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Magic Wands
OriginNashville, Tennessee, United States
GenresDream pop, post-punk, new wave
Years active2008–present
LabelsArk Recordings, Bright Antenna, Cleopatra Records, Casa del Puente Discos, Metropolis Records
MembersChris Valentine
Dexy Valentine
Websitemagicwandsband.com

Magic Wands is an American rock band, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and currently based in Los Angeles, California.

History

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The band was formed by Dexy Valentine (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Chris Valentine (guitar, vocals) in summer 2008, after Chris found a copy of Dexy's song "Teenage Love" and the two got in touch.[1] 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.[2]

Their first single, "Black Magic", was released on 7" vinyl in 2008 by Ark Recordings.[3] 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).[4] Prefix's review gave the album a 7 out of 10 score, 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".[5]

On February 17, 2010, RCRD LBL released a download of the track "Warrior", remixed by the xx.[6]

The Wands' debut studio 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".[7]

On April 5, 2012, RCRD LBL premiered the band's non-album cover of the Madonna song "Burning Up".[8]

Aloha Moon was released on April 24, 2012, by Bright Antenna.[9] The band toured as openers for the Jesus and Mary Chain in summer 2012.

Magic Wands relocated to Los Angeles, and recorded their second album, Jupiter[10] The album marked a change in approach, as Dexy Valentine noted.[10]

While the album was being mixed, Dexy Valentine reformed her prior band, Bonfire Beach, self-releasing the digital album Lit in 2013, issuing an eponymous 2014 album on Cleopatra Records and touring with the Dandy Warhols.[10] Meanwhile, Chris Valentine traveled, studied ancient sound healing[10] Magic Wands also contributed a cover of David Bowie's "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" to the 2015 Cleopatra tribute album A Salute to the Thin White Duke – The Songs of David Bowie.

Jupiter was eventually released by Cleopatra on February 26, 2016.[10][11] [12][13]

On May 18, 2018, the band released their third studio album, Abrakadabra on Argentine label Casa Del Puente Discos.[14] That same month, Magic Wands also self-released the Portals digital-only compilation album collecting B-sides, demos and other unreleased recordings. A vinyl edition of Abrakadabra was released on July 13 by US label Etxe Records.,[15] Abrakadabra on Los Angeles, California, and Washington, DC–based label [1] on vinyl offering a full-length digital download with bonus track "Puzzle of Love".[16] Argentina based label Casa Del Puente Discos is providing CD versions of the release.[14]

Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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Singles

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Compilation albums

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  • Portals (2018, self-released)

Compilation appearances

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References

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  1. ^ Lester, Paul (May 23, 2008). "No 322: Magic Wands". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  2. ^ "Magic Wands Interview: SXSW 2010". March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  3. ^ "Magic Wands - Black Magic (Discogs)". Discogs. Jan 1, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  4. ^ "Magic Love & Dreams Picture Disc". June 7, 2009. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  5. ^ "Prefix Review of Magic Love & Dreams". August 11, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  6. ^ "EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Magic Wands - Warrior (The xx Remix)". Feb 17, 2010. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  7. ^ "First Spin: Hear Magic Wands' Dream-Pop Jam 'Space'". Feb 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  8. ^ "PREMIERE: Magic Wands - Burning Up (Madonna Cover)". Rcrd Lbl. Archived from the original on 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  9. ^ "Consequence of Sound article w/ Aloha Moon Tracklisting". February 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Album of the Month | Magic Wands "Jupiter"". 26 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Exclusive Track Premiere: 'Love Soldier,' Magic Wands - Interview Magazine". Interview Magazine. 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
  12. ^ Interviewmagazine.com
  13. ^ "Dexy Valentine Talks New Magic Wands Album Abrakadabra, Upcoming Tour, Classic Tracks, and More". 16 March 2018.
  14. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Magic Wands 'Abrakadabra' (LP) Premiere". 17 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Etxe to Release New Magic Wands LP!". 9 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Magic Wands - Abrakadabra [Vinyl]".
  17. ^ "Illuminate, by Magic Wands".

http://post-punk.com/los-angeles-dreamwave-outfit-magic-wands-wash-the-tears-away//

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