Magnolia Grove is quickly gaining the attention of local indie-rock fans as one of the hot new bands in the Ole Miss community. Yet, the story of the band and its music is so much bigger than just a student project.
After fellow band member William Richardson died last summer, lead singer Jackson Maddox made the decision to continue the band in his honor. Currently in preparation for its debut album, Magnolia Grove is fresh off of its self-titled debut EP, “Magnolia Grove.”
For two years, Richardson and Maddox performed together. When his bandmate died, Maddox decided to get together with friend and fellow musician Matt Isonhood.
“That was the catalyst for us getting music together and putting it out,” Maddox said.
After realizing they wanted to release a full-length project, the two recruited Buck Long, Joseph Wells and Garrett Shearman to complete the band.
For influences, the band looks to a number of artists and bands. Older, traditional bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are artists Magnolia Grove looks to for inspiration. Though the band is greatly influenced by these legends, it undoubtedly draws characteristics from today’s psychedelic bands.
“We have those classic bands that we look up to,” Maddox said. “But we take a lot from the new bands like Tame Impala, Mac DeMarco, Real Estate – a lot of the newer indie bands.”
The process for creating their debut EP was anything but easy. While the band members recorded the core for “Heads” and “Don’t Know”, they re-recorded everything. Tracks “The Grass is Always Greener” and “Don’t Go Outside” were both written during the summer in response to Richardson’s death, as well. After recording and mixing the album at the studio, the band sent out the project to be mastered before it was released Oct. 5.
Since the release of its debut project, Magnolia Grove has shifted into album mode. While the band’s sound is ever-changing, Maddox and Isonhood explained the direction the next project would take. They agreed that their sound has taken a turn for the “straight forward” out of their psychedelic roots.
The tracklist is close to being done, and the band is preparing for the release of its debut album, “Good Morning, Milky Way.” Though the album will feature songs from their EP, most of the project will be stacked with new content. From hard-hitting bangers to chill, acoustic jams, the band has shown its ability to give listeners a variety of different sounds.
Despite not having released its debut album yet, the band has continued to write music for future projects. Taking a page out of BROCKHAMPTON’s book, the band wants to release as much content as possible, with the possibility of that second album coming before the end of the year.
When asked when the album would be released, Maddox quickly answered, saying, “Summer, probably. We might drop a single or two before, but the debut album will definitely be out by the end of the summer.”
Magnolia Grove’s debut EP can be found on Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, as well as all digital outlets.
