Magdalena Bay (duo)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Magdalena Bay

| image = Magdalena Bay 2021.jpg

| landscape = yes

| caption = Magdalena Bay performing in 2021

| origin = Miami, Florida, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|Synth-pop{{cite web |last1=Holdsworth |first1=Bryony |title=Synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay release the glossy anti-bourgeois pop jam "Money Lover" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/song-of-the-day/magdalena-bay-money-lover |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145939/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/song-of-the-day/magdalena-bay-money-lover |url-status=live }}|electropop{{cite web |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |title=Magdalena Bay Share Video for New Song "Secrets (Your Fire)" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_video_for_new_song_secrets_your_fire |website=Under the Radar |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010151441/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_video_for_new_song_secrets_your_fire |url-status=live }}|indie pop{{cite magazine |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Magdalena Bay Work Out Their Existential Dread on Van Trip in 'Hysterical Us' Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-hysterical-us-new-song-1237380/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=5 October 2021 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006114412/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-hysterical-us-new-song-1237380/ |url-status=live }}|alt-pop{{cite web|url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-magdalena-bay-mercurial-world/|title=Album Review: Magdalena Bay – Mercurial World|last=Cohn|first=Ben|work=Beats Per Minute|date=October 15, 2021|access-date=December 31, 2021|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231181952/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-magdalena-bay-mercurial-world/|url-status=live}}|experimental pop{{cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |title=Magdalena Bay Announce 2025 Imaginal Mystery Tour Dates |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-2025-imaginal-mystery-tour-dates/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=December 17, 2024 |date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211212938/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-2025-imaginal-mystery-tour-dates/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}}}

| years_active = 2016–present

| label = {{hlist|Luminelle|The Orchard|Mom + Pop}}

| associated_acts =

| current_members = Mica Tenenbaum
Matthew Lewin

| website = {{URL|mercurialworld.com}}
{{URL|imaginaldisk.world}}

}}

Magdalena Bay is an American alternative pop{{Cite web |title=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 |first1=Travis|last1=Shosa|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/magdalena-bay-want-to-defy-your-expectations |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Zhang|first1=Cat|title=A Year in Music on TikTok|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/tiktok-songs-2020/|access-date=24 August 2021|website=Pitchfork|date=21 December 2020 |publisher=Conde Nast|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145725/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/tiktok-songs-2020/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Fulton |first1=Nick |title=Magdalena Bay's uplifting pop is what we need right now |url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/z3b8p5/magdalena-bay-a-little-rhythm-and-a-wicked-feeling-interview |website=i-D |publisher=Vice Media |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145725/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/z3b8p5/magdalena-bay-a-little-rhythm-and-a-wicked-feeling-interview |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Zhang |first1=Cat |title=Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-interview/ |website=Pitchfork |date=20 July 2021 |publisher=Conde Nast |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145727/https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-interview/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Tenenbaum |first1=Mica |title=Self-Portrait: Magdalena Bay |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/self_portrait_magdalena_bay |website=Under the Radar Magazine |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930055148/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/self_portrait_magdalena_bay |url-status=live }} Both Tenenbaum and Lewin are Jewish. 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 as Tabula Rasa,{{cite web |last1=Zenyatta |first1=Eugene |title=Five questions: Magdalena Bay |url=https://philadelphiaweekly.com/five-questions-magdalena-bay/ |website=Philadelphia Weekly |access-date=9 October 2021 |date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://philadelphiaweekly.com/five-questions-magdalena-bay/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Magdalena Bay – Luminelle Recordings |url=https://luminellerecs.com/artists/magdalena-bay/ |website=luminellerecs.com |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152748/https://luminellerecs.com/artists/magdalena-bay/ |url-status=live }} releasing a self-titled EP,{{Cite web |title=Tabula Rasa EP, by Tabula Rasa |url=https://tabularasa4.bandcamp.com/album/tabula-rasa-ep |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Tabula Rasa |language=en}} and a self-titled studio album.{{Cite web |title=Tabula Rasa, by Tabula Rasa |url=https://tabularasa4.bandcamp.com/album/tabula-rasa |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Tabula Rasa |language=en}}

