Majical Cloudz
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Devon Welsh, Matthew E. Duffy |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Majical Cloudz was a musical duo originating from Montreal, Canada, composed of vocalist and songwriter Devon Welsh alongside Matt Otto. The partnership concluded in March 2016.
History
Devon Welsh, whose parents are actor Kenneth Welsh and Corinne Farago, initiated Majical Cloudz as a joint venture in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2010. The project began with Matthew E. Duffy, resulting in a self-titled cassette released through Numbers Station, followed by the EP Earth to a Friend/Mountain Eyes and their first full-length album II in 2011. Shortly thereafter, Duffy departed, and Matt Otto—recognized for his work in electronic music and experimental soundscapes—joined the group in 2012, making his debut on the EP Turns, Turns, Turns.
Their sophomore album, Impersonator, was launched on May 21, 2013 under Matador Records and earned a spot on the longlist for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. The band engaged in extensive touring throughout North America and Europe, including performances at Toronto's NXNE festival and the Northside Festival in New York City. Pitchfork placed Impersonator eighth among the top albums of 2013. In 2014, Majical Cloudz served as the opening act for Lorde during her North American tour.
The third studio effort, Are You Alone?, released on October 16, 2015, garnered widespread critical praise and secured a nomination for a Juno Award. In January 2016, they issued the EP Wait And See, continuing their collaboration with Owen Pallett, who had also contributed to Are You Alone?.
The track "Downtown" by Majical Cloudz was featured in the episode titled "Paradise," episode five of season one of the streaming series The OA, broadcast on December 16, 2016.
On March 4, 2016, Welsh publicly announced via social media that he and Otto were ending their collaboration and that Are You Alone? would be their final full album. Since then, both artists have embarked on independent projects.
Studio albums
- Majical Cloudz (2010)
- II (2011)
- Impersonator (2013)
- Are You Alone? (2015)
EPs
- Earth to a Friend/Mountain Eyes (2011)
- Turns Turns Turns (2012)
- Wait & See (2016)
Singles
- Childhood's End (2013)
- Tour Journals (2014)