Magic Giant (stylized as MAGIC GIANT) is an American alt-rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in early 2014. The group consists of Austin Bisnow (lead vocals), Zambricki Li (viola) and Zang (guitar).
Magic Giant released its debut full-length album In the Wind in 2017, and is best known for its singles "Set On Fire" and "Disaster Party" that each charted top 30 and top 25 respectively on Billboard's Alternative chart, and "Window" which charted top 40 on the Hot AC radio chart.[1][2] The group has had multiple national TV appearances ranging from The Today Show to Good Morning America, and its livestreamed performance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was part of the most livestreamed event in world history.[3]
History
2014–2017: Formation and EP
Magic Giant was formed in early 2014 when songwriting partners Austin Bisnow and Zambricki Li were impressed by a video they saw of now-bandmate, Zang, salsa dancing.[4][5][6][7] The group name originated as a reference from a TED Talk, in which visual artist Peter Tunney described his mentor, Jonas Salk, as a "giant", then clarifying it was not the man's physical nature he was describing, but his ability to think big. Inspired by this, the band motto became "You don't have to be big to be a giant".[8]
In June, Rolling Stone named the group one of 10 New Artists You Need to Know, calling "Set on Fire" the "perfect music festival fare."[27]Matt Pinfield named the song his Trending Track.[28]
"Set on Fire" had reached the top 25 on Mediabase's US Alternative Chart as of July 3, 2017.[29]
Their newer single "Window" had reached top 40 on the Hot AC radio chart as of December 10, 2017.[2]
In 2018, the group was announced on Coachella's lineup.[34]Billboard named Magic Giant one of the "10 Awesome Bands playing Coachella 2018".[35]
2019–2020: Disaster Party
The group released their single "Disaster Party" November 14, 2019, via S-Curve Records / BMG which had reached top 25 on Billboard's Alternative Chart as of June 13, 2020.[36] The trio says the song was inspired by the California wildfires, noting tragedies "actually can bring people together".[37]
The single made its national TV debut when the group performed it on Good Morning America[38] driving the track into the Top 10 iTunes ALT chart.
The group created and hosted a digital music festival called Live From Quarantine, raising over $100,000 for COVID-19-related causes with guests including Woody Harrelson, Edward Norton, David Blaine, The Lumineers, and more.
2021–2023: On The Pacific (Live) and The Valley
In December 2020, the group livestreamed a performance from a ship and subsequently released a live album along with its accompanying live film On The Pacific.
In 2022, they released their sophomore full length studio album The Valley accompanied by a 30-minute short film.[39] The film was written, directed, and produced with Christian A. Pierce (best known for his work on The Real Bros of Simi Valley).
2023–Present: We'll Always Have Paris
In 2023, Magic Giant released the singles "This Could Be Us" with artist Mikky Ekko (best known for his collaboration with Rihanna on "Stay") and the late poet Alan Watts; and "Strange World" featuring Laura Dreyfuss (best known for her work in Glee).
In July 2024, the band released their third length studio album We'll Always Have Paris, and their song “Window” hit 25M streams on Spotify.
In August 2024, Magic Giant opened 3 shows for OneRepublic at the brand new Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, CO, becoming the first act ever to play the venue.[40][41]
Camp Misfits is an annual summer-camp-style festival Magic Giant has been hosting since 2018. Set in the Redwoods of northern California, the gathering has been described as "a weekend nature retreat" and "a four day escape... with lots of music and activities".[47][48] Past artists have included Drew Brown of OneRepublic, Zac Barnett of American Authors, Ben Thornewill of Jukebox the Ghost, POWERS, Victoria Canal, and comedian Danny Jolles.
The festival raised over $100,000 for Frontline Responders Fund to get personal protective equipment to hospital workers and for MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund to offer grants to music industry professionals whose livelihood had been affected by the pandemic.[52]