Magdalena Bay (duo)

Magdalena Bay is an American alternative pop[6] duo formed in 2016 from Miami, Florida, and currently based in Los Angeles, California. The duo consists of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, who met in high school. Both members write and produce together. They have released two studio albums, three EPs, and three mixtapes titled Mini Mixes.

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, often inspired by early-2000s internet culture.[7][8][9] Their second album, Imaginal Disk, was released on August 23, 2024 to widespread critical acclaim.

History

1995–2016: Early lives, Tabula Rasa

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.[10] Both Tenenbaum and Lewin are Jewish.[10] 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 and performing their own progressive rock music with other musicians (including current Magdalena Bay touring drummer Nick Villa) as Tabula Rasa,[11][12][8] releasing a self-titled EP,[13] and a self-titled studio album.[14]

2016–2019: Formation, first singles and covers

After Tabula Rasa released their final album, Crimson,[15] Tenenbaum and Lewin 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.[16] The duo reconnected creatively over their appreciation for alternative pop artists Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX, and wanted to recreate the sounds they were inspired by in a new project, which they named after Maggie Bay, an administrator at Lewin's former job.[9][11] Their first single, "Voc Pop", was released on June 1, which has been since removed from streaming services and YouTube.[17] In September 2016, the duo released a cover of "Head over Heels" by Tears For Fears, accompanied by a music video. 2017 saw the releases of the singles "Neon" (alongside a music video), "Set Me Off", "Drive Alone", and "Move Slow", and 2018 saw the releases of "Waking Up", "The Girls", and "Ghost".

2019–2020: First EPs, Mini Mix Vol 1. and Mini Mix Vol 2.

In January 2019, Magdalena Bay released their first two EPs Day/Pop, and Night/Pop, containing remastered versions of their early singles and covers.[18] In February, the duo began releasing short music videos on YouTube as part of a "Mag Minis" series, starting with "Afternoon in Heaven".[19] The "Mag Minis" series led to the duo being signed by indie label Luminelle Recordings, and the full "Mag Minis" series was releasing to streaming services as the mixtape Mini Mix Vol. 1 on July 19.[20] The duo released their first EP for Luminelle Records, A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling, on March 13, 2020, and their second mixtape, Mini Mix, Vol. 2, on November 20, 2020.

2021–2022: Mercurial World and first tour

The duo 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".[21][22][23] The album was teased with a "Y2K-inspired" website designed by Tenenbaum[20], and music videos accompanying the album's singles were also released in promotion of the album.[24] A deluxe version of Mercurial World, containing fan-submitted "secrets", remixes, and two new songs, was released on September 23, 2022.[25]

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.[26][27][28][29]

2023–present: Mini Mix Vol 3. & Imaginal Disk

On April 13, 2023, Magdalena Bay released a third mixtape, Mini Mix, Vol. 3.[30] On May 28, 2024, they released the single "Death & Romance", their first release under Mom + Pop Music,[31] and also announced their "Imaginal Mystery Tour".[32] 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.[33] On July 31, 2024, the album's third single, "Tunnel Vision", was released.[34] The final single, "That's My Floor", was released on August 21, 2024.

On March 28, 2025, Magdalena Bay appeared on triple j's Like a Version segment where they performed "Image" and covered David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes".[35]

Musical style and influences

The group has been described as synthpop, and they have cited Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX as influences.[36] 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."[6] Paste described them as "a pop act with a rockist core", featuring progressive rock, shoegaze and disco influences.[37] Lewin listened to progressive rock and classic rock growing up, and admitted to "making fun of people for liking popular music." He shared these influences with Tenenbaum once they met.[38]

Members

Current members
  • Mica Tenenbaum – lead vocals, bass, keytar (2016–present)
  • Matthew Lewin – keyboards, synthesizer, guitar, bass, programming, backing vocals (2016–present)
Current touring musicians
  • Nick Villa – drums (2022–present)
  • Myles Sweeney – keyboards, guitar, bass (2024–present)

Discography

Main article: Magdalena Bay discography

Albums

Extended plays

  • Day/Pop (2019)
  • Night/Pop (2019)

