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MAGIC GIANT
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
Members
Websitewww.magicgiant.com

Magic Giant (often stylized as MAGIC GIANT) is an American indie folk band formed in Los Angeles, California in early 2014. The group consists of Austin Bisnow (lead vocals, cello, synthesizer, percussion), Zambricki Li (viola, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, cello, mandolin, octave mandolin, dobro, lap steel, backing vocals) and Zang (acoustic guitar, cello, bass, percussion, backing vocals).

Magic Giant released their self titled EP Magic Giant in 2015 and their studio album In the Wind in 2017. The band is best known for its single "Set On Fire" that charted top 30 in Billboard's Alternative chart, and "Window" which has so far charted top 40 on the Hot AC radio chart.[1][2]

History

2014–2017: Formation and EP

Magic Giant was formed in early 2014 when songwriting partners Austin Bisnow and Zambricki Li were impressed by a video they saw of now-bandmate Brian Zaghi (known by his stage name, Zang) salsa dancing.[3][4][5][6] The group name originated as a reference from a TED Talk, in which visual artist Peter Tunney described his mentor, Jonas Salk, as a "giant", then clarifying it was not the man's physical nature he was describing, but his ability to think big. Inspired by this, the band motto became "You don't have to be big to be a giant".[7]

In 2015, Magic Giant released its freshman self-titled EP, notably featuring Dave Matthews Band’s Rashawn Ross and Capital Cities’ Spencer Ludwig and made the debut live performance of the year on KEXP's The Morning Show hosted by John Richards.[8] The group's song, "Let It Burn," was called "a summer festival anthem" by NPR.[9]New Music Seminar announced Magic Giant as an 'Artist on the Verge' Class of 2015.[10][11] Past artists have included Macklemore, Banks, and Fitz and The Tantrums.

In 2016, the band played festivals including Electric Forest, Wanderlust and Lightning in a Bottle and sold out venues including the Troubadour.[12][13][14][15] Billboard described its live show as "joyful" and "inspiring mass dance-alongs." The trio’s song, "Set on Fire"[16][17] ranked #4 on Spotify's US Viral 50 and #1 on KROQ's Locals Only, presented by radio personality, Kat Corbett.[18] The group toured with Mike Posner, Beats Antique and Eric Hutchinson.[19][20][21]

2017–present: In the Wind

The group released their debut album, In the Wind, on May 19, 2017.[22][23]

The band was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month, appearing on NBC's Today show with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford where they performed live their hit "Set on Fire".[24] The group was also chosen as ALT 98.7's Artist in Residence.[25]

In June, Rolling Stone named the group one of 10 New Artists You Need to Know, calling "Set on Fire" the "perfect music festival fare."[26] Matt Pinfield named the song his Trending Track.[27]

"Set on Fire" had reached the top 25 on Mediabase's US Alternative Chart as of July 3, 2017.[28]

Their newer single "Window" had reached top 40 on the Hot AC radio chart as of December 10, 2017.[2]

The band toured with The Revivalists[29][30] and Atlas Genius,[31] and played summer festivals including Firefly, WayHome, and Arroyo Seco.[32][33]

In 2018, the group was announced on Coachella's lineup.[34] Billboard named Magic Giant one of the "10 Awesome Bands playing Coachella 2018".[35]

Musical style and influences

The trio has drawn comparisons to bands such as Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Walk the Moon, Of Monsters and Men and Mumford & Sons.[36][37][38][39] The group has cited influences including Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Julian Casablancas, John Hartford and The Avett Brothers.[40]

Members

Austin Bisnow

Bisnow is lead vocals and plays cello, synthesizer, percussion. He co-wrote/produced the title track for David Guetta's Listen featuring John Legend and has written singles for artists such as Steve Aoki, Big Time Rush, Paul Oakenfold and Jon Batiste & Stay Human.[41] In addition, he teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Benny Blanco to create the non-profit, Get Well Soon Tour, whose mission is to bring joy to hospitalized children through surprise visits from superstar musicians (Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5).[42][43]

Zambricki Li

Li plays viola, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, cello, mandolin, octave mandolin, dobro, lap steel and sings backing vocals for the band. When Li was 12, he got hit by a car, and when he came out of a coma a few days later, taught himself violin in a matter of days through a rare brain trauma reorganization known as Acquired Savant Syndrome.[44][45] Before moving to Los Angeles, Li studied under fiddle player Buddy Spicher (Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan) and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement (Johnny Cash, Ray Charles) in Nashville, TN.[46] Li wrote and performed an original song for the film Paper Heart starring Michael Cera.[47][48]

Zang

Brian Zaghi, known by his stage name Zang, plays acoustic guitar, cello, upright bass, electric bass, percussion and sings backing vocals for the band. Zang is also a salsa dancer and Los Angeles native.[49] When Zang was younger, he played upright bass in the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra.[44]

Discography

Albums

  • 2017: In the Wind

EPs

  • 2015: Magic Giant
  • 2018: In The Wind (Acoustic)

