Surmounting an unforeseen, one-year tour break imposed by coronavirus, Magic Beans hits the airwaves with fresh energy showcased in two new singles: “Sharon Is Karen” drops today, and “Footprints in the Rain” debuts on April 16. Both singles hail from “Slice of Life,” the band’s newest, double-record album scheduled for full release on April 30.

The album’s 14-song lineup is a fusion of funk, soul, live electronica and bluegrass sounds. Intertwined with the four band members’ distinct personalities, each song delivers a different flavor to enchant listeners harmoniously. As the latest release, “Sharon is Karen” is a foray into the world of 80s retro-funk highlighting Juno synth, clean rhythm guitar and harmonized vocals. “Footprints in the Rain” spotlights the band’s long-time dedication to Americana music featuring acoustic instrumentation and declaring the Beans’ Colorado pedigree. This fire-breathing bluegrass song features Torrin Daniels of Kitchen Dwellers on banjo and Nashville pedal-steel master Steelin Hearts.

When the pandemic hit, Magic Beans watched dozens of shows abruptly cancel. Returning to the studio in Denver, the band embraced the freedom to turn inward, reflect and return to the heart of its craft. Inspired by an elemental passion to return to Magic Beans musical roots, “Slice of Life” was born. Splicing past and present experiences, this third album peels back the curtain to give a glimpse into the Beans’ last year. The band said, “The title is ’Slice of Life’ because it’s just that: a random and unplanned snapshot of the band in this time and place – a self-portrait done unknowingly.”

With primary focus on bringing fun to the artistic process, a collaboration of forces converged to fashion a record for Magic Beans fans. Homemade and hand-cut collages for the album artwork were designed by Beans' tour manager, collaborator and journalist Austin Koontz. David Glasser, the man behind the Grateful Dead’s recordings, mastered the magic caught on tape by the band. From start to finish, the album expresses Magic Beans’ love for creating art.

In previous years, Magic Beans performances spanned festivals and venues across the nation. Navigating the current landscape, Magic Beans adapts with the flexibility only a touring band can understand. The band stated, “Throughout our days as a traveling band, we’ve encountered many a situation that is unexplainably surreal in its abnormality, but at the same time, indicative of the location, culture and context we find ourselves. … We’d say, ‘Man, that’s a slice of life, isn’t it?’ … then keep heading down the road.”

Whether on the road or off tour, Magic Beans remains on course. With a deepened purpose to connect with fans, the band welcomes the opportunity to share “Slice of Life” with audiences on stage or on the airwaves.

Rounding a 10-year milestone on the Colorado music scene and persevering through a one-year tour break, Magic Beans announces release of its third album “Slice of Life” today. Aptly named as a peek into the band’s year off tour, the 14-song album weaves a tapestry of sound purposefully mastered to stir deeper connection with Magic Beans fans.

With the pandemic rendering physical shows an impossibility, Magic Beans faced the challenge of building community without the experience afforded by in-person venues. Thrown outside of the rhythms of life on the road, the band regrouped and returned to the studio. The unexpected disjuncture offered a space to focus on strengthening bonds with fans through the music. “It’s a completely different approach when you’re coming at this without the live show in the picture at all. It was a totally fresh and truly studio-oriented experience,” Magic Beans reflected.

Determined to thrive artistically while reaching into the lives of fans from afar, Magic Beans considered its roots, its current reality and its future. Discovering elemental clarity for its newest project, the Beans pushed into experience-evoking sounds to win not only followers, but listeners for life. The album’s underpinnings stem from a desire to build a sense of connection, no matter the circumstance, obstacle or distance.

Focused on crafting distinct sounds reflective of the Beans’ personality, the band built to a creative peak. Interlacing varied harmonies, the final album delivers a playlist inspired by a blend of funk, soul, live electronica and bluegrass. The band stated, “We have such an immense respect for all the ways to approach making music that we really leave nothing off the table.” Enlisting the talents of artistic powerhouses including David Glasser of Grateful Dead recordings, Torrin Daniels of Kitchen Dwellers, and Nashville’s Steelin Hearts, the band birthed track after track to produce the “Slice of Life” compilation.

