JUNE 10, 2022
Today Mystics Anonymous is proud to release our new single Unhappy Accidents and How to Avoid Them. You can download the single from Bandcamp here:
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/unhappy-accidents-and-how-to-avoid-them
Soon it will also be available on most streaming and download services, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, etc.
This track offers great performances from fellow Mystics Dave Hamilton on drums, Drew Hutchison on percussion, Steve Koziol on electric guitars, and the great horn section of Dave Trenholm on alto, tenor, & baritone saxophones, Ryan Kapoor on trumpet, and Mark Turcotte on trombone. Mark Alan Miller helped mix and then master, Tim Brewer contributed the cover art, and Ingrid Steblea contributed design for the single.
All of them helped to elevate the material and as always, I’m so grateful for their collaboration.
Yours truly is responsible for composing the song, and performing lead and backing vocals; electric guitars; keyboards & synthesizers; bass guitar; percussion, synth percussion & drum programming.
Work continues on the forthcoming album Dining & Lodging, due for release later this year, and the album will include a different, longer version of this track, so keep an eye out for that.
MAY 7. 2021
Proud to announce our new release today! Check out Soft Shoulder b/w Rubberneck Five over at Bandcamp. It’s Bandcamp Friday, so if you purchase the single today, all proceeds go to the artist (Bandcamp waives its fees today). I hope you like the new songs and, if so, don’t keep it a secret! https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/soft-shoulder
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
Today Mystics Anonymous is proud to release our double-sided digital single Up at the Sharp End b/w Large Appetites. You can download the single from Bandcamp here and it’s a great day to do so, as it’s Bandcamp Friday, where the site waives its artist fees for a day:
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/up-at-the-sharp-end
Both songs share thematic material, both lyrically and musically, and offer great performances from fellow Mystics Max Germer, Dave Hamilton, Mark Alan Miller, Peyton Pinkerton, and Matt Silberstein. Ingrid Steblea contributed photography & design for the single. All of them helped to elevate the material and as always, I’m so grateful for their collaboration.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Hey gang, Mystics Anonymous has released a video for the single Up at the Sharp End, which will be officially released tomorrow! We hope you enjoy it. Directed by Drew Hutchison. https://youtu.be/XZbyqqv11IM
OCTOBER 24, 2020
If you haven’t already, be sure to follow Mystics Anonymous on Spotify, where we publish playlists regularly!
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Tonight at 8 pm, fellow Mystic Ken Maiuri is doing a special internet radio show, playing a chronological selection of songs from many of the albums he’s played on from 1997 to the present. Those who know Ken know that this spans an impressive amount of amazing bands and musicians, including Mystics Anonymous, and is not to be missed. 8 – 11 p.m. ET, at Mixlr.com/Wiggly-World.
OCTOBER 20, 2020
The Mystics Anonymous family consists of a large group of talented individuals, each of whom has their own music and projects they have played with. Here’s a sampling of that music, ranging from indie rock to jazz to folk to world music to country to industrial and beyond…
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mChWNbiPBCh0VOQOCAaEr?si=BmiXUBr0QVKJdaeDOW0w2g
OCTOBER 7, 2020
Today is the anniversary of the release of Middle Distance, the soundscape score to the art installation Of the Earth. Composed and recorded on the old digital 8-track in the old Northampton apartment, this is the main artifact of those years I primarily scored for independent shorts and television… https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/middle-distance
OCTOBER 6, 2020
Today marks the anniversary of the first Mystics Anonymous album. Fresh off the dissolution of Go Figure, this album presented a lot of songs that piled up during the tenure of that band, and that didn’t really fit the upbeat funky vibe of the group. I recorded this one over three years, with much of it tracked on the road. A few of these songs garnered college and commercial radio airplay nationwide back in the halcyon days of indie rock in the ’90s…
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/mystics-anonymous
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
Time expands and contracts, and runs out in all directions. The leaves are turning, the wind is picking up, and we look back as we move forward. Today marks the anniversary of the release of Winsted in the Space Room, the lo-fi Mystics release from back in 2004. Check it out here, or on Spotify or Apple Music or wherever you listen to your music…
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/winsted-in-the-space-room
JULY 24, 2020
Thank you to Rick Murnane for featuring the Mystics album Dreaming for Hours on his blog! “Jeff’s songs always include the type of aural surprises that make me smile. You’re listening along and mentally anticipating the next note or chord change, and then this other theme leaps out of the clouds and the song laughs at your expectations. Magic.”
