MAGIC GIANT

Magic Giant (often stylized as MAGIC GIANT) is an American indie folk band formed in Los Angeles, California in early 2014. The group consists of Austin Bis (lead vocals, cello, synthesizer, percussion), Zambricki Li (banjo, fiddle, viola, cello, harmonica, mandolin, octave mandolin, acoustic guitar, dobro, lap steel, backing vocals) and Brian Zaghi (acoustic guitar, cello, bass, percussion, backing vocals).

MAGIC GIANT is best known for its single "Set On Fire," which charted #4 on Spotify's US Viral 50 and #1 on KROQ's Locals Only.^[1][2][3]

History

2014-present

MAGIC GIANT was formed in early 2014 when songwriting partners Austin Bis and Zambricki Li were impressed by a video they saw of now-bandmate Brian Zaghi salsa dancing.^[4][5] The group name originated as a reference from a TED Talk, in which visual artist Peter Tunney described his mentor, Jonas Salk, as a "giant", then clarifying it was not the man's physical nature he was describing, but his ability to think big. Inspired by this, the band motto became "You don't have to be big to be a giant".^[6]

In 2015, MAGIC GIANT released its freshman self-titled EP, notably featuring Dave Matthews Band’s Rashawn Ross and Capital Cities’ Spencer Ludwig and made the debut live performance of the year on KEXP's The Morning Show hosted by John Richards.^[7] The group's song, "Let It Burn," was called "a summer festival anthem" by NPR.^[8]New Music Seminar announced MAGIC GIANT as an 'Artist on the Verge' Class of 2015.^[9][10] Past artists have included Macklemore, Banks, and Fitz and The Tantrums.

In 2016, the band played festivals including Electric Forest, Wanderlust and Lightning in a Bottle and sold out venues including the Troubadour.^{[11][12][13][14]} Billboard described its live show as "joyful" and "inspiring mass dance-alongs." The trio’s song, Set On Fire, ranked #4 on Spotify's US Viral 50 and #1 on KROQ's Locals Only, presented by radio personality, Kat Corbett. The group toured with Mike Posner, Beats Antique and Eric Hutchinson.^[15][16][17]

Musical style and influences

The trio has drawn comparisons to bands such as Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, Walk the Moon, Of Monsters and Men and Mumford & Sons.^[18][19][20]The group has cited influences including Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Julian Casablancas, John Hartford and The Avett Brothers.^[21]

Members

• Austin Bis: lead vocals, cello, synthesizer, percussion – Bis also co-wrote/produced the title track for David Guetta’s Listen featuring John Legend and has written singles for artists such as Steve Aoki, Big Time Rush, Paul Oakenfold and Jon Batiste & Stay Human.^[22] In addition, he teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Benny Blanco to create the non-profit, Get Well Soon Tour, whose mission is to bring joy to hospitalized children through surprise visits from superstar musicians (Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5).^[23][24]

• Zambricki Li: banjo, fiddle, viola, cello, harmonica, mandolin, octave mandolin, acoustic guitar, dobro, lap steel, backing vocals – Li wrote and performed an original song for the film Paper Heart starring Michael Cera.^[25][26] Before moving to Los Angeles, he studied under fiddle player Buddy Spicher (Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan) and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement (Johnny Cash, Ray Charles) in Nashville, TN.^[27]

• Brian Zaghi: acoustic guitar, cello, upright bass, electric bass, percussion, backing vocals – Zaghi is also a salsa dancer and Los Angeles native.^[28]

References

External links

• MAGIC GIANT: Official site