Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk – Compact Disc, CD, Mom+Pop, 2024
Magdalena Bay, the Los Angeles-based duo of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, craft dreamy pop that blends nostalgia, kitsch, and futuristic synths. Though rooted in California, their sound feels suspended in a digital ether—familiar yet forward-thinking.
The two met as teens in a Miami high school music program. Tenenbaum, born in Buenos Aires and raised in Florida, is a classically trained pianist and vocalist. Lewin, a self-taught producer and guitarist inspired by prog rock, shared her creative drive. They formed a prog band, Tabula Rasa, and began a romantic relationship. Despite attending separate colleges, they continued making music, eventually realizing their sound needed a new direction.
Turning toward pop, they immersed themselves in the genre’s structure and production, seeking to innovate within its boundaries. This shift led to the formation of Magdalena Bay. After releasing several EPs and singles, their 2021 debut album, Mercurial World, was praised for its catchy melodies and polished synth-pop production.
Beyond the music, Magdalena Bay is known for their cohesive aesthetic—blending visuals, graphics, and online presence into a rich, immersive experience. “We love extending the world of our music past sound,” says Tenenbaum. Lewin adds, “We’re trying to create an atmosphere or an emotional quality with it.” This commitment to “world-building” has become central to their artistic identity.
