Magic Castles

Magic Castles

Magic Castles is a United States neo-psychedelia and psychedelic rock group formed in Minneapolis in 2006. The band begins as singer/guitarist Jason Edmonds’ home-recording project before developing into a full group with singer/guitarist Jeremiah Doering, bassist Paul Fuglestad, drummer Brendan McInerney, and Kait Sergenian. Their early sound features bright vocal harmonies, hazy guitars, and warm organ drones, set against fantasy-themed lyrics and a pastoral psychedelic style.

Early releases and lineup changes

The group plays its first show at a friend’s birthday party later in 2006, then starts recording its first record the following summer. Its debut album, The Lore of Mysticore, arrives as a self-released release in June 2008. By that point, keyboardist and singer Noah Skogerboe has joined, and Matt Van Genderen replaces Brendan McInerney on drums. In 2009, this line-up releases the second album Dreams of Dreams and the limited-edition cassette Sounds of the Forest.

A Recordings and later albums

Magic Castles gains wider attention in 2010 when the song “Ballad of the Golden Bird” comes to the attention of Anton Newcombe, who signs the group to his A Recordings label. The label releases the 2012 self-titled album, which draws largely on earlier Magic Castles material and serves as an expanded introduction to the band, bringing back tracks that are out of print. The group’s third studio album, Sky Sounds, follows in 2014, and Starflower appears in 2015. For Starflower, Edmonds handles most of the recording work, with contributions from Doering, drummer Scott Weller, and vocalist Emily Utne.

Later work

After Starflower, Edmonds puts the band into semi-retirement while dealing with an unstable line-up and focusing on family life. He continues recording at home, and after a serious car accident the already-started material is completed during recovery. The sixth Magic Castles album, Sun Reign, is issued by A Recordings in 2021 and includes guitar work from Doering and a cover of Danny & the Counts’ “Ode to the Wind.”