Magical, Beautiful
Magical, Beautiful
Genres: chicago, Illinois, geohash:dp3wh8jvvgsk
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Magical Beautiful
About Magical, Beautiful
***NOTE: This page is for Magical Beautiful from Chicago, IL. The comma was dropped from their name in 2009. ****** Obsessed with live sound manipulation, Magical Beautiful (Chicago, IL) are peerless in their cosmic exploration of dub reggae, motorik & synth pop. Though the music is unique, it feels natural, whether its a ten-minute song that's been meticulously studio-ed for years or an evening-long set of full group electro-acoustic improvisation. Theirs is the sound that appears between wake and sleep. Led by Tyson Torstensen's dramatic baritone & keyboard wizardry, Magical Beautiful’s songwriting follows the magic realism of dreams, exploring memories of strange, religious ceremony; tourism; family; and cultural defamation. Sonic inspiration is drawn from the genius studio explorations of Joe Meek, Bruce Haack & Brian Eno, as well as the constant song reinvention of Jamaican dub mixers & dancehall producers, particularly Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes, Keith Hudson and Kings Tubby & Jammy. While 3/4 of the band are formally-trained musicians, their music is approached through the unafraid spirit of DIY punk. Nick Broste's reputation as a go-to trombonist (as comfortable on the local improv scene as with Wilco, TV On The Radio, Spoon, Jarvis Cocker, & more), is subverted as he focuses on electric organs & treated horn washes. Charlie Vinz will make a beautiful noise with any instrument he is handed – here, his baritone guitar & banjo emerge from their celestial swamp to take triumphant solos in instrumental breaks. Alance Ward, like a post-punk Sly Dunbar, creates a new rhythm, darting in-and-around Torstensen's programmed beats; keeping our heads nodding & heart-rates high. Their tools are average by today's standards - what sets a live Magical Beautiful set apart is the musicians’ unique ability to aggressively manipulate sound. That, along with their innate sense for hidden hooks, heavy rhythm, vivid imagery, and a brave, emotional forthrightness has earned them a loyal Chicago audience. Their talents have not gone unnoticed - all four members are often recruited as touring & studio players, and they will act as both openers & backing musicians for Casiotone For The Painfully Alone in spring, 2010. With close to ten low-circulation releases in four years, Magical Beautiful have additional hours of recordings fermenting for future release on their own I Hear A New World label. Expect to hear much more of their new world in the next decade.
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