http://rickmurnane.blogspot.com/2020/07/24-july-mystics-anonymous.html
JUNE 8, 2020
Check out the latest episode of Meat for Teacast, which features some live Mystics Anonymous songs from the Meat for Tea Cirque on June 6, 2015. You can listen to it here on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/63nzJVIfrWXkQxKZ7Y0fmy…
Today marks the anniversary of the release of She Wanted the Future, the 2016 5-song Mystics Anonymous EP. You can check it out here and in most of the other usual places (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.)… mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/she-wanted-the-future
MAY 25, 2020
In honor of the fallen.
MAY 15, 2020
Well, this is just lovely. 60 of my friends and peers in the local music community recorded this Stevie Wonder classic to bring attention to the plight of our fellow artists and promote a fund started by the Northampton Arts Council, where you can donate and help. Keep an eye out for some fellow Mystics peppered throughout… https://vimeo.com/418563240
MAY 1, 2020
Somehow I never knew this was posted online, but here is a rare Mystics duo show captured at The 413 back in January of 2019. Here it is, warts and all. Setlist:
Sinner’s Lament –>
The Spy [The Doors] –>
Vivian Line
Imperfections
Secret Stair
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
You Think I’ve Changed (Talk to My Lawyer)
Knife Thrower
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
The Killing Moon [Echo & the Bunnymen]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EtbCt9dzOg
MAY 1, 2020
The strains of mysterious music will waft through the ether this evening, as Mystics Anonymous will be played on the most excellent Table of Contents show tonight on WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM! Remember you can stream online at valleyfreeradio.org/listen
APRIL 1, 2020
For my birthday month, I want to let everyone know that all money from Mystics Anonymous music purchased through Bandcamp in April will go toward a non-profit near and dear to my heart, the Northampton Survival Center, which provides low-income residents of the community with an assortment of nutritionally balanced groceries. This is especially important right now. The entire Mystics discography is available on the site, and you can get the whole thing–71 tracks–for just $44. Or just get whatever you don’t already have. And help people while you’re at it! https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/
MARCH 16, 2020
Hey gang, obviously our upcoming show on 3/23 is now canceled. Everyone please stay safe and remember that music is your friend–just because you can’t see live music in person doesn’t mean you can’t blast some music at home, watch a concert video, etc.! We will see you on the other side.
MARCH 9, 2020
SHOW ALERT! Two weeks from today, Mystics Anonymous returns to The 413 as the featured performer for the venue’s popular open mic night. For this show, Mystics will play a quiet set of all new songs slated for the next Mystics Anonymous release. Joining leader Jeff Steblea will be Steve Koziol on guitar, Tim Brewer on bass, and Drew Hutchison on percussion. Come on out and hear some of the new material that Jeff’s been working on in his Gondwanaland studio!
JANUARY 29, 2020
Very excited and thankful to be included in this great show with so many other artists I admire. From co-host David Sokol:
The New Music Alliance Radio Hour showcasing original music by musical artists with Western New England roots, airs weekly on four stations: On WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM, Northampton, MA and on WMNB-LP 107.1 FM, North Adams, MA on Thursdays (6 pm); on WMCB-LP 107.9 FM, Greenfield MA on Saturdays (4 pm); and on WCCH 103.5 FM, Holyoke, MA on Wednesdays (6 pm). It’s also available by streaming at ValleyFreeRadio.org and WMCB.net.
This week I co-host the NMA Radio Hour with engineer extraordinaire Ace Hausthor. This is our 30th show and features more than a dozen handpicked favorites. Here’s a taste of who you’ll be hearing this week:
Khalif Neville feat. Charles Neville (NMA Radio Hour Theme)
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Matt Byrde
The Fawns
Opal Canyon
Ray Mason Band
Superkart
“Big Al” Anderson
Mystics Anonymous
The Sighs
Jack Simons
Cardiac Kids Band
Miranda Brown
Fanny Walked the Earth
NMA’s mission is to help up-and-coming Western New England musicians advance their careers and shine national attention to this region as a music destination. We do this through our radio show, musician-focused workshops, and live shows (including the Valley Music Showcase). Please help us continue our mission by visiting our website and becoming an NMA member or business sponsor. Thank you for listening and supporting our region’s music scene. www.newmusicalliance.org.
