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The Magic Numbers
Background information
Origin	Ealing, London, England
Genres	Alternative rock, indie rock
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Capitol Records/EMI, Heavenly, Caroline International, Role Play Records
Members	Angela Gannon Sean Gannon Michele Stodart Romeo Stodart

The Magic Numbers are an English alternative rock band consisting of two brother-and-sister pairs, from Hanwell in west London. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005. Their follow-up album, Those the Brokes, was released on 6 November 2006; The Runaway was released on 6 June 2010, Alias was released on 18 August 2014, and their most recent album, Outsiders, was released on 11 May 2018.

The Magic Numbers consists of Romeo Stodart (lead guitar, vocals), his sister Michele Stodart (bass guitar, vocals, glockenspiel), Angela Gannon (melodica, percussion, keyboard, vocals) and her brother Sean Gannon (drums).

History

Backgrounds

The Stodarts are the children of a Scottish father and a Portuguese mother and were born in Trinidad in the Caribbean, where their mother was an opera singer and had her own TV show. When the family fled an Islamic coup attempt there in 1990, they were raised in New York City. In the mid-1990s, when Romeo was 16 and Michele was 10, they moved to London.

The Gannons are of Irish descent but lived in Hanwell, London where they became friends with their neighbours the Stodarts. Prior to forming the Magic Numbers, Romeo and Sean spent time trying to form a band together under various guises, and previously performed under the name 'Guess'.

Early years

In late 2002 The Magic Numbers formed in their present guise, and they began touring the London circuit, gradually developing their sound and building a small cult following, not least amongst some already established artists including The Chemical Brothers, Travis, and Ed Harcourt, with the latter later influential in their signing to record label Heavenly Records, narrowly choosing that label over Rough Trade Records.

Their rise came swiftly, beginning in the summer of 2004 and later that year when they began supporting well-known artists such as Travis, Ed Harcourt and Snow Patrol and appearing on the bill of some low-key UK festivals, building a larger following by increasing their live performances. In November 2004, they released a limited edition 7" vinyl single, "Hymn for Her", to coincide with a three-show residency at The Borderline in London.

The Magic Numbers

On the back of releasing just one commercially available single, "Forever Lost", and even before their debut album was released, they played a sold-out show to a crowd of over 2,000 at The Forum in Kentish Town, London, where a limited number of live albums of the gig were released. They played their first live session on UK radio on the Dermot O'Leary Show for BBC Radio 2.

Their eponymous debut album was recorded in late 2004 and early 2005 at Metropolis Studios in London, and released on 13 June 2005. The album was produced and recorded by American producer Craig Silvey. Prior to release, only "Forever Lost" was promoted as a commercial single. This was followed up by later single releases "Love Me Like You", "Love's a Game" and "I See You, You See Me".

Following the release of their debut album, the remainder of 2005 and the first few months of 2006 were spent touring and promoting their album and singles, throughout the UK and United States, across Europe and also in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Their Japanese tour was featured as a side documentary on Jonathan Ross's Japanorama.

They received a large amount of press attention for being the first band to walk off the TV show Top of the Pops after host Richard Bacon allegedly insulted their physiques (calling them "a big fat melting pot of talent" in their introduction) shortly before they were due to appear on the show to promote their single "Love Me Like You".

The album was shortlisted in 2005 for the coveted Mercury Music Prize.

Those the Brokes

After their heavy touring and promotion of their self-titled debut, The Magic Numbers would return in autumn of 2006 with their follow-up album, Those the Brokes. The band did another extensive run of shows to promote and tour for the album, including supporting The Who in Southampton, and an appearance at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival.

The album was partly recorded in New York at Allaire Studios in Spring 2006, a venue which has also been used in the past by David Bowie, The Strokes and Ryan Adams, and was recorded and engineered by Richard Wilkinson.

A live album entitled Live at the Kentish Town Forum was released in February 2007, featuring a live performance of songs from both of the band's two albums.

The Runaway

The band took some time off during 2008, before reconvening in late 2009 to begin work on their third studio album. The band's website was updated to inform fans that the new album would be entitled The Runaway. The album was produced by Romeo Stodart with Valgeir Sigurðsson, who has previously worked with artists such as Björk, Bonnie Prince Billy and Múm. The album was mixed by Ben Hillier, and features string arrangements by the late Robert Kirby, who worked on Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left album. The album was released on 26 July 2010.

The Magic Numbers played at the 2010 Splendour in the Grass festival. During their time in Australia, they did shows in Melbourne and Sydney with Blue Mountains band Cloud Control. They also played at the annual Glastonbury Festival.

Michele Stodart solo career

In 2012, Michele Stodart released a solo album with a strong country music influence, Wide-Eyed Crossing, accompanying herself on the guitar. It contains a duet with Conor O'Brien from the Villagers and was promoted on a solo tour by Stodart.

In 2016, she released her 2nd solo album, Pieces, on One Little Indian Records. The album featured guest appearances from her brother Romeo Stodart and singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams.

Acoustic tour and fourth album

In May 2013, The Magic Numbers announced their first-ever acoustic tour. The five-week tour saw the band play in theatres, churches and live music venues across the UK and Ireland supported by British act Goldheart Assembly.

In 2013, the band acted in The Harry Hill Movie, as bed & breakfast proprietors in Blackpole. The band's fourth album Alias was released in August 2014.

