Magdalena Bay Talks Tour Costumes, Album Success, and Future Music at Primavera Sound

BARCELONA – Indie pop duo Magdalena Bay, comprised of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, recently sat down with Stereogum at Primavera Sound Barcelona to discuss their artistic journey, tour preparations, and future musical endeavors. The band, known for their distinctive sound and visual aesthetic, offered insights into their creative process and the challenges of touring. During the interview, Tenenbaum and Lewin shared details about their tour costumes. "We steam costumes," Tenenbaum stated, adding, "We might get a snack at catering." Lewin elaborated on their stage personas, noting, "Our costumes for tour, we have like a set look. We're sort of playing specific characters." He also mentioned that while Tenenbaum incorporates costume changes, the core outfits remain consistent, simplifying their tour routine. The conversation also touched upon their previous album's critical acclaim, particularly its high rating on RYM (Rate Your Music) for 2024. Lewin acknowledged, "Yeah, I think we got like rated the number one album of the year last year, which is awesome." Tenenbaum humorously added, "We are, we are aware." Lewin reflected on the nature of music rankings, stating, "That's why you can't really rank music. The whole system is so flawed." He further commented on human nature's tendency to quantify things. Looking ahead to their third full-length album (LP3), the duo discussed their approach. Lewin mused, "One is to like never put out another record and like maybe 20 years later, we could do one." Tenenbaum playfully suggested, "Or we could put out a worse one." Lewin quickly dismissed the latter as an option, but then proposed, "We could put out a worse one and then put out an even better one next." Tenenbaum agreed, "Maybe that's the right strategy." Lewin concluded, "I kind of like that idea because it gives like a little bit of a narrative arc, you know." The interview provided a candid look into Magdalena Bay's world, from their practical tour considerations to their philosophical views on music creation and reception, leaving fans eager for their next release.