Cuddle Magic

Cuddle Magic signs with Northern Spy Records, releases LP 'Ashes/Axis,' plays Trans Pecos 12.15

A true NYC scene sleeper, avant-orchestral collective Cuddle Magic has been being impressive for a long time now, and our little top ten 'NYC buzz" chart of this same page just reminded us of it - that's what's there for! The Deli booked them for a CMJ show back in 2012 (holy cow, that was an EPIC CMJ year for us!), and their live show left us in awe. 2012 was also the year of their latest release, LP 'Info Nympho.' But true musicians never quit, and we are glad to see the group back on their feet with a new record - and a new label, the experimental-minded, Brooklyn based Northern Spy. The new mateiral is at once edgier and angular in the production and more mellow and ethereal in the vocal department. Check out 'Slow Rider' below, the second single from upcoming LP 'Ashes/Axis,' scheduled for a January 27th release. Don't miss the band's upcoming show at Trans Pecos on December 15.

December 06, 2016    

Cuddle Magic releases new track, with new sound + announces LP "Ashes/Axis."

All lasting musical projects require some degree of reinvention to keep inspiration and curiosity alive, and NYC's "ex" orchestral project Cuddle Magic just came out with a new single that displays a sonic transition towards a more electronic sound, without giving up the signature delicate melodies and intimate, sparse atmspheres. Counter intuitively, "Trojan Horse" (streaming below) was written by Benjamin Lazar Davis and Bridget Kearney during their 2014 trip to Africa - well, admittedly, electricity exists in many African countries... The track will be featured in upcoming album "Ashes/Axis."

April 05, 2016    

Lux Perpetua Opening for Divers at Boot & Saddle Dec. 4

Divers are headlining Boot & Saddle this evening before they release the debut album that they've been pushing on Pledge Music. And it will be a solid home performance for South Philly natives Lux Perpetua, who have been marching to the beat of a new drum since the release of Hehbehdehbehbehdeh over the summer. The album that was named for a sound he made while yawning is a bold & beautiful result of a half-decades worth of material that former Extraordinaires member Justin Long had created under the new project. And the addition of Matt Gibson (The Extrordinaires, ex-Man Man)) and Spencer Carrow has elevated the project into a full-fledged power trio that has impressed during live performances. Although the majority of its members call Brooklyn home now, Philadelphia is the second home to Cuddle Magic, where a couple of its members still reside. With what the vibrant indie orchestral folk sextet has been recording in the studio since September, it’s likely that we'll be seeing more of them in 2015. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ - Bill McThrill
 
December 04, 2014    

Elegant, Refined Sounds From Cuddle Magic & Birdie Busch at The Boot & Saddle March 9

A trio of artists that perform with an ear on elegant, refined sound will be taking the stage tonight at The Boot & Saddle. Brooklyn/Philly’s hybrid six-piece Cuddle Magic craftily interweave an array of instruments while simultaneously layering vocal harmonies, creating a sound that harnesses its multidimensionality and sharpens the finer details to reveal the beauty in their music as a whole. Renowned local songstress, Birdie Busch, who combines skilled narrative lyricism with folk/Americana-based instrumentation, will follow them, Her set will raise one’s spirit while still maintaining a sense of the here and now. The show will also serve as a celebration for Rachel Ries’ latest offering and third LP Ghost of a Gardener that features members of Cuddle Magic among many others. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ - Michael Colavita
 
March 09, 2014    

Cuddle Magic announces collaborative album with Phyllis Chen

Probably the least predictable orchestral NYC band, Cuddle Magic is formed by musicians whose sole mission is to write songs that are pretty, conceptual, and daring at once. The band has a new record coming out in April, a collaborative album with NYC pianist Phyllis Chen, with whom they share "love of imperfectly pitched percussion, overlapping rhythmic cycles, and rigorous pitch sets." The band just released a preview video of single "An Extra Life" (streaming), which features a pointillistic arrangement in which higher pitch wind instruments, are not allowed to play notes longer than a semiquaver - as if they were softer sounding mallets.

February 19, 2014