Surf Chica Bonita – New LP from Chill Magnet (2017)

 

 NOW ON PRE-SALE
AVAILABLE JUNE 30, 2017

"An epic, twelve-song road trip – 
from the desert to the beach."

Electronic dance rock pioneers Chill Magnet kick off the summer with their  first full-length release, Surf Chica Bonita.

With Surf Chica Bonita, Chill Magnet returns to the core two-man lineup of TomTom (lead vocals, guitars and keys) and Randy Banis (lead guitar and producer). “The new record has a surf and summer vibe to it, which was our intent from the start.” says TomTom. Randy adds, “Being that we live and create in a sea of desert sand, we are both intrigued by the ocean, and we set off to build on that.”

Pre-order Surf Chica Bonita now at iTunes or your favorite music store. Listen to the single "Surf Chica Bonita" at Soundcloud, Spotify, Pandora or your other favorite streaming service.

 

Chill Magnet Guitarist Speaks to Congress

Randy Banis, half of the electronic dance rock duo Chill Magnet, testified at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands on February 6, 2018. Banis spoke in support of H.R.857, the California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act, which was introduced by Rep. Paul Cook, a Republican from Yucca Valley, California.

"Within the California desert are tens of millions of acres of federal lands featuring some of the most extraordinary and unspoiled landscapes in the world," said Banis. "Dotted across these lands are unique destinations of interest to many Americans, such as abandoned ghost towns, spectacular sand dunes, desolate dry lakes, colorful mineralogical deposits, and vast valleys blanketed with wildflowers."

"Born out of a deeply collaborative process involving diverse interests across the California desert, H.R. 857 is a tide that will rise all boats," continued Banis.

Click here to watch Randy's testimony; his presentation is last, beginning at the 54:30 mark.
 

Chill Magnet Guitarist to Testify Before Congress

 
Randy Banis, half of the electronic dance rock duo Chill Magnet, is scheduled to testify at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands.  Banis will speak in support of H.R.857, the California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act, which was introduced by Rep. Paul Cook, a Republican from Yucca Valley, California.
 
Banis has long been active in support of outdoor recreation in the California desert.  But little did he know that the desert would also become the backdrop for the content and style of Chill Magnet, in which he produces, and plays guitar and computer assisted instruments.
 
“The California desert is deeply connected to the heart and soul of our Coachella Valley sound. We reflect both its stunning beauty and brutality when sing of the joys and sorrows that are part of life,” explains Banis. “For me, it makes sense to protect the unique values that will inspire future generations by designating public lands for recreation and conservation.  That is why working to get H.R.857 passed into law is so important to me."
 
In addition to helping give Chill Magnet its voice, the desert has also helped Banis develop his voice as leader seeking to bring people together. Since 1998, Banis has served as an official advisor of the Bureau of Land Management as a member of its Desert District Advisory Council.
 
Chill Magnet was first introduced through their 2015 six-song EP, Gringo Mariachi, which was followed in 2016 with singles Me and My Psychiatrist and Jessalyn.  Their break through full-length album, Surf Chica Bonita, released in 2017, took Chill Magnet’s Coachella Valley sound from the desert to the beach, carefully interweaving elements of desert rock, classic surf, and electronic dance.
 
You can follow Chill Magnet on Facebook, and hear all of their songs on your favorite streaming service, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

Girl on a Wire - Single from Chill Magnet (2017)

 

 "Haunting and mesmerizing...
A brilliant balancing act."

The first single from Chill Magnet's upcoming full length, Surf Chica Bonita, "Girl on a Wire" is an intriguing bolero driven by moving and breathy vocals, and ending with a maniacal synth solo.

Contemporary, sonic, and psychedelic, "Girl on a Wire" will have you swaying to the beat like a trapeze, then leave you hanging in search of resolve.

Get "Girl on a Wire" now at iTunes or your favorite music store. Listen to the single at Soundcloud, Spotify, Pandora or your other favorite streaming service.

 

Jessalyn - Single from Chill Magnet (2016)

 

 "You love guitars?
You'll love Jessalyn!"

"Jessalyn," the fitting B-Side to "Me and My Psychiatrist," steals the scene.  "Jessalyn" commands your attention, and she get's it every time with TomTom's searing vocals, Randy Banis' hard driving guitars, and the pounding drums of guest drummer Caleb Householder.

This fresh punk rock love song by the masters of pop energy Chill Magnet will have you, too, wondering how you've lived without her – that's "Jessalyn."

Get "Jessalyn" now at iTunes or your favorite music store. Listen to the single at Soundcloud, Spotify, Pandora or your other favorite streaming service.

 

Me and My Psychiatrist – Single from Chill Magnet (2016)

 

 "You'll go crazy –
this song totally rocks!"

Chill Magnet's early 2016 single, “Me and My Psychiatrist” was originally slated for their upcoming full length album, Surf Chica Bonita. As the album evolved, however, it seemed to fit perfectly as an A-Side to "Jessalyn," another misfit from the Surf Chica Bonita sessions.

This must-have hit single is propelled by hard driving bass and drums underneath swirling, sonic guitars and crisp vocals.  The opening line quickly sets the scene: “Me and my psychiatrist took a train to Budapest. We smoked some hash and drank some wine, and now the world is spinning round just fine!”

Get "Me and My Psychiatrist" now at iTunes and other stores. Listen to the single at Soundcloud, Spotify, Pandora and other music streaming services.

 

More Articles ...

  1. Gringo Mariachi – Chill Magnet's Debut EP (2015)