DECEMBER 23, 2019
Here is our annual gift to you, this year’s holiday single, The Christmas Waltz, featuring Mystics Rick Murnane on lead guitar and Drew Hutchison on percussion, in addition to yours truly. As always, free to download and/or stream… Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/…/t…/track/the-christmas-waltz
OCTOBER 27, 2019
Thank you to everyone who came out to The 413 last night. As promised, we played a handful of new songs that will be on the next album, plus some Halloween magic. Here’ s what we played:
Sinner’s Lament
Up at the Sharp End
Secret Stair
Soft Shoulder
You Think I’ve Changed (Talk to My Lawyer)
Bela Lugosi’s Dead [Bauhaus cover]
OCTOBER 6, 2019
Today marks the anniversary of the release of the very first Mystics Anonymous album, all the way back in 1998. This one was recorded in Austin, Boston, and Hartford over the course of three years, and established the eclectic nature of Mystics from the outset…
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/mystics-anonymous
OCTOBER 2, 2019
Hey kids, Mystics Anonymous returns in duo form for a night of music and camaraderie at The 413 in Easthampton, MA later this month. We join the most excellent Tal Vez and Capitulators (also in duo form). Mark your calendars and come see me and Steve Koziol play some new Mystics songs and surprise covers… Saturday October 26!
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Today marks the anniversary of the release of the 2004 Mystics album, Winsted in the Space Room. Marking the lo-fi home studio experimentation phase of the Mystics story, this is 14 tracks, including original versions of Imperfections and Maudlin, You Liar:
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/winsted-in-the-space-room
SEPTEMBER 2, 2019
Sneak preview of the current track list draft for the next Mystics album. Some of these may look familiar if you’ve seen the band live over the past year…
AUGUST 26, 2019
Well, looky here, a video of the entire Mystics Anonymous show at Luthier’s Co-op from exactly one month ago today! Courtesy of Hadley Media Director Drew Hutchison.
JULY 27, 2019
Well, that was fun! Thank you to those who joined us last night for what proved to be a really great show, and a reminder about what live music can be with a great crowd and great energy in a great room. We had a blast! Here’s what we played:
She Wanted the Future –>
Imperfections
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity –>
Maudlin, You Liar
Up at the Sharp End
Ill at Ease
Tried to Hide [The 13th Floor Elevators]
Theme from “Night Sweats” –>
Turn Signal in the Trees
Dirt & Disease
She Floated Away [Husker Du] –>
St. Elmo’s Fire [Brian Eno]
JULY 7, 2019
Mystics Anonymous will be performing a full-band set at Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton, MA on Friday July 26th! The band this evening will be myself, Patrick Garland on keys, Andrew Goulet on bass, Brian Marchese on drums and backing vox, and Matt Silberstein on guitar. And it will be a very special night, as we bid a fond farewell to both Andy and Brian–this is their last Mystics show!
FREE, all ages
Details here:
JUNE 21, 2019
Happy Birthday to Ray Davies! Please enjoy this cover of his wonderful song Days by Mystics Anonymous, from the 2014 album Dreaming for Hours.
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/days
JUNE 14, 2019
Today marks the anniversary of the release of the Looks Like Jennifer video. A celebration of late Spring and early Summer wrapped up in 4 minutes of psychedelic indie pop…
JUNE 3, 2019
Today marks the anniversary of the release of She Wanted the Future, the 2016 EP by Mystics Anonymous. 5 songs and about 18 minutes of indie rock perfect for summer!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/she-wanted-the-future
JUNE 2, 2019
Thank you to everyone who came out last night to see us play. We couldn’t do it without you, and we were definitely feeling the love! Here’s what we played:
She Wanted the Future
Looks Like Jennifer
Turn Signal in the Trees
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
Imperfections
Maudlin, You Liar
The Rain Comes Down
Ill at Ease
Up at the Sharp End
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
Vanishing Phase
Dirt & Disease
Dear Old Mr. Hand
Night-Time [The Strangeloves] –>
Foggy Notion [The Velvet Underground]
MAY 15, 2019
Happy Birthday, Brian Eno!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/st-elmos-fire
APRIL 28, 2019
Mystics Anonymous & Gentle Hen descend upon The Ashfield Lake House for two sets of independent rock music on Saturday June 1st. Come celebrate the warm weather, good eats, frothy beverages, and fine music with us!