Singles

  • 2017: "Window"
  • 2016: "Set on Fire"

References

  1. ^ "Alternative Songs: Top Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  2. ^ a b "Songs By The Script, Clean Bandit, Magic Giant, Post Malone Enter Top 40 At Hot AC Radio". Headline Planet. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  3. ^ "Interview with Los Angeles-Based Band Magic Giant - DuJour". DuJour. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  4. ^ "Magic Giant on Recording their New Album in Nature While on Tour - Page 2 of 4 - VIVA GLAM MAGAZINE". 11 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Issue #47".
  6. ^ "Q&A: Magic Giant finds music in nature on 'In the Wind' - RIFF Magazine". www.riffmagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  7. ^ "Next Wave: Magic Giant".
  8. ^ "Con Bro Chill / Magic Giant - Tickets - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA - October 21st, 2015".
  9. ^ "John Richards".
  10. ^ "John Fullbright, Twin Peaks on New Music Seminar's 'Artist on the Verge' Class of 2015".
  11. ^ "AOV Top 100 Class of 2015 - New Music Seminar".
  12. ^ "Magic Giant performing at the Electric Forest Music Festival at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan on June 25, 2016. (Photo: Rob Harbaugh/Aesthetic Magazine)". 1 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Magic Giant · Wanderlust".
  14. ^ "AXS talks with LIB headliners Magic Giant and Nahko Bear".
  15. ^ "Magic Giant Sign To Washington Square".
  16. ^ "Magic Giant's Breathtaking "Set on Fire" Video: Exclusive Premiere".
  17. ^ "Paul Oakenfold & Helen Hayes!".
  18. ^ Corbett, Kat. "Locals Only Playlist 7/10/16: Davis, Blondfire, Grouplove, & More - Listen and Vote".
  19. ^ "Mike Posner, Magic Giant".
  20. ^ "Beats Antique @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre w/ Magic Giant & Thriftworks".
  21. ^ http://dola.com/events/2016/10/12/eric-hutchinson
  22. ^ https://www.axs.com/magic-giant-streams-new-album-in-the-wind-out-on-may-19-118591
  23. ^ https://milehighfeedback.com/2017/05/15/magic-giant-new-album-in-the-wind-out-may-19-debut-tv-performance-on-today-on-may-17-in-denver-june-3/
  24. ^ Magic Giant perform ‘Set on Fire’ live on TODAY
  25. ^ "Introducing Our May Artist in Residence: Magic Giant | Artist In Residence | ALT 98.7". ALT 98.7. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  26. ^ "10 New Artists You Need to Know Now". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  27. ^ "MAGIC GIANT - "Set On Fire" #TT". 2 Hours with Matt Pinfield. 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  28. ^ "Mediabase 24/7 - 7 Day Charts". www.mediabase.com. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  29. ^ http://thefillmore.com/event/the-revivalists/
  30. ^ http://sdcitybeat.com/events/the-revivalists-magic-giant-sold-out/
  31. ^ "Magic Giant Announces Fall Tour Dates - Supporting Atlas Genius -". ventsmagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  32. ^ "Interview: Magic Giant embrace nature, recording in a Tree and going naked for a good cause". AXS. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  33. ^ "Arroyo Seco Weekend". Arroyo Seco Weekend. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  34. ^ "Coachella Releases Massive Lineup For 2018; Beyoncé, Eminem, & The Weeknd to Headline". EDM Identity. 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  35. ^ "Beyond the Headliners: Here Are 10 Awesome Bands Playing Coachella 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  36. ^ "MAGIC GIANT: Greetings from Magic Giant".
  37. ^ Carradini, Stephen. "Independent Clauses Magic Giant: Muse, Imagine Dragons, and Mumford and Sons walk into a bar…".
  38. ^ "Los Angeles indie folk band Magic Giant kick off..."
  39. ^ "NOW PLAYING: A Baeble NEXT Session with Magic Giant". Baeble Music. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  40. ^ "Magic Giant on Recording their New Album in Nature While on Tour - Page 4 of 4 - VIVA GLAM MAGAZINE". 11 August 2016.
  41. ^ "An Exclusive Interview with Magic Giant". 4 December 2015.
  42. ^ "Bruno Mars Sings for Patients". 29 December 2011.
  43. ^ "Fun. Visit Children's Hospital".
  44. ^ a b "Interview with Los Angeles-Based Band Magic Giant - DuJour". DuJour. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  45. ^ "Q&A: Magic Giant finds music in nature on 'In the Wind' - RIFF Magazine". www.riffmagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  46. ^ https://sollamusicacademy.org/2013/01/john-zambricki/
  47. ^ "Zambricki - Airport Goodbye (from the film Paper Heart) - Video Dailymotion". 9 July 2010.
  48. ^ "Music from Paper Heart".
  49. ^ "EILE Magazine – July 2015 (Vol.3, Issue 2)".
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