In November 2015, The Magic Numbers toured the UK with McAlmont and Butler, acting as the supporting act and also providing backing vocals and rhythm section to the duo.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

• Undecided EP (3 September 2007)

The EP featured alternate versions of two tracks from their 2006 album Those the Brokes (an edit of "Undecided" and a re-recording of "Let Somebody In") plus four previously unreleased recordings.

1. "Undecided" (Radio Edit)
2. "Fear of Sleep"
3. "Shooter"
4. "Tonight"
5. "Let Somebody In" (Alternate Version With Strings By Robert Kirby)
6. "Sissy and the Silent Kid"

• The Pulse EP (2010)

This was a pre-release EP for their then-forthcoming album The Runaway that came out 26 July 2010. Two songs from this EP were not included in the full album.

1. "The Pulse"
2. "Dead Mirrors"
3. "This Isn't Happening"

Singles

Contributions

The Magic Numbers have made appearances on various other artists' releases, including:

• Duke Special – "Our Love Goes Deeper Than This" (backing vocals)
• The Chemical Brothers – "Close Your Eyes" (vocals)
• The Concretes – "Your Call" (vocals), "Sunbeams" (backing vocals)
• Ed Harcourt – "Revolution in the Heart" (backing vocals)
• David Kitt – "Up to You" and "Guilty Prayers, Pointless Ends" from the album, Not Fade Away (backing vocals)
• Jane Birkin – Fictions
• The Boxer Rebellion – "Flashing Red Light Means Go" (backing vocals by Angela) – from their newly released album, Union.

Compilation contributions

• Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley (2005) – cover of Tim Buckley's "Sing a Song for You"
• Help!: A Day in the Life (2005) – "Gone Are the Days"
• Sounds Eclectic: The Covers Project (2007) – cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love"
• The Saturday Sessions: The Dermot O'Leary Show (2007) – "Love Me Like You"
• The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack (2009) – "All I Believe In"
• Leader Of The Starry Skies: A Tribute To Tim Smith, Songbook 1 (2010) – cover of Cardiacs' "A Little Man and a House"
• A Tribute to Caetano Veloso (2012) – cover of Caetano Veloso' "You Don't Know Me"

Notes

1. Those the Brokes did not enter the Australian ARIA Albums Chart but peaked at number 14 on the ARIA Hitseekers Chart.
2. "The Pulse" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 44 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.
3. "Why Did You Call?" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 48 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.
4. "Shot in the Dark" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 82 on the Ultratip chart.
5. "E.N.D." did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 62 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.
6. "E.N.D." did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 45 on the Ultratip chart.
7. "Roy Orbison" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 52 on the Ultratip chart.

References

1. Patrick Barkham (10 August 2005). "Band snubs Top of the Pops after fat remark | UK news". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
2. "Entertainment | Antony and Johnsons win Mercury". BBC News. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
3. Archived 17 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
4. Archived 7 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
5. "2014 | Glastonbury Festival". Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
6. Gillian Orr (20 April 2012). "Michele Stodart - A Magic Number goes solo - Features - Music". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
7. "Michele Stodart - Pieces". Discogs. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
8. "The Magic Numbers Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". songkick.com. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
9. "Review: The Magic Numbers and Goldheart Assembly, Pocklington Arts Centre, last Saturday". York Press. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
10. "Magic Numbers Music Store". Store.universalmusic.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
11. "The Magic Numbers | full Official Chart history". theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
12. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 175.
13. "Chart Stats – The Magic Numbers". ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
14. "Discographie The Magic Numbers". Lescharts.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
15. "Discography The Magic Numbers". greekcharts.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
16. ^ "Discography The Magic Numbers". irishcharts.com. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
17. "Discografie The Magic Numbers". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
18. Peaks in Scotland:
    • "The Magic Numbers": "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - 2005 09 04". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    • "Those The Brokes": "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - 2006 11 12". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    • "The Runaway": "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - 2010 08 01". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    • "Alias": "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - 2014 08 24". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    • "Outsiders": "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - 2018 05 18". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
19. "Discography The Magic Numbers". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
20. "The Magic Numbers – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
21. ^ "Certified Awards Search Archived 6 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2 January 2012. Note: User needs to enter "Magic Numbers" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
22. "The Irish Charts - 2005 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
23. "ARIA Report: Issue 872" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
24. "The Irish Charts - 2006 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
25. The Magic Numbers. "Undecided: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
26. "The Magic Numbers - The Pulse (EP) (2010)". Music Is Amazing. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
27. "The Magic Numbers chart positions". Official Charts. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
28. ^ "Belgian Positions (Vlaanderen)". ultratop.be. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
29. Peak chart position on the Scottish Singles Chart:
    • Love Me Like You: "Love Me Like You Chart Position". Official Charts Company. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
    • Love's a Game: "Love's a Game Chart Position". Official Charts Company. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
    • I See You, You See Me: "I See You, You See Me Chart Position". Official Charts Company. 19 February 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
    • Take a Chance: "Take a Chance Chart Position". Official Charts Company. 29 October 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
    • This is a Song: "This is a Song Chart Position". Official Charts Company. 25 February 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
30. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 06 June 2010 - 12 June 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
31. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 29 August 2010 - 04 September 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
32. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 07 September 2014 - 13 September 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

External links

• Official website (web archive)
• Interview with TMF in 2010 prior to the release of The Runaway Archived 10 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine

• Capitol Records artists
• Indie rock groups from London
• Heavenly Recordings artists
• Rock music groups from the London Borough of Ealing
• Musical groups established in 2002
• Family musical groups
• EMI Records artists
• 2002 establishments in England