Tag: Dream Pop

Magic Seas are a hidden gem I discovered at the London Merch Market in January.  Brothers James and John Prudence recorded with Mark Gardener from Ride at his OX4 Sound studio, and their music has been described as ‘enchanting’, ‘atmospheric indie’ and ‘dream pop’. I picked up a copy of their third album From This View and was mesmerised by their unique sound – it washes over you and draws you in. So, I arranged a chat with them to find out more…

Who are Magic Seas?

Formed in 2017, Magic Seas released a handful of singles before putting out a split EP with The Cult of Free Love in 2019. They describe these early tracks as helping them find their feet and define their sound, eventually leading to their 2022 debut album Paint the Waves. 

“We grew up in quite a musical household, so there were always musical instruments at home,” James reflects about their formative years. “We both played in other bands when we were younger, but with Magic Seas, it’s always been me and John.”

Both brothers sing and play guitar – John on acoustic and James on electric. In the studio, they also use a drum machine, with James adding keyboard overdubs and John playing harmonica. They’ve recently been exploring more layered vocal harmonies.

Mark Gardener has been involved since their earliest recordings, helping them refine their sound. They credit luck for bringing him on board after sending him a demo. 

“A couple of weeks later, Mark just gave us a shout and was just like,‘heard these and can hear something in it’, and that was it really,” James explains. “We were so lucky to have someone like Mark in from the ground up.” 

He notes that this is unusual in the streaming era, where most bands must release tracks before getting any attention. 

“We’d done a very early recording session with Mark before Magic Seas even played a gig. When we’re in the studio, it’s just the three of us. Mark said a couple of sessions ago that we’re really in the rhythm now, we don’t really need to describe too much what we’re doing or what we want, we’re all pulling in the same direction in the studio, which is amazing.”

Magic Seas also focus on ensuring their recorded sound translates live:

“For us there’s always been the strands that run through one, we’ve always wanted to run through the other. Being able to perform what we’ve done on our records has always been quite important to us.” 

They note that playing live between studio sessions helps refine their ideas.

What do Magic Seas Sound Like?

“Our sound has one foot in the 60s, and one foot in 80s indie,” James says. “But really, it’s sort of a melting pot.” He cites influences including Gene Clark, The Delays, Robyn Hitchcock, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and Shack. 

“When you trace a lot of indie bands back, particularly from the 80s, 90s, that they’re all influenced by Gene Clark, Velvet Underground and the Byrds, obviously a huge influence for so many people, and obviously Beatles, Stones, Small Faces. All the 90s Britpop stuff as well, we grew up listening to, so that’s been a big early influence.”

“We’ve got a lot of the same taste, but we are influenced by a lot of different stuff, as well,” adds John. “The side of the songwriting is really important to us.” He names Townes Van Zandt and Nick Drake as songwriting influences. “But then, we’ve got sonic influences, there’s a lot of shoegaze stuff, and I think as James says, there’s a bit of a melting pot with that, which is maybe why some people think we’ve got a bit of a unique sound. I think we’re trying to put some different things together there.”

James highlights another key ingredient: “A big influence on our sound is: how much sound can we make just between the 2 of us? It’s not typical guitar, bass and drums, although a lot of those aspects are there, perhaps it’s presented in a slightly different way, which I think is added to maybe standing out a little bit, because there’s a lot of good musicians out there.”

The instrumental tracks on From This View have a soundscape quality. 

“Yeah, absolutely,” James agrees. “I think there’s a few elements to our sound. There is that more atmospheric side to it, there’s a more acoustic side to it, as well as the more electric-y kind of sound. I think those moments where it can be more expansive are almost a bit of a palate cleanser, if you’re listening to a record from start to finish. If you have moments that are more atmospheric or an interlude, I think they can give you that depth to it.”

From This View to In Both Directions

Magic Seas have recently finished recording their fourth album, In Both Directions, which is planned for release this summer. Having enjoyed From This View, I asked how the new record compares. James explains:

“There was a very short gap in between finishing the songs, even writing some of the songs on it, and going to record them. In terms of the last year, musically, personally, there were a few ups and downs, and I think that a lot of that is immediately in this next record. It feels that there’s some highs and lows all happening at the same time. I think sonically, there’s obviously quite a lot of space in what we do, but I think there’s perhaps a little bit more of an openness to the sound. There’s not loads of overdubs or loads of trickery going on. But then again, I suppose there’s also some quite expansive moments on it as well. So it’s a juxtaposition of a lot of different things, but it’s quite simple in the delivery of it.”

He contrasts this with From This View. “That album was very much informed by the year before last, we’d gigged quite a bit, and our sound became more robust from playing more because if you’re a band that people aren’t that familiar with, and you’re playing for half an hour in front of them, you need to try and win them over very immediately.”

“From This View, I’d like to think it’s quite snappy and quite immediate, whereas there’s a few moments on the new record that take a step back and take a deep breath maybe, compared to From This View. But it’s all still quite fresh and John’s just finished the artwork for it. So it’s at that moment where we’ve nervously got one eye towards putting it out in the world and hopefully people enjoy it.” 

Sense of Space

The band name reflects their desire to transport listeners, creating a sense of space with undercurrents running beneath the sound.

John adds, “We’re influenced by movement and nature as well, and that’s probably a part of the name as well in some ways.”

There’s a lot of mention of space in relation to their sound, and they explain that they are influenced by where they live. “Essex has got some really underrated, beautiful countryside and it’s very flat, so you get big skies,” says James. 

“It’s not just enjoying that space in the moment, but interpreting it and being influenced by it as well, I think it’s important for us with what we do with Magic Seas,” continues John.

The Merch Market

Magic Seas were put forward by Mark Gardener to play at Tim Burgess’ Tim Peaks Diner at Kendal Calling on 2nd August, which led to their involvement in the London Merch Market in January. What were the highlights?

“Just meeting so many people and seeing so many people just there to buy new bands and check out bands they already liked. It was a really good atmosphere and vibe the whole day. Seeing all the people that did the talks was great. And for us, we felt so grateful to be there and just having people be able to see us, see the name, have a chance to find out about us basically, we’re just so grateful to be there. Great day,” replies John.

“Whenever you get like-minded people in the same space together, it sort of joins dots, doesn’t it?” adds James. “I’m sure everybody that took part will have had that and found new bands and met new people.” I completely agree!

Reminiscing About the 90s

To wrap up the interview, I asked each of them to name a song, album and band that defines the 90s for them.

James: “So I would say, Oasis, What’s the Story (Morning Glory), and Wonderwall. I’m sure, Wonderwall will have spawned thousands of bands, and all sorts. So whilst that’s an obvious answer, I think it’s probably the most honest one. Personally for me because it felt like I could hear those things from the 60s and 70s in it, but where it was happening at the moment, whilst I wasn’t old enough to go to the sort of club nights and the gigs and stuff like that, it still felt I was a little bit of a part of it. And that was probably the first time I felt that really.”

John: “I’m a little bit younger than James, so for me, I remember the Supergrass big singles capturing my energy and imagination. Supergrass, Alright. So, an album, The Bluetones Expecting to Fly album, I remember both of us listening to that and the whole album being a good memory.”

It’s been lovely chatting with James and John, and getting to know what Magic Seas are all about. From This View is a fantastic album, you can hear it here: MAGIC SEAS

Magic Seas will play Tim Peaks Diner at Kendal Calling on 2nd August 2026. Look out for their new album In Both Directions and tour dates this summer.