Mixtapes

  • Mini Mix Vol. 1 (2019)
  • Mini Mix Vol. 2 (2020)
  • Mini Mix Vol. 3 (2023)

Selected singles

References

  1. ^ Holdsworth, Bryony. "Synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay release the glossy anti-bourgeois pop jam "Money Lover"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Redfern, Mark. "Magdalena Bay Share Video for New Song "Secrets (Your Fire)"". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Blistein, Jon (October 5, 2021). "Magdalena Bay Work Out Their Existential Dread on Van Trip in 'Hysterical Us' Video". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Cohn, Ben (October 15, 2021). "Album Review: Magdalena Bay – Mercurial World". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. ^ Strauss, Matthew (December 11, 2024). "Magdalena Bay Announce 2025 Imaginal Mystery Tour Dates". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Shosa, Travis. "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". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Zhang, Cat (December 21, 2020). "A Year in Music on TikTok". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Fulton, Nick. "Magdalena Bay's uplifting pop is what we need right now". i-D. Vice Media. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Zhang, Cat (July 20, 2021). "Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Tenenbaum, Mica. "Self-Portrait: Magdalena Bay". Under the Radar Magazine. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Zenyatta, Eugene (March 4, 2020). "Five questions: Magdalena Bay". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Magdalena Bay – Luminelle Recordings". luminellerecs.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Tabula Rasa EP, by Tabula Rasa". Tabula Rasa. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Tabula Rasa, by Tabula Rasa". Tabula Rasa. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  15. ^ "Crimson, by Tabula Rasa". Tabula Rasa. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Gibbs, Jessica. "Even From Afar, Magdalena Bay Represents Miami With Its Glistening Pop". Miami New Times. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  17. ^ VOC POP, retrieved April 22, 2025
  18. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Zhang, Cat (July 20, 2021). "Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  21. ^ Russell, Scott (June 29, 2021). "Magdalena Bay Announce Debut Album Mercurial World, Share Lead Single "Chaeri"". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  22. ^ Petrillo, Lisa (October 6, 2021). "Musical Miami Duo 'Magdalena Bay' Gaining Attention & Fans". CBS Miami. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  23. ^ Snapes, Laura (October 8, 2021). "Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World review – poolside pop with seductive charm". the Guardian. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  24. ^ Hess, Liam (August 24, 2022). "Meet Magdalena Bay, the Maverick Duo Crafting Sweet-and-Sour Pop Bangers". Vogue. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Unconditional": Listen". Stereogum. September 20, 2022. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  26. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (June 9, 2022). "6 Highlights From Primavera a la Ciutat 2022". Our Culture. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  27. ^ Kato, Yoshi (October 28, 2022). "Porter Robinson's Second Sky festival returns to the Bay Area. Here's what you need to know". Datebook. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Callwood, Brett (April 21, 2023). "Magdalena Bay and Their Mercurial Coachella – LA Weekly". www.laweekly.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Bloom, Madison (August 2, 2023). "Lollapalooza 2023 Hulu Livestream Schedule & Details Announced". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "Magdalena Bay Release New Seven-Song EP 'Mini Mix Vol. 3': Stream". Stereogum. April 13, 2023. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "Magdalena Bay sign to Mom+Pop and share their new single, "Death & Romance"". Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  32. ^ Corcoran, Nina (May 28, 2024). "Magdalena Bay Announce Tour, Share New Song "Death & Romance"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  33. ^ Monroe, Jazz (July 10, 2024). "Magdalena Bay Announce New Album Imaginal Disk, Share Song and Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Magdalena Bay Share New Single "Tunnel Vision": Listen". Stereogum. July 31, 2024. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  35. ^ Jenke, Tyler (March 27, 2025). "Magdalena Bay Take On David Bowie's 'Ashes to Ashes' for 'Like a Version'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  36. ^ "Magdalena Bay Explore New Territory on Extraterrestrial Single "Death & Romance"". FLOOD. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far".
  38. ^ "Magdalena Bay on the Songs They Want to Soundtrack Their Funeral". Hearing Things. February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.