Magdalena Bay

Biography

Magdalena Bay is an American alternative pop duo formed by Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, both originally from Miami, Florida. Their musical partnership began in high school, where they played together in a classic rock covers band and later formed the progressive rock group Tabula Rasa in 2011. After Tabula Rasa disbanded due to college relocations, Tenenbaum and Lewin continued collaborating long-distance while attending college in Boston and Philadelphia, respectively. In 2016, they officially launched Magdalena Bay, shifting their focus from prog-rock to synth-driven, artful pop music.

The duo's sound is characterized by catchy melodies, lush synth textures, and playful yet sophisticated production, drawing inspiration from artists like Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX. Magdalena Bay released their first EPs, 'Day/Pop' and 'Night/Pop', in 2019, followed by a series of mixtapes and their acclaimed debut album 'Mercurial World' in 2021. Their music often blends retro and futuristic elements, with nods to their prog-rock roots and a knack for crafting infectious pop hooks. The band has performed at major festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Primavera Sound, steadily building a reputation for their inventive approach to pop and immersive live shows.

Magdalena Bay is recognized for their DIY ethos, producing their own music and visuals, and engaging fans through interactive online experiences. Their legacy lies in their ability to merge experimental pop sensibilities with accessible songwriting, making them influential figures in the current wave of art pop and synthpop.

Fun Facts

• Magdalena Bay began as a long-distance project while Mica was in Philadelphia and Matthew was in Boston, collaborating remotely before moving to Los Angeles.
• Their first song as Magdalena Bay was a reimagined cover of Tears for Fears' 'Head Over Heels.'
• Before Magdalena Bay, the duo played in a progressive rock band called Tabula Rasa, inspired by acts like Rush and Genesis.
• They are a couple in real life, and their creative partnership began in high school through a music program.

Members

• Matthew Lewin
• Mica Tenenbaum

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Grimes - Cited as an artistic and stylistic influence, inspiring their approach to synthpop and experimental pop. (General influence on Magdalena Bay's sound and aesthetic.) [2019-present]
• Chairlift - Influence on songwriting and pop experimentation. (General influence on Magdalena Bay's melodic style.) [2019-present]
• Charli XCX - Influence on production and pop sensibility. (General influence on Magdalena Bay's pop direction.) [2019-present]

Key Collaborators

• Mica Tenenbaum - Vocalist, lyricist, and co-producer; one half of the duo. (All Magdalena Bay releases.) [2016-present]
• Matthew Lewin - Instrumentalist, producer, and co-writer; one half of the duo. (All Magdalena Bay releases.) [2016-present]
• Mariano Sarrate - Bassist in their previous band Tabula Rasa. (Tabula Rasa EPs and albums.) [2011-2016]
• Nick Villamizar - Drummer in Tabula Rasa. (Tabula Rasa EPs and albums.) [2011-2016]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging synthpop and indie pop artists - Magdalena Bay's innovative pop production and DIY approach have inspired a new generation of indie pop musicians. (General influence on contemporary synthpop releases.) [2021-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Killshot - Slowed + Reverb (Killshot (Slowed + Reverb))
2. Image (Imaginal Disk)
3. Killshot (A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling)
4. Killshot (Killshot)
5. Death & Romance (Imaginal Disk)
6. Killing Time (Imaginal Disk)
7. Love Is Everywhere (Imaginal Disk)
8. Cry for Me (Imaginal Disk)
9. Fear, Sex (Imaginal Disk)
10. Vampire in the Corner (Imaginal Disk)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-pop, #electronic, #neo-psychedelia