Magenta (Welsh band)

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Magenta
File:Tinaph6.jpg
Background information
OriginEngland, UK
MembersChristina, Rob Reed, Chris Fry, Martin Rosser, Matthew Cohen, Allan Mason-Jones

Magenta are a British progressive rock band formed in 2001, by ex-Cyan member Rob Reed. Cyan was formed in 1984 while he was still at school, although the band broke up after only a few gigs and one demo tape release. Reed takes his influences from bands like Genesis, Mike Oldfield, Yes, Eurythmics, and Bjork. Though heavily influenced by progressive rock, Reed is a professional songwriter and has done many other projects for both film and television

The most successful of these bands was called Trippa. Described as "a contemporary Eurythmics for the new millennium" mixing their own brand of edgy industrial pop with soaring orchestral arrangements. The band featured Christina on vocals and Reed on guitars and keyboards, joined by two other musicians on drums and backing vocals. The band released The Trippa EP in early 2000, and were voted ‘Record of the Week’ on Virgin Radio, appearing on British television a number of times. It was during this time that Reed asked Christina to be lead vocalist for a progressive rock project he had in mind, and the initial ideas for Magenta were born.

Current Lineup

== History ==

File:Robtinaph2.jpg
Rob Reed and Christina (2001)

(2000–Current)

In 1991 Reed re-recorded the five original Cyan tracks in his own studio, playing all the instruments and singing himself. The tracks attracted the interest of the now defunct Dutch progressive rock label SI Music, so in 1993 Reed recorded three more new tracks and all were released on the album For King & Country.

Reed met Nigel Voyle while recording the second Cyan abum Pictures From The Other Side and he took over lead vocals for that recording. Christina was a guest vocalist, singing background parts. Reed then produced and played keyboards on the debut album by the prog band Fyreworks, which attracted the interest of the UK label, F2 Music. Impressed with the dedication F2 showed for Cyan's music, Reed signed with the label, releasing a third album, The Creeping Vine that sold well in the UK and featured Christina on backing vocals once again.

In 2000, Reed started writing for what would become Magenta's debut release, Revolutions. Reed wanted to do something new, something bigger and more conceptual. "Current prog bands are always scared and shy about admitting the influences of the great bands of the 70’s, and I wanted to come clean and admit and celebrate these influences, and hopefully create something as worthwhile as these classic bands" said Reed. "To do this, all I had to do was to give priority to melody rather than technical showmanship, something I have always tried to do with all my work, although many current prog bands seem to forget about it."

Magenta's second album, Seven was released in March 2004 and sold out of it's first pressing within four weeks. The band's first single, "Broken" was released in June 2004 - from the new EP Broken. While shorter than any of the epic tracks on Seven, Broken retains the classic prog rock sound of Magenta, with a slightly more modern edge. In September 2004, Magenta released the double live album Another Time, Another Place, recorded on tour in Europe from 2002-2004. The DVD "The Gathering" was also released in late 2005 and a series of live shows followed over the coming months. March 2006 will see the release of a new studio album titled Home, and in true prog rock fashion, it will be a double concept album that follows a journey across America in the 1970's.

==Awards==

Magenta receive award (2004)

In 2004, Magenta received the Classic Rock Society Award for "Best Female Vocalist" and "Best Live Band". The Classic Rock Society (CRS) honors groups or artists who are popular with the public, but whose music remains unpublicised by national media and most radio stations. Well known groups who have played the CRS in recent years include Wishbone Ash, Camel, John Wetton and Rick Wakeman. Other recent contributors have included Pallas, IQ, Spock's Beard, Flower Kings, Mostly Autumn, Karnataka, Pendragon and many others from the progressive rock genre.

Discography

Albums

Selected EPs

DVD

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