“...And then I looked down at the valley below... I flicked dusted wings and licked what was sore... nothing to regret, nothing to hold on... Just wait till I heal and fly back home...” - The Phoenix
Singer songwriter Magdalena Atkinson is Polish and has made her home in West Dorset, UK. She has been wooing local audiences for some time now and has gathered a substantial Facebook following. Having recorded two solo albums with producer Steve Jones, she joined forces with him and two other musicians to record a third album, from which has emerged a new band - The Mystical Birds.
In the band, Magdalena - The Phoenix - is the lead singer, and plays the acoustic guitar and hammer dulcimer, Steve Jones - The Heron - (formerly from Heron and Mungo Jerry) is on keyboards, Drew Crow Star - The Crow - (glam rock punk poet) is on bass, and on percussion there is Darren Coleman - The Owl - (Blackdown Samba leader).
Ideal as a festival band, their music is optimistic and uplifting. Because they enjoy live performance and audience participation, wherever possible, their appeal is easy and uncomplicated.
Individually, they have performed at international festivals, theatres, folk clubs, street theatre, and given their time to care homes and disability groups. Collectively, they have played both to audiences of thousands and to intimate gatherings.
Their planned launch on 21st March 2020 unfortunately coincided with the announcement of the first pandemic lockdown. Undeterred by the lack of an audience, they streamed their performance online and were one of the first bands in the UK to do so. Having recorded the whole event, they are releasing a live album ‘Lyric Lockdown Live' and a DVD of the performance on the 25th of September 2021 in the Lyric Theatre in Bridport, restrictions permitting...
In the meantime The Mysticals have been also working on a studio/online album revealing the eclectic nature of their music. With a few surprises in store on this second album (as yet to be titled) there is a feeling of excitement and optimism brewing in the band. Watch this space.