Artmagic

Artmagic is a collaboration between guitarist Richard Oakes and producer/vocalist Sean McGhee.

Richard Oakes is best known for his work with Suede. Joining as guitarist and co-writer in 1994, he has helped them achieve nine top 10 singles and five top 10 albums, including two that charted at number 1.

Sean McGhee has worked as a singer, producer and songwriter for a vast array of artists since 1999. Since 2013 he’s worked primarily as live backing singer and, latterly, musical director for Alison Moyet. He co-wrote the singles “The Rarest Birds” and “Reassuring Pinches” on her 2017 UK top 20 album Other.

Artmagic formed in 2009 and released their debut album Become The One You Love in 2012. Their second album The Songs Of Other England is released on 15th June 2018 on digital services worldwide. A CD edition is available exclusively from artmagic.bandcamp.com

The duo’s goal for their new work was a more direct and rough-hewn sound. Richard says, “we wanted to be instinctive and not overthink the album. We wanted to work on a smaller canvas, with starker colours. And we wanted to leave room for imperfection.” Touched by the disparate influences of Talk Talk, London Grammar, Gabriel-era Genesis and Field Music, the result is an album that’s quite unlike anything the duo has done before, together or separately.

Critical acclaim for The Songs Of Other England:

“Wistful…dramatic…casts an undeniable spell - 4/5” Classic Pop
“Adeptly melds folk-inspired portrait songs and stories to distinct musical approaches” MOJO
“Luxuriates in a hazy, folk-influenced feel as singer/all-rounder Sean McGhee and Suede guitarist Richard Oakes paint in twilight.” Prog Magazine
"It's elegant, it's captivating and very, very stylish" Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music