Magic Wands
Magic Wands | |
---|---|
Chris and Dexy Valentine of Magic Wands Chris and Dexy Valentine of Magic Wands | |
Background information | |
Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
Genres | Dream pop |
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | Ark Recordings, Bright Antenna, Cleopatra Records |
Members | Chris Valentine Dexy Valentine Tommy Alexander Keith Crutchfield |
Website | magiclovedreams |
Magic Wands is a dream pop[1] band, originally from Nashville, Tennessee and currently based in Los Angeles, California. The band refers to their sound as "lovewave".[2]
History
The band was formed by Chris Valentine (guitar, vocals) and Dexy Valentine (guitar, keyboards, vocals) in summer 2008, after Chris found a copy of Dexy's song, "Teenage Love", online and the two got in touch.[3] Dexy moved from Los Angeles to Nashville and the two began to write music together. The name of the band stemmed from the gift of a magic wand from Chris to Dexy while the two were living on opposite sides of the country.[4]
Their first single, "Black Magic", was released on 7" vinyl in 2008 by Ark Recordings.[5] In late 2009, the band signed to indie label Bright Antenna and released their first EP, Magic Love & Dreams, recorded in New York City with producer John Hill (Santigold/Lykke Li).[6] In a review in Prefix Magazine, the album was scored 7 out of 10, with critic Matthew Richardson writing, "The whole EP is covered with the cosmic haze of dream-pop, while the Valentines maintain the attitude of punk kids".[7]
On February 17, 2010, RCRD LBL released a download of the track "Warrior", remixed by The xx.[8]
The Wands' debut album, Aloha Moon, was announced on the Spin website on February 7, 2012, along with a stream of the single "Space". Reviewer David Marchese wrote that the track was "a sexy and propulsive stunner...a really cool song, suggestive of the darker side of '80s pop and brighter side of falling in love".[9]
Aloha Moon was released on April, 24, 2012 by Bright Antenna.[10] The band toured as openers for The Jesus and Mary Chain in summer 2012.
Magic Wands relocated to Los Angeles, and added two new members: bassist Tommy Alexander and drummer Keith Crutchfield.
The band's second album, Jupiter, is due for release on February 26, 2016 on Cleopatra Records.
Discography
Studio albums
- Aloha Moon (2012, Bright Antenna)
- Jupiter (2016, Cleopatra Records)
EPs
- Magic Love & Dreams 12" and CD EP (2009, Bright Antenna)
Singles
- "Black Magic" 7" (2008, Ark Recordings)
- "Warrior (The xx Remix)" digital single (2010, RCRD LBL)
- "Black Magic (D. Sardy Mix)" promo CDr (2012, Bright Antenna)
References
- ^ "Magic Wands Info on Facebook". August 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
- ^ http://www.vanyaland.com/2013/06/05/feeling-1964-lovewave-a-new-magic-wands-ep-is-in-the-works/
- ^ Lester, Paul (May 23, 2008). "No 322: Magic Wands". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Magic Wands Interview: SXSW 2010". March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Magic Wands - Black Magic (Discogs)". Jan 1, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ "Magic Love & Dreams Picture Disc". June 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ "Prefix Mag Review of Magic Love & Dreams". August 11, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Magic Wands - Warrior (The xx Remix)". Feb 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ "First Spin: Hear Magic Wands' Dream-Pop Jam 'Space'". Feb 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ^ "Consequence of Sound article w/ Aloha Moon Tracklisting". February 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
External links
Website *[1]