Magdalena Bay (band) explained

Magdalena Bay
Landscape:yes
Origin:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genre:prog-pop[1]
Years Active:2016–present
Current Members:Mica Tenenbaum
Matthew Lewin

Magdalena Bay is an American alternative pop[2] duo from Miami, Florida, based in Los Angeles, California. The duo consists of couple Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, who write and produce together. They have released two studio albums, three EPs, and three mixtapes. The mixtapes are called Mini Mixes and are composed of short songs with accompanying homemade green screen music videos.

The duo released their debut studio album, Mercurial World, on October 8, 2021. They have been noted for their informational TikTok videos on the music industry and their kitschy DIY visuals.[3] [4] [5] Their second album, Imaginal Disk, was released on August 23, 2024.

Background

Tenenbaum was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was one year old, growing up in Miami. Lewin was born in Miami and is of Argentine descent on his father's side.[6] Both Tenenbaum and Lewin are Jewish. They originally met in high school at a program run by Live! Modern School of Music, where they were placed in a classic rock cover band and later began writing their own progressive rock music as Tabula Rasa.[7] [8] After that band broke up, they formed Magdalena Bay in 2016 while on vacation from college—Tenenbaum at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Lewin at Northeastern University in Boston—and continued to collaborate remotely.[9] The band was named after an administrator at Lewin's former job.

Career

They have cited Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX as influences. The duo released their first two EPs, Day/Pop and Night/Pop, in 2019, and signed with indie record label Luminelle Recordings later that year.[10] They later released two mixtapes and one EP: Mini Mix, Vol. 1 was released in July 2019, A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling was released in March 2020,[11] and Mini Mix, Vol. 2 was released in November 2020.

The couple released their debut studio album, Mercurial World, on October 8, 2021. The album's release was preceded by four singles: "Chaeri", "Secrets (Your Fire)", "You Lose!", and "Hysterical Us".[12] [13] [14] Music videos accompanying the album's singles were also released in promotion of the album.[15] A deluxe version of Mercurial World, containing fan-submitted "secrets", remixes, and two new songs, was released on September 23, 2022.[16]

Magdalena Bay performed at several prominent festivals in support of Mercurial World, including Primavera Sound in June 2022, Porter Robinson's Second Sky in October 2022, Coachella in April 2023 and Lollapalooza in August 2023.[17] [18] [19] [20] On April 13, 2023, they released a third mixtape, Mini Mix, Vol. 3.[21]

On May 28, 2024, Magdalena Bay released the single "Death & Romance", their first release under Mom + Pop Music,[22] and also announced the Imaginal Mystery tour.[23] On July 10, 2024, the single and accompanying music video for "Image" was released. In a post-music video livestream, the duo announced their second studio album, Imaginal Disk, which was released on August 23, 2024.[24] On July 31, 2024, the album's third single, "Tunnel Vision", was released.[25] The final single, "That's My Floor", was released on August 21, 2024.

Music

The group has been described as synthpop.[26] After the release of Imaginal Disk, Lewin said, "I think what would be a positive thing is if we start to be seen less as a pop group and more like an ‘alternative’ group." Paste described them as "a pop act with a rockist core", featuring progressive rock, shoegaze and disco influences.[27]

Discography

Artist:Magdalena Bay
Studio:2
Ep:6
Singles:35
Music Videos:33

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
DetailsPeak chart positions
US
Curr.

[28]
US
Heat
[29]
Mercurial World 59 18
Imaginal Disk 17 6

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Day/Pop
  • Released: January 15, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Night/Pop
  • Released: January 17, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Mini Mix, Vol. 1
  • Released: July 19, 2019
  • Label: Luminelle Recordings
  • Formats: 10-inch vinyl, cassette, digital download, streaming
A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling[30]
  • Released: March 13, 2020
  • Label: Luminelle Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, vinyl
Mini Mix, Vol. 2
  • Released: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Luminelle Recordings
  • Formats: 10-inch vinyl, digital download, streaming
Mini Mix, Vol. 3
  • Released: April 13, 2023
  • Label: Luminelle Recordings
  • Formats: 10-inch vinyl, digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Voc Pop"2016
"Head Over Heels"Day/Pop
"#wastehistime"2017
"Neon"Night/Pop
"Set Me Off"Day/Pop
"Redbone"Night/Pop
"Drive Alone"
"Move Slow"
"Waking Up"2018Day/Pop
"The Girls"rowspan="4"
"Ghost"
"Money Lover"2019
"Only If You Want It"
"Mine"Mini Mix, Vol. 1
"Venice"A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling
"Good Intentions"
"Killshot"
"Oh Hell"
"How to Get Physical"2020
"Airplane"
"Story"
"Live 4ever"Mini Mix, Vol. 2
"Woww"
"Hideaway"
"Sky2Fall"
"Killshot"
2021
"Chaeri"Mercurial World
"Secrets (Your Fire)"
"You Lose"
"Hysterical Us"
"Chaeri"
2022Mercurial World (Deluxe)
"Shotgun"
"All You Do"Mercurial World (Deluxe)
"Unconditional"
"Death & Romance"2024Imaginal Disk
"Image"
"Tunnel Vision"
"That's My Floor"

As featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Power"
2019Xoxo, Disco
"Superficial Love"
2020rowspan="2"
"Push Me Away"
2021
"Disappearing"
2024All I Ever Want Is Everything

Music videos

All music videos released via the band's official YouTube channel.[31]

TitleYearDirector
"Head over Heels"
2016Sally Hunter and Mica Tenenbaum
"Neon"2017Matthew Lewin
"The Girls"2018Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin
"Ghost"
"Money Lover"2019
"Afternoon in Heaven"
"Turning Off the Rain"
"El Dorado"
"Only If You Want It"
"U Wanna Dance?"
"Mine"
"Nothing Baby"
"NeverEnding Story"
"Venice"Pete Ohs
"Good Intentions"Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin
"Killshot"
"How to Get Physical"2020
"Live 4ever"
"Woww"
"Hideaway"
"Sky2Fall"
"Body"
"I Don't Want to Cry Anymore"2021
"Chaeri"Luke Orlando
"Secrets (Your Fire)"Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin
"You Lose"
"Hysterical Us"Ian Clontz
"Dreamcatching"2022Felix Geen
"All You Do"Luke Orlando
"Unconditional"Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin
"The Beginning"Michael Garber
"Death & Romance"2024Amanda Kramer
"Image"
"That's My Floor"

Production discography

TitleYearArtist(s)Album
"Running Out of Time"[32] 2023Lil YachtyLet's Start Here
"Wishing On You"[33] JihyoZone

