Like many bands, LA dreampop / lovewave duo Magic Wands may appear to have been hibernating during this Covid lockdown, but that’s just on the surface. This week, they announced they will release their fourth long-play, titled ILLUMINATE, in early December. Ahead of that, they present us a sweet teaser in the ‘Blue Cherry’ single. Wake up now to this if you are a fan of Beach House, The XX, TheCrystal Castle, Tiny Fireflies, Wild Nothing or DIIV.

Over the past six months, the duo self-produced, recorded and mixed this new collection of tracks in their home studio. This is the band’s first self-produced album, following up singles ‘Angel Dust’ and ‘Cyan Blue’, both of which will appear on the album.

Magic Wands are Chris and Dexy Valentine. Influenced by British and European New Wave, post-punk and ’80s pop music with a futurist flare, the couple formed the band in 2011, first linking up through Myspace while living on opposite sides (in Los Angeles and Nashville).

In the past few years, Magic Wands also released two albums – Abrakadabra and Aloha Moon19 – in addition to carrying out two headlining UK and European tours and recording live UK Radio Sessions on Radio X (XFM) and on Steve Lamacq’s BBC Radio 1 show. The band debuted with the Aloha Moon LP in 2012, followed by Jupiter in 2016.

Magic Wands have played live with Radiohead, Slowdive, The Horrors, The Black Keys, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Raconteurs, The Breeders,The Wombats, Dinosaur Jr., The Kills, Deerhunter, Mac DeMarco, Sebadoh, Ty Segall and The Raconteurs. They have also played many festivals, including Lollapalooza and SXSW.

Their music has been remixed by The XX and Crystal Fighters (Black Magic, #1 in NME) and licensed to over 50 times, including for commercials (including for Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, T-mobile, Ralph Lauren, Paris Fashion Week, Vogue, Gucci and Zara), as well as movies, national television shows (Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Beauty & the Beast, Funsize, Witches of East End, and The Power of Few with Christopher Walken and Christian Slater).

‘Blue Cherry’ is out now, available across streaming platforms like Spotify and digital stores, and streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full ILLUMINAT’ album will be released on December 4 digitally with vinyl and CDs to follow in early 2021.

Also check out their latest video for ‘Angel Dust’, also to appear on their new album:

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