Check Out the Stunning Cover of ‘Pepela’ by David Bowie: A Version Inspired by the Magdalenes of the Bay

Magdalena Bay Covers David Bowie

Magdalena Gulf covered David Bowie ashes for ashes Triple jS. As a version Series – Check the full performance below.

Unique Take on a Classic

Australia last night Triple j shared the latest release from his famous As a version series, where musicians perform covers of other artists’ works in their unique styles. This time, Magdalena Bay tackled the cult classic “Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie during his tour of Australia earlier this month.

Overall, Magdalena Bay’s rendition of “Ashes to Ashes” stays true to the original, with the primary difference being the vocal style, tailored by singer Mika Tenenbaum.

Check out their cover below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTN_HXGAOFO

Discussing their cover with Triple j, Tenenbaum stated: “This is one of our favorite songs.” Matthew Levin chimed in, “Yes, this is for sure.”

They also noted that the song has remained on their playlist, with Tenenbaum sharing that she first heard it while watching its music video. She mentioned, “It greatly influenced my ideas about being an artist and the meaning of creating art, inspiring our latest album, Imaginal Disk.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD0HUNQ8ZL8

Explaining their decision to stay close to the original melody, Mika shared: “When you love a song so much, you want to make it your own while staying connected to what makes it special.”

“I wanted it to reflect my style,” she said about adjusting the vocals. “I admire CNOI’s vocals, but I can’t replicate them. My goal was to sing it in my voice while still capturing its essence.”

Upcoming Tour and Album Recognition

The duo is set to embark on a North American tour, beginning in late April and concluding in mid-May after 16 shows, followed by European festival dates.

Otis Robinson praised their album “Imaginal Disk” in a glowing five-star review for NME, describing it as “stylishly experimental and expressionist,” and noted that it captures existential anxiety through a synth-influenced lens. He highlighted Magdalena Bay’s top-notch pop mixing.

The acclaimed album was also recognized by NME as the fifth best album of 2024, with Alex Rigotti writing: “Cue ‘Imaginal Disk’, which blends soft rock, psychedelia, and disco, offering a humorous exploration of the human condition. The boundary between artistry and pure entertainment is examined within its captivating sound.”