Can you feel the magic in the music?

MAGIC! brings back feel-good tunes

By Michelle Suleyman, Contributor

Nasri Atweh, lead singer of the Canadian band MAGIC! describes the group’s music as being “meant to put you in  a good mood.” This couldn’t be truer with the band’s easy-going pop-rock-reggae sound and catchy lyrics.

The band consists of four members: lead singer Nasri, guitarist Mark Pelli, drummer Alex Tanas, and bassist Ben Spivak. Originally from Toronto, they came together when   Nasri and Pelli started a band, to be joined by Tanas and Spivak.

Bands like the Police, the Wailers, and No Doubt inspired MAGIC’s sound in various ways. With these influences, along with their own tastes, the band came up with a sound that will get your body swaying and you singing along to their catchy lyrics. Their first hit single “Rude” is a mid-tempo track that tells a story about a young man asking his girlfriend’s father for her hand in marriage, which the father flat-out refuses. The lead character in the song tries to persuade the father, but decides to marry the girl with or without permission. The accompanying music video does a good job of both capturing the story and being entertaining.

The members of MAGIC! have separately been involved with music for years. In particular, Nasri is a Grammy Award-winning producer, and has worked with such artists as Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Big Time Rush, and Justin Bieber. He was also a producer on Chris Brown’s album F.A.M.E., which won a Grammy for best R&B album in 2012.

If you haven’t heard “Rude,” you should check it out. It’s sure to be a summer hit with its laid-back, breezy beat. Also be on the lookout for other great MAGIC! songs, “No Evil” and “Let Your Hair Down.”

Be prepared: MAGIC! is out to cast a spell on you and so far, they have many fans hypnotized.

For the latest information, you can follow them on Twitter (@ournameisMAGIC) or check out their website www.ournameismagic.com