aaamusic | On 04, Jul 2012

Artmagic is Sean McGhee, who has recorded and mixed No. 1 singles for Britney Spears, sung with Alanis Morissette and worked with Robyn, Sugababes and Imogen Heap, and guitarist Richard Oakes, a member of Suede between 1994 and 2003 and since the band’s 2010 reunion.

 

As the title of Artmagic’s debut album, released on 2^nd July, suggests, Become The One You Love documents a journey of musical change and personal self-discovery for both Artmagicians. From the serene dream of the opening “The Choice” and the energy rush of “Down In The River” to the sultry starkness of “The Spark” and the closing torch-song swell of “The Gift Of Flight”, Become The One You Love cuts free from past achievements whilst using the duo’s admirable experience and gifts to carve out 11 songs of radiant melody, textural colour and bulletproof hooks.

 

“Richard and I have enjoyed a great freedom because there was no giant organisation to please, only ourselves, so we could do whatever we wanted,” Sean explains. “But we’ve tried to make melodic, accessible music that appeals on a mainstream level, so the album has several big open doors people can walk through. ‘Beauty’ is another key word for Artmagic. Even when the music is hard and troubled, we didn’t want to be too thorny and spiky.”

 

Artmagic have two live incarnations; an acoustic trio with keyboard player Gordana Jovkovic, and an electric quintet, joined by Ben Ellis and Mathis Richet (a member of Temposhark, whose 2010 album Threads was produced by Sean). The acoustic side showcases the songs, the electric side the energy and diversity. Perfectly balanced between two sides in every department, with an injection of art and magic, and not forgetting beauty, Artmagic have already gone a long way to underlining the virtues of their name. To borrow the album title, they’ve become the ones they love. And you will too.

 

BECOME THE ONE YOU LOVE – TRACKLISTING

 

1. The Choice                                              2. Down in the River

3. Forever in Negative                                  4. Submerged

5. You                                                        6. A Homecoming

7. Heaven is Here                                        8. Half-Life

9. Blue on Blue                                            10.The Spark

11. The Gift of Flight

 

 

 

LIVE DATES:

 

JULY

 

Tues 3rd              LETCHWORTH – David’s Records (instore show), onstage 18.00
Weds 4th            BRISTOL – Rise Records (instore show), onstage 18.00
Thurs 5th            CHELTENHAM – Rise Records (instore show), onstage 17.00
Fri 6th                   KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES – Banquet Records (instore show) onstage 18.00
Mon 9th              LONDON – St. Pancras Old Church, onstage 21.15
Weds 11th          SOUTHSEA – Pie And Vinyl (instore show), onstage 19.00
Sat 21st                DUNDRENNAN – Wickerman Festival, Acoustic Village, onstage 19.30
Sun 22nd            SHEFFIELD – Tramlines Festival, Sheffield Cathedral, onstage 13.30