The Blanket Forts is the brainchild of New York City musician Connor MacGinnis. His soothing songs create the perfect blend of pop hooks and atmospheric dynamics which you can hear in full effect on his latest album “Three Black Holes”.
I caught up with Conor to talk about his early musical experiences, how he started writing songs and the making of the new record.
CMM-What was the first music that really made an impact on you as a kid and what artist or band did you enjoy the most?
Conor-I grew up on a lot of Christian music, pop rap and dance music, but I can remember the first band I absolutely fell in love with was My Chemical Romance. I was so inspired by their dark yet hopeful mystique and I really dug their whole ethos and the way they carried themselves. They seemed to create popular culture by being counter to it which I think is so impressive. From then on I knew I wanted to be a musician, I just didn’t know what my lane was yet.
CMM-How did you start writing songs and developing your own sound?
Conor-I used to lack confidence in my musicianship which gravitated me toward DAWs and music production. A lot of my music was/is informed by and written in ableton and using breaks or interesting loops and synth patches. Slowly through the confidence of being able to compose my music there I got better and better and singing and playing as well.
CMM-You recently released an album called “Three Black Holes”. What was the writing and recording process like and were there any particular pieces of gear you used to get the sound you were looking for?
Conor-A lot of the album was written on the go. I had no studio, barely enough money to eat and no job for a lot of this year. I was only able to throw guitars on when I had access to my brother Ian and my bud Tristan’s home studios. The drums are a combination of break excavating and playing on drum pads in ableton. I also pitched and stretched a lot of string samples and I have this sweet chinese sample pack that’s been my go-to. It’s really an album defined by limitation. I think it brought out music that I could have never planned to make if I had a bigger budget or a comfortable spot. I’m thankful for the trials because they led me to something novel that I think a lot of people will connect with.
CMM-If you could do a score for any film director, who would it be and what would the film be about?
Conor-It would be for Richard Linklater and it would be about whatever he wants it to be about. My only caveat is that Ethan Hawke has to be in it.
CMM-Anything coming up?
Conor-I’ve got more than an album of material I’m working on recording in NY as well as a lot of shows to be announced soon for 2026 in the northeast US (and possibly canada??) Working on a neat video doc from the first few months of New York I’m excited to share on my youtube.