= 2016–2019: Formation, first singles and covers =

After Tabula Rasa released their final album, Crimson,{{Cite web |title=Crimson, by Tabula Rasa |url=https://tabularasa4.bandcamp.com/album/crimson |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Tabula Rasa |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Gibbs |first1=Jessica |title=Even From Afar, Magdalena Bay Represents Miami With Its Glistening Pop |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/interview-with-pop-duo-magdalena-bay-11636418 |website=Miami New Times |publisher=Voice Media Group |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010150641/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/interview-with-pop-duo-magdalena-bay-11636418 |url-status=live }} 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. Their first single, "Voc Pop", was released on June 1, which has been since removed from streaming services and YouTube.{{Citation |title=VOC POP |url=https://soundcloud.com/magbae/voc-pop |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bstrc_dAnDB/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.instagram.com}} In February, the duo began releasing short music videos on YouTube as part of a "Mag Minis" series, starting with "Afternoon in Heaven".{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BuKAqoNAYy1/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.instagram.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Cat |date=2021-07-20 |title=Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-interview/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} 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".{{cite web |last1=Russell|first1=Scott |title=Magdalena Bay Announce Debut Album Mercurial World, Share Lead Single "Chaeri" |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-debut-album-mercurial-world/ |website=pastemagazine.com |access-date=9 October 2021 |language=en |date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-debut-album-mercurial-world/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Petrillo |first1=Lisa |title=Musical Miami Duo 'Magdalena Bay' Gaining Attention & Fans |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/musical-miami-duo-magdalena-bay-gaining-attention-fans/ |website=CBS Miami |access-date=9 October 2021 |date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009154109/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/musical-miami-duo-magdalena-bay-gaining-attention-fans/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Snapes |first1=Laura |title=Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World review – poolside pop with seductive charm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/08/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-review-luminelle |website=the Guardian |access-date=9 October 2021 |language=en |date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009152746/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/08/magdalena-bay-mercurial-world-review-luminelle |url-status=live }} The album was teased with a "Y2K-inspired" website designed by Tenenbaum, and music videos accompanying the album's singles were also released in promotion of the album.{{Cite web |last1=Hess|first1=Liam|date=2022-08-24 |title=Meet Magdalena Bay, the Maverick Duo Crafting Sweet-and-Sour Pop Bangers |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/magdalena-bay-all-you-do-video-interview |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} A deluxe version of Mercurial World, containing fan-submitted "secrets", remixes, and two new songs, was released on September 23, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Unconditional": Listen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2200078/magdalena-bay-unconditional/music/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925150023/https://www.stereogum.com/2200078/magdalena-bay-unconditional/music/ |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |last=Pappis |first=Konstantinos |date=2022-06-09 |title=6 Highlights From Primavera a la Ciutat 2022 |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2022/06/09/6-highlights-from-primavera-a-la-ciutat-2022/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Our Culture |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Kato |first=Yoshi |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Porter Robinson's Second Sky festival returns to the Bay Area. Here's what you need to know |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/porter-robinsons-second-sky-festival-returns-to-the-bay-area-heres-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524054403/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/porter-robinsons-second-sky-festival-returns-to-the-bay-area-heres-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=2023-05-24 |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Datebook |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Callwood |first=Brett |date=2023-04-21 |title=Magdalena Bay and Their Mercurial Coachella – LA Weekly |url=https://www.laweekly.com/magdalena-bay-and-their-mercurial-coachella/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426165454/https://www.laweekly.com/magdalena-bay-and-their-mercurial-coachella/ |archive-date=2023-04-26 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.laweekly.com |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last1=Bloom |first1=Madison |date=2 August 2023 |title=Lollapalooza 2023 Hulu Livestream Schedule & Details Announced |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lollapalooza-2023-hulu-livestream-schedule-and-details-announced/ |access-date=4 September 2024 |website=Pitchfork}}

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

On April 13, 2023, they released a third mixtape, Mini Mix, Vol. 3.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title=Magdalena Bay Release New Seven-Song EP 'Mini Mix Vol. 3': Stream |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2220200/stream-magdalena-bays-new-seven-song-ep-mini-mix-vol-3/music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514095851/https://www.stereogum.com/2220200/stream-magdalena-bays-new-seven-song-ep-mini-mix-vol-3/music/ |archive-date=2023-05-14 |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} On May 28, 2024, Magdalena Bay released the single "Death & Romance", their first release under Mom + Pop Music,{{Cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/magdalena-bay-sign-to-mom-pop-and-share-their-new-single-death-romance |title=Magdalena Bay sign to Mom+Pop and share their new single, "Death & Romance" |access-date=2024-06-08 |archive-date=2024-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608031941/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/magdalena-bay-sign-to-mom-pop-and-share-their-new-single-death-romance |url-status=live }} and also announced their "Imaginal Mystery Tour".{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2024-05-28 |title=Magdalena Bay Announce Tour, Share New Song "Death & Romance" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-tour-share-new-song-death-and-romance-listen/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528145718/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-tour-share-new-song-death-and-romance-listen/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=2024-07-10 |title=Magdalena Bay Announce New Album Imaginal Disk, Share Song and Video |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-new-album-imaginal-disk-share-song-and-video-watch/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} On July 31, 2024, the album's third single, "Tunnel Vision", was released.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Single "Tunnel Vision": Listen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2274102/magdalena-bay-tunnel-vision/music/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803070502/https://www.stereogum.com/2274102/magdalena-bay-tunnel-vision/music/ |url-status=live }} 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".{{cite web |work=Billboard |access-date=4 April 2025 |archive-date=29 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329190423/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-david-bowie-ashes-to-ashes-like-a-version-1235933487/ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-david-bowie-ashes-to-ashes-like-a-version-1235933487/ |title=Magdalena Bay Take On David Bowie's 'Ashes to Ashes' for 'Like a Version' |first=Tyler |last=Jenke |url-status=live |date=27 March 2025}}

Musical style and influences

The group has been described as synthpop, and they have cited Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX as influences.{{Cite web |title=Magdalena Bay Explore New Territory on Extraterrestrial Single "Death & Romance" |url=https://floodmagazine.com/162640/listen-magdalena-bay-death-and-romance/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=FLOOD |language=en}} 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." Paste described them as "a pop act with a rockist core", featuring progressive rock, shoegaze and disco influences.{{Cite web |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/the-100-best-albums-of-the-2020s-so-far}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Magdalena Bay on the Songs They Want to Soundtrack Their Funeral |url=https://www.hearingthings.co/magdalena-bay-interview-funeral-soundtrack/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Hearing Things |language=en}}

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