Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Jeff Bridges Set to Release Archival Recordings, ‘Slow Magic, 1997-1978’

Tinseltown / shutterstock.com
Tinseltown / shutterstock.com

Jeff Bridges, the iconic actor known for his charismatic presence both on the screen and in music, is set to step into his musical past with the release of Slow Magic, 1977-1978. This album stands out not only for its artistic content but also for the fascinating story of its genesis. The 11-track collection pulls from a recently unearthed, decaying cassette tape, which was simply labeled “July 1978.” This tape serves as a time capsule, capturing a moment when Bridges, amidst his flourishing acting career, was deeply immersed in music creation with a group of close friends.

The album, set to drop on April 12, 2025, coincides with Record Store Day, offering fans the chance to own a piece of this musical history on transparent blue vinyl. Bridges' collaborators on this project include guitarists Stan Ayeroff and David Greenwalt, bassist Matthew Bright, and drummer Steve Baim, all of whom were part of a tight-knit group originating from his high school days. This ensemble recorded their sessions in a rented warehouse in Venice, California, under the guidance of Ken Lauber, known for his work with Bob Dylan. The collection will also feature liner notes by Sam Sweet, further contextualizing the music with new interviews and archival photos.

From the themes explored in the song “Obnoxious” to the overview by Bridges himself, the album reflects a carefree era of musical experimentation. “Pretty wild that this thing that happened around 50 years ago wants to bloom,” Jeff Bridges commented, encapsulating the nostalgic yet surprising revival of these tracks. “Obnoxious” offers a glimpse into the casual, adventurous spirit of the music created in those sessions, infusing a playful edge into the album's narrative. The entire set captures the DIY spirit and the boundary-pushing creativity of a group of young musicians forging their own path, independent of the Hollywood music scene.

Interestingly, the tape's recovery and subsequent release are partially credited to Keefus Ciancia, a music producer and composer who rediscovered the tapes after Bridges' performance in Crazy Heart. Bridges, reflecting on this journey, mentioned that he was initially approached by Ciancia and Matt Sullivan from Light in the Attic, a label known for its archival music projects, who saw the commercial potential in these tapes. This serendipitous sequence of events culminated in the upcoming release, allowing a contemporary audience to experience the raw, unpolished allure of Bridges' youthful musical efforts.

Despite his success in Hollywood, Bridges has always nurtured a parallel passion for music, demonstrated by his previous musical endeavors, including his self-titled album in 2011 and the ambient project Sleeping Tapes in 2015. As an actor, Bridges has shown depth and versatility, and his music seems to harbor the same traits, marked by deeply personal origins and a collaborative nature that breaks away from solo stardom towards a more communal experience.

Check Out ‘Obnoxious' from Slow Magic 1977-1978 by Jeff Bridges Here:

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

LEFT PHOTO: Thom Yorke of British rock band The Smile performs on the Montreux Jazz Lab stage during the 56th Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF), in Montreux, Switzerland, 12 July 2022. The festival runs from 01 to 16 July and features about 500 concerts. RIGHT PHOTO: Matt Biddulph from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Thom Yorke & Mark Pritchard Share New Song Prior to Album Release

Thom Yorke, the renowned Radiohead frontman, and Mark Pritchard, an eminent figure in the electronic music scene, have once again…

Lamb of God in concert in Edinburgh - Chris Adler Various

Chris Adler Opens Up About Getting Fired from Lamb of God

Chris Adler, once a formidable presence behind the drums of the celebrated metal band Lamb of God, has unveiled the…

SMOKEY ROBINSON SMOKEY ROBINSON IN CONCERT - 1983

Former Housekeepers Accuse Smokey Robinson of Sexual Assault

Renowned Motown icon Smokey Robinson finds himself at the center of a highly publicized controversy following allegations of sexual assault…

LEFT PHOTO: JOE SATRIANI performs with Sammy Hagar during Stagecoach Music Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California RIGHT PHOTO: Musician - STEVE VAI on stage with the BEAT, playing King Crimson hits from the 1970's at The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, November 18, 2024. The BEAT is a super group comprised of Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Danny Carey, and Steve Vai...Credit Image cr Scott Mitchell/ZUMA Pess

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai Join Forces

The collaboration between Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two of the most renowned figures in rock guitar history, has culminated…

James Hetfield of Metallica performs with band members on stage during their concert in Madrid, Spain, 12 July 2024. Metallica concert in Madrid, Spain - 12 Jul 2024

Metallica Fans Pack Lane Stadium For 2025 Tour

Thousands of dedicated fans flooded Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium on the night of May 7, 2025, as ongoing excitement highlighted…

Of Mice and Men - Alan Ashby Open Air Chicago Music Festival, Illinois, USA - 15 Jul 2016

Of Mice & Men Shares New Single

Southern California’s metalcore band, Of Mice & Men, has made a striking return with their latest single “Another Miracle,” marking…

Lorde The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit Celebrating the Opening Of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, Manhattan, New York, United States - 05 May 2025

Lorde Unveils 2025 Tour

Lorde is set to captivate her global fan base once again with an extensive international tour, aptly named the Ultrasound…

Stone Temple Pilots - Dean DeLeo Louder Than Life Festival, Day 2, Louisville, USA - 28 Sep 2019

Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean DeLeo & Singer/Guitarist Pete Shoulder Collab on New Album

Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo has joined forces with British vocalist Pete Shoulder in a new musical collaboration under…

Rock band: The Who - lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon Pop Band: The Who - John Entwistle, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon and Roger Daltrey - 1965

The Who Announces 2025 North American Farewell Tour

The iconic rock band, The Who, has announced their North American farewell tour, poignantly titled “The Song Is Over,” marking…