MarchFourth continues to host some of the most exciting live performances today, as the giant band of 20 musicians, stilters, acrobats and more never ceases to amaze. It’s truly a “you have to see it to believe it” experience, and its all backed by some of the tightest musicians around. Today, the band makes an exciting announcement of their brand new album, MAGIC NUMBER, capturing the band’s large sound and socially conscious message with every turn.

Due out on September 30th, the band’s fourth full-length album was recorded in New Orleans with producer Ben Ellman (Galactic) and engineer/producer Mikael “Count” Eldridge (DJ Shadow, Tycho, Galactic, Trombone Shorty) keeping the brassy swagger alive. Entirely fan-funded through Kickstarter, the independent release also features sit-ins from Trombone Shorty, Matt Perrine and Stanton Moore. The NOLA influences permeate throughout the record, only adding to the band’s groovy sound.

We’re beyond excited to share the first cut from this new album! Listen to “Push It Back” featuring Stanton Moore, streaming below exclusively via L4LM.

Songwriter, trumpeter and project manager Paul Theodore Chandler talks about the origins of the song, saying, “After our producer Ben Ellman initially listened to my most recent composition “Hotstepper” which I wrote for this album, he asked me if I could do another that had similar qualities to balance it out. Up for the challenge, I literally wrote this tune driving home in my car using the voice recorder app on my phone, and immediately went to my studio and cut the demo in the next hour. The lyrics came so easily and so free it is one of those beautiful moments when the music writes itself.

Musically “Push it Back” draws from two of my musical heroes: James Brown and Fela Kuti. Lyrically, to honor the politics of both these revolutionary artists, there was no choice but to have it be a protest song. it’s an invitation, it’s a warning, and it’s a call for action. The idea to have the great Stanton Moore play drums on this tune was a no-brainer. He came into the studio and truly made this groove his own, while still being sensitive and respectful to the composition, which is a true mark of a master musician. This song goes out to all of those involved in the struggle for Justice and Equality. Black Lives Matter.”

With this first cut, we can’t wait to hear more from this exciting MAGIC NUMBER release. For more information about the band, you can check out their website here. You can also see the full tour dates and tracklisting below, as well as a preview of the new release.

MAGIC NUMBER Track Listing

1. CALL TO ACTION 3:20 (Meade)
2. THE QUARTER 4:06 (Chandler)
3. MAGIC NUMBER 4:18 (Averill)
4. PUSH IT BACK 2:51 *featuring Stanton Moore (Chandler)
5. INVENTING THE WHEEL 6:51 *featuring Trombone Shorty and Ben Ellman (Meade)
6. HOTSTEPPER 3:36 (Chandler)
7. DRUNK BEARS 3:24 (Meade)
8. JAN JAR 3:04 (Aglipay)
9. SCIENCE (FREE YOUR MIND) 6:00 *featuring Matt Perrine (Meade)
10. IT’S A TRAP! 4:13 (Meade)
11. ENDLESS HIGHWAY 1:21 (Chandler)

Produced by Ben Ellman
Except tracks 1,2,4,6 produced by Ben Ellman and Count

MarchFourth’s ‘Magic Number’ 2016 Tour Dates

9/8 Thu – Central Park Sessions – Madison, WI
9/9 Fri – Be Here Now – Muncie, IN             
9/10 Sat – TBA – Detroit, MI      
9/11 Sun – Abbey Bar of Appalachian Brewery – Harrisburg, PA
9/13 Tue – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC
9/14 Wed – The Rocks Off Concert Cruise – New York, NY
9/15 Thu – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME
9/16-18 Fri-Sun – Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival – Fredericton, NB
9/22 Thu – Belly Up Aspen – Aspen, CO
9/23 Fri – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO
9/24 Sat – Mishawaka Amphitheater – Bellvue, CO
9/25 Sun – Center for the Arts – Jackson, WY
9/30-10/1 Fri-Sat – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co’s Oktoberfest – Chico, CA
10/4 Tue – Harlow’s – Sacramento, CA
10/5 Wed – Don Quixote’s International Music Hall – Felton, CA  
10/6 Thu – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
10/7-8 Fri-Sat – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co’s Oktoberfest – Chico, CA       
10/28 Fri – Revolution Hall (2 shows!) – Portland, OR
12/15 Thu – Egyptian Theater – Boise, ID
12/17 Sat – Winthrop Barn Auditorium – Winthrop, WA

[Cover photo via Matt Adamik]