Magic Man (band)

Magic Man
Origin Boston, Massachusetts
Genres Synthrock, Synthpop
Years active 2010–present
Labels Columbia
Website magicmanmusic.com
Members Alex Caplow
Sam Lee
Justine Bowe
Gabe Goodman
Joey Sulkowski

Magic Man is a five-piece major label synthrock band from Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 2010 by Alex Caplow (vocals) and Sam Vanderhoop Lee (guitars and keyboard). They later added high school friend, Gabe Goodman (bass), and college friends Justine Bowe (keyboards) and Joey Sulkowski (drums) to the roster, allowing the New England based group to become a full-fledged band. They released the EP You Are Here in September 2013, followed by their first major full-length release, Before the Waves, on July 8, 2014, under Columbia Records.

History

Real Life Color (2010)

Alex Caplow and Vanderhoop Lee were traveling around France, trading labor for room and board on a series of French organic farms. They used these experiences to influence the beginnings of Magic Man's music. As a laptop-based group, the duo favored dance-y synth-pop and began creating music. Under this lineup, Magic Man released their self-produced debut album, Real Life Color, on January 25, 2010.

You Are Here (2013)

With the changes to the lineup bringing Justine Bowe, Joey Sulkowski, and Daniel Radin to the band, Magic Man began to work on an EP. They released the EP, You Are Here, in September 2013. They then embarked on a U.S. tour supporting Walk the Moon, followed by an immediate mini-tour supporting Sir Sly.[1]

Before the Waves (2014–present)

Radin left in early 2014, to play with his other band, The Novel Ideas, and he was replaced by Gabe Goodman. In February 2014, the single "Paris" debuted at #39 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, eventually peaking at #33.[2] The song was accompanied by a music video.[3] In March 2014, the single hit #1 on Alt Nation's Alt 18 Countdown.[4] That same month, the band performed at the South by Southwest music festival.[5] Shortly thereafter, they embarked on a west-coast U.S. tour as headliners, to be followed by appearances on The Gospel Tour in support of Walk the Moon and Panic! at the Disco.[6]

On July 8, 2014, the group released its debut album Before the Waves. The record was produced by Alex Aldi (Passion Pit, Holy Ghost!), who also worked with the band 2013's You Are Here EP, and written by Alex Caplow and Sam Vanderhoop Lee. In support of Before the Waves, Magic Man embarked on their first headlining tour, joining The Gospel Tour alongside Panic! At The Disco and Walk the Moon for the duration of the summer.

Press

The band has been featured in Rolling Stone,[3] Glamour,[7] the Boston Globe,[8] and GQ, whose review described 'Before the Waves' as "12 tracks of alt joy."[6]

Discography

List of albums, with year released
Title Album details
Real Life Color
  • Released: January 25, 2010
  • Format: CD, Digital download
You Are Here EP
  • Released: September 6, 2013
  • Format: CD, vinyl, Digital download
Before the Waves
  • Released: July 8, 2014
  • Format: Vinyl, CD, Digital download

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Artist Spotlight – Magic Man". Audiophile. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Magic Man". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gentile, John. "Magic Man Find a Dark Twisted Fantasy in 'Paris' - Video Premiere". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Sullivan, Lindsey. "ALT NATION: Alt 18 Countdown (3/31/14)". Alt Nation. Sirius XM. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Magic Man". SXSW 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jannuzzi, John. "Magic Man's "Before the Waves" is 12 Tracks of Alt Joy". GQ. Condé Nast. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Sanders, Katie. "Hitting the Road With Magic Man: Watch the Band’s Exclusive SXSW Performance and Get the Scoop on Their Upcoming Album". Glamour. Condé Nast. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Reed, James. "Magic Man, ‘Before the Waves’". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved 11 July 2014.