Recent debuts from the album spotlighted three of the album’s singles. “Sweet Thang” is a nod to the soul, funk and R&B players of the 60s and 70s. With inspiration from the Minneapolis sounds of Prince and Morris Day, “Sharon Is Karen” takes on the flashier and sexier era of 80s funk. ”Footprints in the Rain” embraces local flair with Colorado tastes of Americana and bluegrass. The track’s sounds are reminiscent of Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass, Infamous Stringdusters and other genre bands. All indicators point to hearty reception of “Slice of Life” by fans. The Mishawaka album release show on May 8 was sold out by mid-April.

Magic Beans broke into the dense fabric of the Colorado music scene at the Fox Theatre in 2010. The band quickly recognized the propensity for festival-circuit jam bands to inadvertently produce similar sounds. Desiring to differentiate itself in a sea of talented artists, the Beans set out to shape its signature style. With a wide range of American influences, the band injects unique energy into each piece. “We’re always listening to new music, as well as the classics, and try to stay inspired to push the envelope and reach new musical realms,” the band said.

In addition to Magic Beans’ performances in venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the band founded and hosts the Beanstalk Festival in Eagle County each year. To date, the band boasts eight festivals attracting more than 1,000 fans per event. Festivalgoers from across the country groove to the sounds of Magic Beans and invited guest acts. True to Beans vision, the festival remains fan-centered as the band seeks direct interaction and feedback from attendees.

Invigorated by the perspective granted by the last year, Magic Beans embraces 2021 with a renewed commitment to captivate followers. In offering its own “Slice of Life” to listeners, the band welcomes a glimpse into the lives of fans as the music aims to kindle meaningful connection online or on stage.

To preview the entire “Slice of Life” album, visit Spotify.

Watch the official “Sweet Thang” and “Footprints in the Rain” videos on YouTube.

Ready to go to bat on his first-ever solo tour, singer-songwriter Andy Sydow announces his latest, three-track EP “Time Stands Between” taking listeners on a reflective journey through the “bases of life.” Newly recorded “Alibi” drops on July 15 while brand-new singles “Just Want You to Notice Me Again” and “When It Ends” debut on August 19.

The upcoming EP houses three singles thoughtfully selected for their metaphorical significance. Building to what Sydow refers to as the bases of life, he walks listeners through chapters encountered in the adult experience: crossroads, past relationships and death. The musician explains, “I think less about what I think people want to hear in a song. Lately in my writing, I find myself wanting to write about real-life situations and things I relate to.”

As the first base and starting single on the album, the inspiration for “Alibi” stemmed from Sydow’s struggle with conflicting experiences in his career in 2015. On the heels of a sold-out gig opening for Tab Benoit at the Gothic, he found himself playing for customer requests at a steak house the following night. With a goal of performing at 500-capacity shows before he turned 30, Sydow grappled with the paradox of the grind against the glimpse of stardom. Considering the highs and lows of the music industry, Sydow said, “It was just this kind of crazy ego reality check.” Pushing past the wounds of disillusionment, the musician remained undeterred from continuing forward in his music career. Nonetheless he felt “a reason to move on to something else … to a better situation.” “Alibi” emerged as an examination of life’s crossroads: the barriers – real or perceived – in juxtaposition to personal breakthrough. In 2016, the song initially released on an album entitled “A Little Messed Up.” The recently crafted version is one of seven songs recorded by Sydow in December 2019.

Sydow partially recorded the latest version of “Alibi” at Third and James Studios in Denver with his backing band. To finalize the project, he personally completed recording by adding lap steel, acoustic guitar, piano and synths from his home studio to skillfully produce the track. The piece has received extensive attention already. Earning Sydow the distinction of being a Club 7 member, “Alibi” was a finalist in the 2021 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Songwriting Competition Festival. It has also garnered recognition as finalist in both the 2020 International Songwriting Competition and the 2020 Durango Songwriters Expo Song Competition.

