Finding Magic: Doug McArthur’s New Single Turns Screen Fatigue Into Community Connection

For Winnipeg musician Doug McArthur, inspiration often starts close to home. His upcoming single Magic, due out October 14, was born out of a familiar feeling: the drained, restless haze that follows too much time staring at a phone.

The track balances thoughtful lyrics with hook-driven alt-rock pop sensibilities. Over shimmering chords, McArthur sings: “There’s nothing better in my view / Than hangin’ round at home with you.” Its soaring chorus — “I wanna be part of that magic / I wanna know where it goes” — is both personal confession and universal invitation.

But McArthur isn’t stopping at the release of a single. He’s creating a series of events designed to pull the community into the world of the song.

On September 29, he’ll host a One Day Choir on the second floor of The Forks Market. Led by local artist McKye, the event invites singers of all backgrounds to learn and perform an a cappella arrangement of Magic in just one evening. McArthur sees it as a way to turn the song’s message into lived experience: strangers gathering, sharing voices, and creating something fleeting but powerful together.

Then, on October 14, McArthur will celebrate the single’s release with a party at The Handsome Daughter. The night features a stacked lineup of Winnipeg talent, including Shay Wolf, The Good Sky Woman, Diaphanie, Karina Joy, and Fernanda. Local comedian Kristen Einarson will host, and visual artist Alex Plante — the creative force behind the single’s artwork — will oversee the merch table.

Still, the heart of the project goes beyond performance. McArthur has invited experts to join him in a series of media interviews and panel discussions leading up to the events. Dr. Bev Fredborg, PhD, of the University of Winnipeg, brings an academic lens, with research on psychology and the effects of digital engagement. Jason Willows, a music therapist, contributes a practitioner’s perspective on how music can heal and restore balance.

Together, they’ll explore questions that underpin Magic: How do devices shape our mental health? What strategies can help us step back from the scroll? And how can music play a role in that process?

For McArthur, blending song with scholarship and community feels like the most honest way to share his work. “I don’t want this release to be just about me,” he says. “I want it to be about all of us finding ways to reconnect, whether that’s through music, through conversation, or through just putting the phone down and being present.”

With Magic, McArthur isn’t just offering listeners a new track. He’s offering them a moment to breathe, reflect, and maybe — if only for a few minutes — rediscover the magic in the world around them.