Watch out for Magenta Wave and their track “Tightrope“. The four-piece rock band became local legends in Bellingham, WA, before moving to Seattle. Blending alternative, indie, and psychedelic rock, the band could easily find a home on Spotify’s Rock Essentials, Rock & Roll Anthems, New Noise, and Folk & Friends playlists. The track was produced by several people including William Mapp, Matthew Blount, and Chantel Bailey, mixed by William Mapp, and mastered by Ed Brooks (known for his work with Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie). This is the first of a 4-song EP set to release throughout the year.

Check out the track on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

“Tightrope” is your first single from the upcoming EP. What inspired the song, both lyrically and musically? Could you walk me through your creative process in crafting this track?
Tightrope was one of those songs that naturally just came to me. I came home feeling emotional, put my capo on the second fret, and things started to happen from there. I ended up rewriting the song, but decided to keep the themes of the feeling of losing control and the fear of change. Feeling as if even when I draw a line within myself and tell myself that was the last straw, my habits seem to always fall back into place; whether that be with relationships, personal struggles or vices I have. The song is a reminder of that, and it can be taken in multiple ways. For me it’s the constant nudge to keep trying to change, and to never stop working on those vices of mine.

Can you share which artists or bands have influenced your musical style?
We see ourselves collectively as a melting point of different inspirations, relating both to whom we are as artists and the instruments we play. That is one of the concepts we feel makes our music so unique. We all love different types of music, and learn from various groups and genres. Grayson would list strong singer/songwriter artists as heavy influences; such as Josh Harmon and Briston Maroney. Kellen loves classic rock, and studies the work of the greats such as Mitch Mitchell, and John Bonham. Nathaniel considers the rock-bassists with funk-integrated roots to be his groove; with Flea and Billy Cox coming to mind. Taylor would highlight Jimi Hendrix as driving motivation since day one, with “Jimi”-trained guitarists such as John Frusciante and Stevie Ray Vaughn providing notable influence as well.

You’ve had amazing success selling out the Blue Room twice. What makes that venue stand out for Magenta Wave? Do you feel a special connection to it, or is it just a great place to perform?
We absolutely love the Blue Room. The venue opened soon after pandemic restrictions lifted in 2022, as an all-ages spot right smack in the middle of downtown. One of the things that makes this place so special is the deep care and commitment they have for the integration of music within the community, in a place where viewers of any age can experience and enjoy it. It was the first professional space to offer us a show, so it will forever have a special place in our hearts. Our drummer Kellen wasn’t 21 yet, and most of our initial friends and fans were still in college, which made the venue a perfect spot for us to perform.

If you could join any tour, which one would it be?
Playing with an artist that compliments our sound such as Briston Maroney or Ocean Alley would make a lot of sense. If we ever got the golden ticket, playing with a group such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Strokes, or Pearl Jam would be a dream come true. It would be an absolute honor to be able to share that type of experience with some of the most seasoned musicians out there. As a young group with a lot to learn, that would be perfect for us to grow.