Driving to the second base of the EP, the title “Just Want You to Notice Me Again” encapsulates the song’s message clearly. As an honest lament of the sense of loss and attention felt when a love interest’s excitement fades, the track speaks from the voice of the abandoned partner. This track was recorded at Third and James Studios in Denver last month.

As the third track, “When It Ends” was recorded in the same seven-song session as “Alibi” in December 2019. Loading the bases, the single explores the inevitability of death opposite the temporary weight of daily choices. The song presents a moral lesson seeking to insert perspective. Sydow states, “Basically the moral of ‘When It Ends’ is enjoy life because it’s all going to end, and it just doesn’t matter.”

Sydow is a musician and storyteller. The lyrical pictures he paints are reminiscent of Paul Simon and Billy Joel as he applies occasional injections of satire. As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Sydow’s talents have opened the doors to opportunities both at home and abroad. Widely recognized, he has opened for acts including Chuck Prophet, Brett Dennen, Samantha Fish, Shane Smith and the Saints, Dick Dale, Koe Wetzel, Chase Rice, Tab Benoit, and Anders Osborne.

Off the road, Sydow hosts “Middle Class Rock Star,” a podcast for creatives and music industry professionals. Sydow has hosted heavy hitters like Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon, Andy Frasco, Brody Danger of 7S Management, and Jeremy Lawton of Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

Rounding his own bases of life, Sydow sculpts experience into song for connection with fans. Conceived from his personal reflections, each single evokes themes to which audiences can relate. Sydow brings it in for a home run with “Time Stands Between.”

To preview “Alibi,” visit SoundCloud. For “Just Want You to Notice Me Again,” go to YouTube.

With today marking the full release of his latest EP “Time Stands Between,” singer-songwriter Andy Sydow steps up to the plate for a five-week, baseball-inspired “Dirty 30” road tour to debut the album. With a nod to what Sydow calls the “bases of life,” the artist belts his latest sounds at venues from Colorado to Tennessee, as well as busking outside of a few baseball stadiums along the way.

Representative of a bases-loaded lineup, the tour spotlights “Time Stands Between,” a metaphorical walk through three heavy hitting themes. With raw honesty, each track delves deep capturing paradox in the face of tough realities. As the tracks study personal crossroads, past relationships and death, Sydow said, “These three songs are a reflection of life in a way. It's not necessarily a pretty reflection either.” Encapsulating snapshots to emote identification with fans, the album boasts an all-star lineup.

On first base, “Alibi” contrasts the irony of external and internal barriers in juxtaposition to personal breakthrough. Birthed from a period of career disillusionment, Sydow first recorded the track in 2016. As a crowd favorite, the artist remastered the track’s previously slower and more intimate cadence to match the energy he continually encounters from fans in live concerts. Earning Sydow distinction as a Club 7 member, “Alibi” placed as finalist in the 2021 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Songwriting Competition Festival. Additionally the track received notice as finalist in both the 2020 International Songwriting Competition and the 2020 Durango Songwriters Expo Song Competition.

Lamenting the loss of attention of a past love interest, “Just Want You to Notice Me Again” speaks from the voice of the forgotten partner. Holding position as second base on the EP, the piece garnered attention as semi-finalist in the 2020 International Songwriting Competition.

As the third base on the album, “When It Ends” is an exposition of the temporal importance of daily decisions weighed against the inescapability of an individual’s waning significance in death. Another award winner, it received recognition as finalist in the 2021 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Songwriting Competition Festival.

Sifting multiple influences over his years as an artist, Sydow identifies the style for “Time Stands Between” as modern Americana and folk. Sydow stated, “This is just maybe the first release that I feel sounds like me.” At the same time, he does not intend to pigeonhole into a defining sound. Leaning into ranging styles to produce fresh music will continue to characterize Sydow’s unique artistry.

For Sydow, his music reaches farther than songwriting. Sydow paints in lyrical imagery infusing satire while building both common and pivotal narratives to relate with listeners. When asked to define the bases of life, the artist stated, “It's life. It's the process. It's the joy and the pain and the curiosity and the melancholy all at once. It's a symbol of everything.”

