Welcome to another edition of our monthly music feature, where we highlight a local artist and upcoming shows from local acts. Escapism is important for self-care during these chaotic times. Luckily, a lot of new music just dropped from several DMV music darlings. Plus, there are plenty of local shows this month to support and enjoy our determined DIY community.
🎙️ Spotlight: Mystery Friends
Self-Described Sound:
Synth-Pop/Moderately Danceable
Background:
Waiting for the other half of Mystery Friends, Dave Mohl (synth/guitar), to jump on the call as he rushes home from his day job, Abby Sevcik (vocals) shares her hopes of a possible upcoming tour to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City in one weekend. Due to both members having full-time jobs, touring can be tricky, but returning to New York City would be a full circle moment.
“We were supposed to play New York on Friday, March 13th of 2020,” recalled Sevcik. “We reached out to see if the show was happening and they said, ‘Unless the literal city shuts down, it's happening.’ Then, two hours later New York City shut down. That was the last time we attempted to play there.”
Since 2020, the D.C.-based synth-pop duo has been thriving on the local music scene. They dropped several successful singles, released their critically acclaimed album “Utopia,” and performed at the The Atlantis twice. Their new EP “On The Floor” carries the same DNA as “Utopia” but takes more chances. The new songs incorporate modern pop with their signature sound rooted in ‘70s and ‘80s synth-pop.
“‘On The Floor’ takes some of the same ‘Utopia’ confidence, but it's a little less worried about being the lush synth sound in one nice package,” Mohl said.
Get To Know the Artists:
What do you want listeners to take away from your new album, “On The Floor”?
Dave Mohl: Narratively, the album is about letting go, and I don't mean that in a despondent way. I mean it more in a liberating sense, letting go of inhibitions, false expectations of yourself, and things that aren't good for you. All the tracks on “On The Floor” tell a different part of that story of finding something that makes you happy, without putting too much pressure on yourself.
Musically, it’s more rhythmic and danceable.
The song “On the Floor” has a bit of call and response. Was that inspired by any artists?
DM: It’s inspired by LCD SoundSystem, which has a lot of that call and response. And then there’s this British band we played with called Ibibio Sound Machine. They had a few songs where what they sang almost became a mantra.
Any other artists that influenced this album?
Abby Sevcik: The advent of these unapologetically pop females has just skyrocketed this past year, and enabled us to just really lean into this, hyper-pop, fun sound. Charli XCX and Chappell Roan for example.
DM: For me, I have been drawn to a lot of French artists, like Daft Punk, Phoenix, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Justice. There is a certain kind of French sensibility with synthesizers that is cheeky and doesn’t have the seriousness of British and American music.
How do your lyrics come about?
AS: I try to challenge myself not to write about anything too close to home. So, I usually just go off of an interesting phrase or something. [The song] “On The Floor” came from walking my dog. I heard my footsteps as I was walking with high heels. It's stupid stuff that I try to expand upon.
Where do you go to gain inspiration?
AS: Poor Dave has to deal with me sending him voice memos from my car. Between apartment living and trying not to annoy the neighbors, my car is the place where anything goes.
DM: I think it's in the song “apartment,” buried in the last album where we have the original demo track that Abby sent. You can hear the turn signal clicking. It's a little Easter egg.
Local artist shoutout?
AS: Our collaborator, Jay [Nemeyer] is in a band called Color Palette. He's so talented. He went on a little recording hiatus, but now he's emerging and starting to play live.
Next Local Show:
(with DUUNES, Argo, and the Violet Queens)| Feb. 21 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | Songbryrd
Follow:
Song to Check Out:
Mystery Friends live. (Courtesy of Mystery Friends)
🎟️ Upcoming Local Shows To See
- MAYSUNS, Milo in the Doldrums (Alt. Rock)| Feb. 15 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | Songbryrd
- King Face, Bed Maker (Punk)| Feb. 21 | 8 p.m. | $20+ | Black Cat
- Cinema Hearts (opening for Zack Keim) (Indie Rock) | Feb. 28 | 10 p.m. | $18+ | Comet Ping Pong
🎵 Local Music Mentions
If you tend to play “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star on repeat (guilty), this song is for you. With similar haunting vocals and atmospheric sound, this song transports you to a coffee shop in the ‘90s.
Edgier than their previous work, GLOSSER’s new music explores the darker side of synth-pop in both sound and messaging. There’s an addictive quality to the song even if it leaves you with a little despair.
🎧 Your February Local Music Playlist
Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Mystery Friends’ music and inspirations, plus songs from other local bands.