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Let the Bees Do Their Buzz: Spinning the 'Imaginal Disk' With Magdalena Bay. Sawdey. Evan. SPIN. August 26, 2024. August 26, 2024. August 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240826172038/https://www.spin.com/2024/08/let-the-bees-do-their-buzz-spinning-the-imaginal-disk-with-magdalena-bay/. live.
  2. Web site: Magdalena Bay: ""I think what would be a positive thing is if we start to be seen less as a pop group and more like an ‘alternative’ group" Interview . 2024-08-21 . The Line of Best Fit . en-US.
  3. Web site: Zhang. Cat. A Year in Music on TikTok. 24 August 2021. Pitchfork. 21 December 2020 . Conde Nast. October 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145725/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/tiktok-songs-2020/. live.
  4. Web site: Fulton . Nick . Magdalena Bay's uplifting pop is what we need right now . i-D . Vice Media . 24 August 2021 . October 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145725/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/z3b8p5/magdalena-bay-a-little-rhythm-and-a-wicked-feeling-interview . live .
  5. Web site: Zhang . Cat . Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You . Pitchfork . 20 July 2021 . Conde Nast . 24 August 2021 . October 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145727/https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-interview/ . live .
  6. Web site: Tenenbaum . Mica . Self-Portrait: Magdalena Bay . Under the Radar Magazine . 30 September 2022 . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930055148/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/self_portrait_magdalena_bay . live .
  7. Web site: Zenyatta . Eugene . Five questions: Magdalena Bay . Philadelphia Weekly . 9 October 2021 . 4 March 2020 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://philadelphiaweekly.com/five-questions-magdalena-bay/ . live .
  8. Web site: Magdalena Bay – Luminelle Recordings . luminellerecs.com . 9 October 2021 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152748/https://luminellerecs.com/artists/magdalena-bay/ . live .
  9. Web site: Gibbs . Jessica . Even From Afar, Magdalena Bay Represents Miami With Its Glistening Pop . Miami New Times . Voice Media Group . 24 August 2021 . October 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010150641/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/interview-with-pop-duo-magdalena-bay-11636418 . live .
  10. Web site: NEW VIDEO: Magdalena Bay – "Mine" . HighClouds . 9 October 2021 . 8 July 2019 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152747/https://highclouds.org/magdalena-bay-mine/ . live .
  11. Web site: Magdalena Bay: A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling EP . 2023-05-15 . Pitchfork . en-US . 2023-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127234557/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/magdalena-bay-a-little-rhythm-and-a-wicked-feeling-ep/ . live .
  12. Web site: Russell` . Scott . Magdalena Bay Announce Debut Album Mercurial World, Share Lead Single "Chaeri" . pastemagazine.com . 9 October 2021 . en . 29 June 2021 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-debut-album-mercurial-world/ . live .
  13. Web site: Petrillo . Lisa . Musical Miami Duo 'Magdalena Bay' Gaining Attention & Fans . CBS Miami . 9 October 2021 . 6 October 2021 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009154109/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/musical-miami-duo-magdalena-bay-gaining-attention-fans/ . live .
  14. Web site: Snapes . Laura . Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World review – poolside pop with seductive charm . the Guardian . 9 October 2021 . en . 8 October 2021 . October 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/08/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-review-luminelle . live .
  15. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Meet Magdalena Bay, the Maverick Duo Crafting Sweet-and-Sour Pop Bangers . 2023-05-15 . Vogue . en-US.
  16. Web site: 2022-09-20 . Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Unconditional": Listen . 2022-09-23 . Stereogum . en . 2022-09-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925150023/https://www.stereogum.com/2200078/magdalena-bay-unconditional/music/ . live .
  17. Web site: Pappis . Konstantinos . 2022-06-09 . 6 Highlights From Primavera a la Ciutat 2022 . 2024-09-15 . Our Culture . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Kato . Yoshi . October 28, 2022 . Porter Robinson's Second Sky festival returns to the Bay Area. Here's what you need to know . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524054403/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/porter-robinsons-second-sky-festival-returns-to-the-bay-area-heres-what-you-need-to-know . 2023-05-24 . 2023-05-24 . Datebook . en-US.
  19. Web site: Callwood . Brett . 2023-04-21 . Magdalena Bay and Their Mercurial Coachella – LA Weekly . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426165454/https://www.laweekly.com/magdalena-bay-and-their-mercurial-coachella/ . 2023-04-26 . 2023-04-26 . www.laweekly.com . en-US.
  20. Web site: Bloom . Madison . 2 August 2023 . Lollapalooza 2023 Hulu Livestream Schedule & Details Announced . 4 September 2024 . Pitchfork.
  21. Web site: 2023-04-13 . Magdalena Bay Release New Seven-Song EP 'Mini Mix Vol. 3': Stream . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514095851/https://www.stereogum.com/2220200/stream-magdalena-bays-new-seven-song-ep-mini-mix-vol-3/music/ . 2023-05-14 . 2023-05-15 . Stereogum . en.
  22. Web site: Magdalena Bay sign to Mom+Pop and share their new single, "Death & Romance" . 2024-06-08 . 2024-06-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608031941/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/magdalena-bay-sign-to-mom-pop-and-share-their-new-single-death-romance . live .
  23. Web site: Corcoran . Nina . 2024-05-28 . Magdalena Bay Announce Tour, Share New Song “Death & Romance” . 2024-05-28 . Pitchfork . en-US . 2024-05-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528145718/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-tour-share-new-song-death-and-romance-listen/ . live .
  24. Web site: Monroe . Jazz . 2024-07-10 . Magdalena Bay Announce New Album Imaginal Disk, Share Song and Video . 2024-07-10 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  25. Web site: 2024-07-31 . Magdalena Bay Share New Single "Tunnel Vision": Listen . 2024-08-03 . Stereogum . en . 2024-08-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803070502/https://www.stereogum.com/2274102/magdalena-bay-tunnel-vision/music/ . live .
  26. Web site: Magdalena Bay Explore New Territory on Extraterrestrial Single “Death & Romance” . 2024-09-15 . FLOOD . en.
  27. Web site: The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far .
  28. Current Album Sales: December 4, 2021. Billboard. August 11, 2022. August 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220811194701/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2021-12-04/. live.
  29. Heatseekers Albums: December 4, 2021. Billboard. January 5, 2022. January 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220105040643/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2021-12-04/. live.
  30. Web site: A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling – Magdalena Bay . Amazon . 9 October 2021 . November 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110050311/https://www.amazon.com/Little-Rhythm-Wicked-Feeling-Explicit/dp/B084WQDMD7 . live .
  31. Web site: Magdalena Bay – YouTube . 2023-05-15 . www.youtube.com . 2023-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419211949/https://www.youtube.com/@MagdalenaBay/videos . live .
  32. Web site: Stream Lil Yachty's new psychedelic rock-inspired album; credits include Mac DeMarco, Alex G, Magdalena Bay & more. BrooklynVegan. January 27, 2023. January 31, 2023. Andrew. Sacher. January 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230130190830/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/stream-lil-yachtys-new-psychedelic-rock-inspired-album-credits-include-mac-demarco-alex-g-magdalena-bay-more/. live.
  33. Web site: JIHYO The 1st Mini Album "ZONE" Tracklist. Twice Official Website. July 31, 2023. July 31, 2023. September 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902192752/https://twice.jype.com/Default/NoticeView?AnSeq=4789. live.