Flying V — The Story Behind the Guitar — history of the Manny Charlton / John Birch-modified Flying V.
• Gibson Flying V Featurette — video concerning the guitar previously owned by Manny Charlton (Nazareth).

Streaming (external link):

• Spotify

Available in physical formats:

CD, Vinyl

Official Store:

www.fluffyjackets.co.uk

DISCLAIMER

The information published on this page is provided in good faith and is intended as a reference for music industry professionals, including music supervisors, licensing agencies, publishers, broadcasters, distributors, journalists, researchers, and other parties seeking information about the recordings featured on The Fluffy Jackets – 20 Greatest (2007–2027).

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