Magic Wands Talk New Single, Favourite Instruments And More

Magic Wands is a dream pop duo originally formed in Nashville by guitarists / vocalists Chris and Dexy Valentine. Now based in Los Angeles, the group is known for its shimmering and dreamy sound, which incorporates elements of shoegaze, post-punk and goth. They spoke to us about their new single ‘HIDE’ and more:

Who is in Magic Wands, what do they play and how did you meet?

Chris and Dexy Valentine. Guitar and vocals live, all instruments recording. We originally met in Hollywood at a show.

When did you begin songwriting?

Dexy: my grandfather taught me how to play the piano when I was five so I was always mucking about on that and a tiny Casio keyboard. I started writing songs when I was about 14.

Chris: Starting messing with making up songs around 13, my friend and I borrowed his brother’s four-track recorder and we recorded a song about a guy we knew who worked at a Mexican Restaurant. The song had a rap and I played a classical guitar and then tracked another guitar with a pignose amp where we put a bucket over the amp and the microphone because we thought that might be a good recording technique.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Dexy: When I was a kid I went to acting school and tried out for on and off Broadway plays in NYC, my first audition was for Annie so I had to sing ‘Tomorrow’. I must have played the piano and sang it 1,000 times to get it right and I ended up with a role in the play.

Chris: Songs from cartoons, and my Dad had a band that would play a lot of local gigs, so hearing that.

Your new single ‘Hide’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind that song?

Dexy: Musically, it just came about quickly in the studio. Chris came up with a beat and that really good bass line and I played all the guitars and sang. The song is about getting lost in someone.

Chris: We just made up the music on the spot and then Dexy did the vocals and guitars based on her inspiration at the time.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

Dexy: We have a studio in Hollywood we work out of and we produced it ourselves. Chris mixed and engineered it.

Chris: We also had our friend Lars Deutsch do a mix as well, the ‘In the Dark’ version.

Was it a difficult song to write?

Dexy It took some time getting a good balance. We wanted to keep it minimal.

Chris: Not really to write. It came about pretty quickly, just kind of came out and we wanted it to be simple. It took maybe an hour in total to write and record. It took longer to get the mix balance right. We usually finish things quickly in general. If not, we usually just do another song. We probably have over a hundred songs that are almost done that we skipped because we just wanted to do something new before we got them done. Maybe we’ll release those some day.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Dexy: Making sure we haven’t lost or left any gear behind….and getting to the nearest bed to sleep.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Dexy: I like to change it up, so I have a variety of pedals, usually chorus delays and reverb.

Chris: Dexy has four reverb pedals on her pedal board and I have three. We also always use a Shure 565SD microphone for all the vocals.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Dexy: on the east coast south of NYC, safe, home, historical, peaceful, nostalgic.

Chris: Pennsylvania, “woods, trees, shadows in afternoon.”

How do you look after your voices?

Dexy: Tea with honey, trying not to smoke cigarettes, vocal exercises on occasion before shows.

Chris: I bring garlic pills when we go on tour and take a handful every day.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Chris: I don’t really read novels any more, so it’s hard to say.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Chris: Old surf music, sound healing music, 1930s music, classical in the morning when I’m getting up. Songs, ‘There’s a Small Hotel’ by Benny Goodman and Helen Ward. ‘I Double Dare You’ by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra. ‘Skyliner’ by Charlie Barnet is my favourite.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024/2025?

Dexy: That’s in the works now for spring 2025, and hopefully we get to the UK and mainland Europe next year.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024/2025?

Dexy: Yes, a new album, plus in October we are releasing an updated 2024 remix of an older track called ‘Black Magic’.

What makes Magic Wands happy and what makes you unhappy?

Dexy: working with a great label like Metropolis, who we can’t say enough great things about. They are beyond supportive and amazing to work with. Staying on track with our vision, trying not to dwell on what makes me unhappy, as that list would be too long.

Chris: Magic Wands are happiest when we’re playing on tour and most unhappy when we’re on tour and it’s been over 2 weeks without finding a good Italian restaurant.