Magana’s‘Teeth‘ was the “Record of Note” on BBC Scotland’sRoddy Hart show last night. Roddy played three songs from the album and said a lot of lovely things about it. If you missed it live, you can listen to it via BBC Sounds.
Something extra nice about it was that Roddy and his producer (The Raging Bull) had clearly done their research and pulled some great stuff from the Jeni’s track-by-track feature for The Alternative:
If you’re enjoying Magana-centric radio, then please remember that her session for Leo Gilbert is airing all month long via Dandelion Radio and Mixcloud:
“Lyrically, Magaña visits some stark and dark places, describing it as “witchy rock,” but it all fits so well with her song constructions and her quite warm, subtle voice, making an excellent musical and lyrical contrast, as a cup of hot coffee and cold sparkling water do.”
Magana did a great interview with Firebird Magazine (you might remember them for their brilliant feature withFrog) where they talked ‘Teeth,’ Mitski, and her plans for upcoming ambient and orchestral music releases. Check it out here.
I was also fortunate enough to get to write another guest feature for Various Small Flames, this time reflecting on the memories and music of my time knowing and working with Jeni Magaña. It covers her better-known songs like “Inches Apart,” as well as compilation appearances, her CHUCK and Cloud covers, the pen pin pop project, and her more experimental work. This was a really nice experience for me so I hope you enjoy it too: “You Got Shit to Do: a Magana Restrospective By Audio Antihero Records”
“Feels equally at home in the era of doomy 60s girl pop and the modern age of dreampop and lushly-drawn indie music. Magaña’s vocals exude joy and pain in equal measure…” – Analogue Trash
“‘Teeth’ stands tall as tangible proof of the transformative power of music. With otherworldly melodies, evocative lyrics, and a production style that envelopes the listener, Magana offers a fourteen-track journey of healing and self-discovery.” – Broken 8 Records
“Magana has a dramatic, floating vocal style that puts her in line with a lot of the big “indie folk” acts of today, but it’s her embrace of more adventurous instrumentation that sets Teeth apart from the crowd more than anything else.” – Rosy Overdrive
Well, the worm moon finally shone its brightest, and as such, ‘Teeth‘ must be released. This is Jeni Magaña’s second solo album, and it took some time to get here, with her spending the last few years playing with Mitski (on the road right now, so be sure to wave!), as well as Lady Lamb, and her brilliant new pen pin duo with Emily Moore. I hope, and think, that you’ll find it to have been worth the wait.
Magana debuted through Audio Antihero back in 2016 with the ‘Golden Tongue‘ EP and has made great music since, both as a solo artist and with others, but ‘Teeth’ feels different. It’s a strange and stunning album that aches, lives, breathes, cries, and soars. She described it as “Witchy Rock,” which is pretty perfect.
“Brutally vulnerable and beautifully breathtaking, ‘Teeth’ is as visceral and raw as it is dramatically layered: Magana’s sophomore album is an uncompromisingly intimate and spiritual rock record reckoning with trauma, inner connection, the fragility of the human experience, and what it means to be alive.” – Atwood Magazine
“Out today in conjunction with the full moon, Magana’s Teeth wraps up snapshots from singer Jeni Magaña’s past in a lush and mesmerizing soundscape, each track feeling like an invocation of a particular memory, feeling, or train of thought. Instrumentally, Teeth is a mosaic, with crunchy guitars, airy woodwinds, gorgeous strings, and synths that sound like they were summoned from a different dimension blending together beautifully.” – The Alternative
“There’s such diversity on the whole of Teeth that it feels like Jeni can do no wrong…“Girl in Chains” definitely has this aura of reclaiming power, perhaps alluding to the theme of Teeth and Jeni Magana claiming this musical space as her own.” – Austin Town Hall
“Teeth is a testimony to one’s bravery in facing what they have always feared, and trying to find a way to escape from one’s own isolation.” – KRUI
“Teeth combines acid folk, dream/alt-pop, and a touch of krautrock, all in an attempt to tackle the darkest and most brutally honest aspects of the artist’s life. Each song brings something new and vulnerable to the aching LP, a stunning representation of growth and self-discovery through the lens of a fever dream.” – The Post
“Magana has a dramatic, floating vocal style that puts her in line with a lot of the big “indie folk” acts of today, but it’s her embrace of more adventurous instrumentation that sets ‘Teeth’ apart from the crowd more than anything else.” – Rosy Overdrive
“A strange sound for a strange world, made by an artist determined to use every style available to best communicate their own experience of trying to exist within it.” – Various Small Flames
We’ve been very fortunate to have received such wonderful support for the album so far. I’m really excited that Magana is currently one of Hype Machine’s“Most Posted Artists,” and that “Beside You” reached #1 in their “Popular Now” chart. “Beside You” was even added to Apple Music’s “New in Indie” playlist, which is really cool. Magana’s music deserves these ears.
