Photo by Gabriella Mendez

There’s something really special that happens when an artist manages to expertly fuse vintage sound with modern ideas. With every new release, Magdalena Bay demonstrates they’re experts at that craft. The duo’s old-school pop meets new electronic sound gives “crying at the club” vibes on every track.

The Miami natives, Mica Tenenbaum (singer, songwriter) and Matthew Levin (producer, songwriter) started making music together in high school as prog rock group, Tabula Rasa. But the duo didn’t become Magdalena Bay until, after a year-long hiatus at separate colleges, Tenenbaum and Levin reconnected online and found a way to collaborate as a “long-distance band” before eventually relocating to LA together in 2018. Inspired by modern artists such as Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Grimes as well their prog rock roots, the duo worked to hone their sound and aesthetic.

Their cover of Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels,” shot on VHS, gained them initial buzz in 2016 until their 2017 single “Neon” boosted them into the eyes of the indie music scene and garnered over 2 million Spotify streams. Since then, the duo has released several other singles as well as their 2019 mini mix vol. 1 EP, their singles, first “Venice” and then later “Good Intentions” receiving the attention and praise of several music blogs. The mini mix EP consists of several short songs, accompanied by vibey vintage visuals that work to demonstrate the essence of Magdalena Bay’s artistry. The videos combine that distinctly pre-2000’s grainy video texture, bright word art, and psychedelic visuals with the band’s modern take on genres from Gwen Stefani-esque radio pop on “U Wanna Dance?” to distinctly Grimes type stylings on “Nothing Baby”.

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Photos by Alex Justice

Ahead of the release for their single, “Killshot” (out now), Magdalena Bay played Gold-Diggers in LA this past Saturday.

“Killshot” comes as another hard-hitting bop for the pair to add to their roster. Tenenbaum’s lush 90’s vocals dance over expertly crafted electronics and groovy bass as she sings of in-over-your-head, unfulfilled, all-consuming romance gone awry.

Magdalena Bay’s perfect blend of old school inspiration and modern motivation makes them one of the most interesting upcoming artists of the moment, and one you’re sure to be hearing everywhere soon.

Stream Magdalena Bay below: