White Magic
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Experimental folk/pop
Status:
Most recent release, I'm Hiding My Nightingale (EP 2015); most recent full-length release, Dat Rosa Mel Apibus (2006)
See also:
Wikipedia's White Magic page
Drag City (label)'s White Magic page
White Magic's Facebook page
White Magic's MySpace page
Comparisons:
Not an easy question: somewhat related to Ultralash, Faun Fables, and other purveyors of experimental folk
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional covers
General comments:
White Magic has a distinctive experimental folk sound, identifiable by the chunky instrumentation and Mira Billotte's forceful vocal style, which sounds almost like she's shouting. A review in Pitchfork of Dat Rosa Mel Apibus describes their sound well: "simple, chunky piano patterns, dizzily swirling harmonies, droning strings, and Mira Billotte's booming lead vocals." (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Through The Sun Door
Recordings:
Release info:
2004—Drag City—265CD
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for fans of edgy folk
Group members:
Mira Billotte—vocals, piano, guitar
Andy Macleod—guitars, drums (5)
Miggy Littleton—drums, bass (2, 5), piano (2)
Guest artists:
Matt Sweeney & James Lowe—handclaps (4)
Produced by:
Jo Blaney & White Magic
Comments:
This EP is wholly inventive, haunting, and yes, magical. The winding piano, the captivating tunes, the strong vocals, I'm in love with it all. (Neile)
Release info:
2006—Drag City
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for fans of edgy folk
Group members:
Mira Billotte—vocals, piano, guitar, Roxichord, Rhodes, melodica
Douglas Shaw—guitar, erhu, gongs, percussion, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, compact organ
Guest artists:
Shahzad Ismaily—bass (1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12); upright bass (5, 8, 10); clay pot (5)
Tim DeWit—drums (1, 6, 7)
Jim White—drums (2, 11, 12)
Jesse Lee—drums (3)
Tim Barnes—drums, percussion (5, 8, 10); bells (5)
Samara Lubelski—violin (5, 6, 10)
Chris Rael—sitar (5, 10)
Karen LeBlanc—accordion (12)
Comments:
This album is one of the few times when the parts are better than their sum. I confess that I find a full album of their sound a little much, but taken individually, I love these tracks, most especially the cover of "Katie Cruel". There are other gorgeous winding melodies and harmonies, in particular on "The Light." And the tunes and instrumentation and vocals are always intriguing—their sound is never, ever boring. (Neile)
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