‘Teeth’ is an album that I think can only get better the deeper you dig, so I’d love for you to accompany your listening with the following:
I’ve also been pretty busy with some other upcoming records and especially Antihero PR. If you haven’t checked these out yet, please dig into some recent features on bedbug (Silent Radio), Frog (NYS Music), and Max Blansjaar (Love Music; Love Life) below!
“Brutally vulnerable and beautifully breathtaking, ‘Teeth’ is as visceral and raw as it is dramatically layered: Magana’s sophomore album is an uncompromisingly intimate and spiritual rock record reckoning with trauma, inner connection, the fragility of the human experience, and what it means to be alive.” – Atwood Magazine
‘Teeth’ is released on Monday the 25th of March and it’s available for pre-order via Bandcamp. Its singles are available on Spotify.
Magana also recently spoke to South London’s Joyzine, which is another great interview worth reading:
There’ll also be a great in-depth interview with Magana on Saturday on the Hello GoodBye Show on London’s legendary Resonance FM. The show airs in London (FM & DAB) and Poland, plus it’ll be available to stream worldwide online. Check the link below for times and details.
Forever busy, Jeni Magaña is back on the road with Mitski now so if you’re going to any of those shows (dates here), please be sure to wave. She also played upright bass on the new single, which you can check out below:
FROG W/ HORSE JUMPER OF LOVE ON MARCH 23RD (FREE, NY):
Frog will be playing a free show with the amazing Horse Jumper of Love on Saturday (March 23rd). It takes place at the Blue Room on the Sarah Lawrence College campus. The event is hosted by the college’s WSLC radio station. Pretty cool.
Frog have released their first live performance film, “Unplugged and Unhinged.” This film by Jarod Walker was released on March 8th via the band’s new Patreon where they will be premiering audio and video recordings of their shows going forward. A free seven-day trial is available.
Frog will also be touring the Northeast (Philadelphia, NYC, Boston/Somerville) this month, tickets and information are available at Songkick and Bands In Town.
Magana – “Break Free” Single Out Now:
Magana’s“Break Free” single is out now – available on Bandcamp, Spotify, etc. It’s taken from her ‘Teeth’ LP which is out on March 25th.
Antihero PR: Max Blansjaar – “Anna Madonna” Single Out Now:
A quick update from the world of Antihero PR, I’m working with Beanie Tapes on the upcoming debut album from Max Blansjaar. ‘False Comforts’ was produced by Katie Von Schleicher and Nate Mendelsohn and will be released on June 21st.
You can catch up with Magana through Linktree (or if you’re going to see Mitski on tour soon, be sure to wave!).
Magana and Bedbug both Top 5 on Hype Machine:
We’re also so grateful for all of the support that bedbug and Magana have been receiving. Today both artists are Top 5 in the Hype Machine“Most Posted Artists“ chart (plus making Top 20 appearances in the “Popular Now“ chart).
Though Magana is off on tour with Mitski at the moment, the hits keep on coming. “Paul,” the latest single from her upcoming ‘Teeth‘ LP is out now:
We’re so grateful to the ever-excellent Various Small Flames for premiering the song:
“Today we have the pleasure of sharing latest single, ‘Paul’. A song where grief is transcribed almost verbatim, and tenderness, strangeness and plain disbelief can exist simultaneously.”
