New Local Music: Magic Castles, Red Pens

Two of Minneapolis' more promising psychedelically-inclined bands (and that's saying something, considering you've got Daughters of the Sun and Vampire Hands running round the MPLS) have recently uploaded new music to their MySpace profiles. For Magic Castles, the new songs represent a substantial sampling of their upcoming second record, the self-recorded, self-released Dreams of Dreams of Dreams.

Based on the wide variety of mellow psych-rock presented by the band (including the Mamas and Papas-esque "Letterbox," and the comperatively uptempo, shuffling "The Ones We Love") the reality of Dreams seems to be that it will be another solid effort from the band. Check out more at the band's MySpace page.

Like Magic Castles, experimental nu-gazers Red Pens have a new album coming out, one that will be released in June. So it would seem that "Kick Me" (with its biting refrain "Who cares about tomorrow?/it will just kick me") and "Blue Lighters" would be a taste from said record. Bearing a strong similarity to Chicago's Star, both songs shine with a lo-fi tinge which should appeal to fans of uber-hyped bands like Wavves. Check them both out here.

Magic Castles MySpace Page
Red Pens MySpace Page

(Jon Graef)

Magic Castles Announce Digital Release of "Lore of Mysticore," New Album

If the most recent post on MPLS-based neo-psychedelic quintet Magic Castles' MySpace page has shown readers anything, it's not the size of the post, but the...motion of the information ocean? While I work on my analogies, I'll point out the fact that the band announced that A) their 2008 release, The Lore of Mysticore, is now available on digital outlets, including Amazon and iTunes.

So, if, for whatever reason, listeners haven't gotten the chance to check out the reverb-heavy, self-released debut from the band, now they can. Additionally, those in the local area can eagerly anticipate the band's brand spankin' new sophomore album, titled Dreams of Dreams of Dreams (whoa) which is set to be released in May. No other details have been released, but the band's MySpace reveals that the CD release party will be at the Hexagon Bar, and will be on May 23rd.

To check out more Magic Castles, go here.

(Jon Graef)

Tonight: Magic Castles @ The Triple Rock

Download: Marvelle - "Dark Matter"

Friday, October 3rd
Magic Castles
The Knotwells
The Dad In Common
Marvelle

9 p.m.

$5
Triple Rock

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Magic Castles Do Radio K Session

Magic Castles - "Emory's Memories" (via)

The Minneapolis-based quintet, who at times recall a psychedelic version of Belle & Sebastian, Magic Castles, who recently released The Lore of Mysticore (read Reveille's review here) recently stopped by the studios of Radio K to conduct a live session. The band recorded 5 songs, 4 of which you can stream over at the K's multimedia page. The fifth, "Emory Memories", has been made available for download. Either download it at the Multimedia page, or listen to it at the top of the post.

In other Castles news, the band will be playing an all-ages show at Eclipse Records. The band states that they'll play Mysticore live for those who weren't able to come to the release party in June.



Magic Castles MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: Daughters Of The Sun, Magic Castles, First Communion Afterparty At The Turf Club

Daughters Of The Sun

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "Bait Upon The Drum"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Follow Smoke"

Should you decide to go out this evening, you could do a lot worse than see three of Minneapolis' most psychedelic bands in one place. Tonight at the Turf Club, First Communion Afterparty, Daughters Of The Sun and Magic Castles all share one bill. The show is 21+ and doors are at nine.

Daughters Of The Sun are still riding local buzz from its self-released album Visions Of The Oceans Head, while First Communion Afterparty have been lumped in with groups like Gospel Gossip and Mouthful Of Bees who play "refreshingly ageless rock music". Magic Castles are in the same neo-psychedelic vein as the aforementioned groups.

Listen to MP3s at the top of the post. For Magic Castles, head to the band's MySpace page.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page
Magic Castles MySpace Page
Daughters Of The Sun MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)