The “Dirty 30” tour schedule lands the artist at gigs in six states. Tying into the overarching theme of the album, Sydow seized the opportunity to plot a tour route throwing back to a tradition of visiting baseball stadiums while on summer vacation. “Planning my own trip and doing it around my own career feels like it’s come full circle … rounding the bases,” said Sydow.

Sydow launches tonight with the first show at the Lair of the Swamp Fox in Grand Island, Nebraska. While on the road, the musician will perform solo, but he will close the tour headlining with his band at Dazzle in Denver on Sept. 22.

Rounding another base, Sydow will celebrate his 30th birthday playing a gig at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups adjacent to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The artist will also deliver impromptu busking performances outside of baseball stadiums along the tour circuit. Appearances will be spotlighted on social media.

Whether wielding a guitar, a piano or a baseball glove, Sydow extracts thought-provoking analogy from life experience. The three tracks of “Time Stands Between” capture reflective themes to load the bases and drive the tour in for a grand slam.

Tracks for “Time Stands Between” are available on SoundCloud.

To see Sydow’s full tour schedule and to buy tickets, visit www.andysydow.com.

In an insightful examination of life, death, and the clarity stirred by life’s final moments, Magic Beans delivers lyrical depth and artistic range in its newest release “You & Me.” Dropping today, the single demonstrates a broadening musical palette for the band as they infuse the tune with Americana, folk, and country sounds.

With over 100 songs in their repertoire, Magic Beans’ previous lineup has primarily offered a jam-band, funk sound known for crowd-pleasing rhythms to evoke fan connection and interaction. Leading audiences on a path of reflection, “You & Me” introduces a new dimension in songwriting for the band. By intentionally branching into fresh genres, the style generates a sound crafted to complement the message.  Acoustic guitar, piano, b3 organ, and three-part harmonies are knit artfully together to serve the song while lifting the lyrics in melodic accord.

In “You & Me,” the narrator’s day starts out like any other. Even though he takes note of elements of beauty as he embarks on a new day, he slides casually through the routines of the morning. Through an abrupt turn of events, he quickly realizes he is facing immediate death. In his final moments, he hears a voice ask what he wishes for his remaining time. The narrator requests his favorite song and names some of nature’s gifts that he will mourn no longer experiencing. Ultimately his perspective sharpens as he says, “... most of all, I’ll miss you and me.” A relationship proves to be the treasure of his life.

When asked about the inspiration for the piece, songwriter, and band leader Scott Hachey discussed the events provoking him to consider what he would cherish if suddenly confronted with death. A personal experience incited Hachey to internal reflection. He pondered, “What’s it like to have your last moments alive? What would I want on my deathbed? What would I tell myself to find solace? What mattered to me?” The single grapples in self-examination from the vantage point of a life cut short. The listener is directed to focus with gratitude on the greatest gem: appreciating relationships with loved ones.

“You & Me” was conceived in Minnesota in the setting of Hachey’s family cabin. To bring the song full circle, the band determined to record it in its birthplace. While other tunes were also slated to be laid down at the time, plans were thwarted when a thunderstorm knocked out power for a week. Although the Beans were unable to capture the other tracks during the recording session, “You & Me” resiliently emerged. Hachey feels the song was “meant to be” and holds a special place in his career as an artist.

Breaking into the Colorado music scene in 2010, Magic Beans quickly recognized the need to differentiate a distinct sound in a scene flooded with aspiring talent. Drawing from a wide range of American artists, the band invented its signature style in flavors of funk, R&B, rock, and soul with some country influence.

In addition to Magic Beans’ performances in venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the band founded and hosts the Beanstalk Festival in Eagle County each year. Gearing up for its 11th event, the band anticipates grooving together with festivalgoers from across the nation this summer.

With this latest dive into Americana music, Magic Beans establishes extended scope in songwriting and lyrical vision. Presenting an exciting addition and a new taste to their collection, the Beans look forward to introducing “You & Me” to fans far and wide.