We’re so happy that the new Magana is getting picked up for airplay by Deb Grant and Tom Ravenscroft for BBC 6 Music’s New Music Fix and by Roddy Hart on BBC Radio Scotland. The reviews yesterday were lovely too:
“The solo project of multi-instrumentalist and Bakersfield native Jeni Magaña (bassist for Mitski and Lady Lamb), Magana will release their sophomore album, “Teeth,” on March 25. The grief-stricken “Paul” is the latest of four singles, which cover plenty of sonic and emotional ground.” – Buzz Bands LA
“As anticipation builds for the release of “Teeth”, fans can expect a sonic journey unlike any other, as Magana invites them to delve into the depths of her imagination and experience the enchanting world of Witchy Rock firsthand.” –Pure Mzine
“Jeni Magaña, esteemed for her roles as the bassist for Mitski and Lady Lamb, ventures into new sonic territories with ‘Paul,’ blending elements of Witchy Rock, Ghost Pop, and Acid Folk. Embarking on her solo journey, ‘Paul’ showcases Magana’s artistry and her growth as an independent artist.” – The Daily Music Report
The single is taken from her ‘Teeth’ LP, which will be released on Monday, the 25th of March, to coincide with the peak illumination of the Worm Moon.
My Best Unbeaten Brother – “Slayer on a Sunny Day”:
Here’s a little bit of the lovely press coverage this new project from Ben and Adam Parker and bassist Ben Fry has received so far:
“After a ten year hiatus, the much lauded Parker brothers return to their literate and urgent ouevre with a new band and a new album.” – Electric Sound of Joy
“Pairing a racing momentum with droll delivery in an attempt to look on the bright side and make the best of the present moment, no matter how difficult outside forces conspire to make such a mindset.” – Various Small Flames
“Something in the song is growling at you instantly; the guitar lines have this edge to them that immediately has you on edge…the anticipation builds for that whole first minute. Then you’ve the seemingly spoken vocal delivery that works through the track as the guitars stab and poke through your speakers; it’s this riotous bit of ramshackle rock n’ roll that’s perfectly balanced to rip through your speakers.” – Austin Town Hall
Maganahas announced ‘Teeth,’ her second album, which will be released on March 25th (to coincide with the Worm Moon’s peak illumination) through Audio Antihero and her own Colored Pencils imprint. Magana is the solo project of multi-instrumentalistJeni Magaña, who has spent the last few years on the road as bassist for Mitski (from Jimmy Kimmel toGlastonbury) andLady Lamb, as well as working with Emily Moore as one-half of the pen pin pop duo.
Spun from Magaña’s meditations and synth experiments, ‘Teeth,’ which she describes as “Witchy Rock,” is unlike any of her past works. An album about “regrowth and a new view on the world,” its sound touches on Acid Folk, Alternative Pop, and even Krautrock as she tackles the bleakest and most brutally honest subjects of her songwriting career.
Bateman from Frog did an in-depth interview with Absent Sounds on CJAM 99.1 FM (Windsor & Detroit). It’s available now to stream on demand. Weadee and Weajue have a great show with a lot of really good guests (Fucked Up / Chris Walla) so check out their archive.
Frog Live (Philadelphia / NYC / Somerville):
Frog will be playing in Philadelphia, PA; NYC, NY, and Someville, MA, between March 14th and 16th. Tickets and info for all three shows can be found via Songkick.
The first in a series of releases is an absolute banger called “Nothing Matters to Me Now,” which is free/PWYW on Bandcamp now (plus streaming everywhere).
This surprise single has received some really nice support from sites and radio in Japan, Argentina, Slovakia, England, Wales, Czechia, New Zealand, Germany, and the USA. Thank you all so much. You can see some of it below:
It’s a gorgeous, glistening album that expands Dylan Gamez Citron’s much-loved solo bedroom pop project (as heard on classic records for Z Tapes and Joy Void) into a full band, capturing the energy, beauty, and urgency of influences like Cap’n Jazz, Modest Mouse, Owls, and Built to Spill.
Airing originally via BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday evening, you can now stream Bateman’s “Me-in-3” song selections via BBC Sounds for the next month.
Airing originally via FM & DAB radio through London’s Resonance FM (and Pawarota Radio in Poland) on Saturday afternoon, this in-depth interview can now be streamed on Mixcloud.
This was actually Frog’s second appearance on deXter Bentley’s Resonance FM show, having played a live session for them back in January 2016 (as seen in Alex Coppola’s“Kings of Blah” documentary).
This week’s show though even features “Slayer on a Sunny Day” by My Best Unbeaten Brother, who you’ll be hearing a lot more from pretty soon. But if you haven’t heard already, are a new trio featuring Ben and Adam Parker of Nosferatu D2, Tempertwig, and Superman Revenge Squad.
Audio Antihero artists have a long history of appearing on the Hello GoodBye Show, with a few examples preserved on Spotify:
Audio Antihero: 