Ada Lea - "midnight magic"

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Photo by Tess Roby

Montreal's Ada Lea, aka musician Alexandra Levy, has a new single out on Saddle Creek that's going to work for those of us who enjoy Saddle Creek releases. "midnight magic" is a surprisingly simple song that is mostly Ada Lea's vocals and keys, but it somehow feels more involved than that. I can't quite explain that since the production is also simple with the focus on vocals and piano. There's some double tracking vocals to create harmonies, but "midnight magic" is a mysteriously upbeat and impactful song that feels more complex than it is. Apologies for getting hacky with this comment, but that's the true magic of "midnight magic."

Ada Lea says of her latest single:

“I felt like I was taking a leap of faith with this surreal approach—and it felt good to trust that the song knew best. In an artist talk, Margaux Williamson said her new body of work took her 8 years to complete, and said ‘I am constantly needing to remind myself that the hand knows better than the brain.’ I nodded Yes. When it came time to record the vocals, a lot had happened since the initial recording session, the most significant being a second trimester pregnancy loss. It was gruelling. As soon as I physically could, I started singing and resumed working on the album again. As I sang the first lines of this song, which go ‘angel, promise me this,’ I immediately burst into tears because I knew that the song was for my baby.”

You can watch the video for "midnight magic" below. when i paint my masterpiece is due out August 8 on Saddle Creek, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Ada Lea, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include September 11 at AS220 in Providence, RI and September 13 at Brick House in Turner's Falls, MA.


Fri, Aug 16 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Sat, Aug 17 - Bristol, UK @ Rough Trade Bristol w/ Allegra Krieger
Sun, Aug 18 - Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete's w/ Allegra Krieger
Mon, Aug 19 - Glasgow, UK @ Nice n' Sleazy w/ Allegra Krieger
Tue, Aug 20 - Chester, UK @ St. Mary's Creative Space w/ Allegra Krieger
Wed, Aug 21 - London, UK @ Lexington, Line of Best Fit w/ Allegra Krieger
Sun. Aug. 31 — Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, QC @ FME (Festival de Musique Émergente)
Wed, Sept 10 - Burlington, VT @ Radio Bean
Thu, Sept 11 - Providence, RI @ AS220
Fri, Sept 12 - Catskill, NY - Avalon
Sat, Sept 13 - Turner Falls, MA @ Brick House
Mon, Sept 15 - New York, NY @ NightClub 101
Tue, Sept 16 - Washington, DC @ Quarry House
Wed, Sept 17 - Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Thu, Sept 18 - Nashville, TN @ East Room
Fri, Sept 19 - Chicago, IL @ Judson & Moore
Sat, Sept 20 - Windsor, ON @ Phog Lounge
Sun, Sept 21 - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
Tue, Oct 14 - Montreal, QC @ Toscadura
Wed, Oct 15 - Hamilton @ Roony's
Fri, Oct 17 - Kalamazoo, MI @ TV Station
Sat, Oct 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Sky High
Sun, Oct 19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cloudland
Mon, Oct 20 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
Wed, Oct 22 - Butte, Montana @ Carpenters Union Hall
Fri, Oct 24 - Seattle, WA @ Ballard Homestead
Sat, Oct 25 - Vancouver, BC @ Kingsway
Mon, Oct 27 - Portland, OR @ Turn Turn Turn
Wed, Oct 29 - San Francisco, CA @ The Knockout
Thu, Oct 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Scribble
Sat, Nov 1 - Salt Lake City @ The Pearl on Main
Sun, Nov 2 - Denver @ Hi Dive
Tue, Nov 4 - Lincoln, NE @ Reactor Coffee
Thu, Nov 5 - Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel

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