$5, all ages
This will be a full-band set featuring myself on lead vox and guitar, Patrick Garland on keys, Max Germer on bass, Brian Marchese on drums and backing vox, and Matt Silberstein on guitar.
APRIL 26, 2019
Thank you to all who came out to the show last night at The Root Cellar. The setlist doesn’t capture all of the improvisational interplay that happened, but here’s the songs that happened along the way…
Vivian Line –>
Sinner’s Lament
Turn Signal in the Trees
Secret Stair
Maudlin, You Liar
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
And thank you to Gladshot, The True Jacqueline, and ZoKi for having us and playing great sets!
APRIL 24, 2019
If you missed it, here’s a link to last week’s Talking Hendrix episode, featuring interviews with both myself and the members of Gladshot. We talk about the show this coming Thursday, our processes, and what all is going on with us these days…
https://archive.org/details/TalkingHendrixSpecial27JeffStebleaGladshotAndChrisLegrand4192019
APRIL 19, 2019
Hey all, tonight I will be talking with host Ed Wrobleski on Talking Hendrix from 7-8 p.m. on www.activatemedia.org. We’ll be talking about the upcoming duo show and what’s fun about playing in that format, as well as what I’ve been up to with new material and recording…
APRIL 7, 2019
Mystics Anonymous debuted new song Secret Stair, inspired by the local ghost story of the Sessions House, at the January duo show at The 413 in Easthampton, MA. Now you can hear it here as well. And remember the next duo show is in just a few weeks–April 25th at The Root Cellar in Greenfield, MA. We’re likely to play this one again then…
MARCH 31, 2019
Hey all, check out this cover of Peter Gabriel’s Biko by Out Out, the project of mastermind and erstwhile Mystic companion Mark Alan Miller. And my voice is just one of the many singing on this track.
Part of the A Riveting Protest compilation just released, 15 cover songs by 15 industrial music artists of classic protest songs that made us wake up and pay attention. Proceeds support The Family Tree, a Denver charity committed to addressing the interconnected issues of child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness.
https://rivetingmusic4u.bandcamp.com/track/biko
MARCH 17, 2019
Mystics Anonymous will be joining Gladshot for the April 25th date of their Spring Tour, along with The True Jacqueline and ZoKi, playing the most excellent Root Cellar in Greenfield, MA. Great room, great sound system, great bar. What’s not to like? Join us for some experimental psychedelic pop rock, hooks with flair as it were…
For this show, Mystics Anonymous will perform in duo form featuring leader Jeff Steblea and Steve Koziol on electric guitars and vocals. Things usually get weird. In a good way.
Details on the Shows page:
JANUARY 20, 2019
If you’re over on Spotify, you can check out a “Best Of Mystics Anonymous” playlist. 12 songs, about 45 minutes that you can check out here:
JANUARY 15, 2019
Thank you to the attentive and supportive crowd that came out last night at The 413. We had a blast. Our setlist was the following:
Sinner’s Lament –>
The Spy [The Doors] –>
Vivian Line
Imperfections
Secret Stair
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
Ill at Ease
Knife Thrower
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
The Killing Moon [Echo & the Bunnymen]
DECEMBER 23, 2018
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Mystics Anonymous! Join us in a Surfin’ Wonderland for our 2018 holiday single. As always, free to download and stream as our gift to you this year! Thanks for diggin’ our groovy sounds and remember… if you’re havin’ a bad day, catch a wave!
Surfin’ Wonderland by Mystics Anonymous
DECEMBER 2, 2018
SHOW ALERT! First Mystics show in almost a year, at The 413 in Easthampton, MA.
Monday nights at The 413 feature an open mic hosted by fellow Mystic Matt Silberstein. Each open mic night has one featured performer begin the night with a 45-minute set before opening the floor to open mic sign-ups. On this night, Mystics Anonymous will be the featured performer, in the duo form of Jeff Steblea and Steve Koziol. The set will include some new songs, some old songs, and some covers for good measure. This is the first Mystics Anonymous performance in almost a year! Don’t miss it!
Details here:
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
NOVEMBER 4, 2018
This Fall marks the 20th anniversary of the birth of Mystics Anonymous, including anniversaries of the first three full-length Mystics releases. To celebrate, for the next week, the entire Mystics discography is free for download over on Bandcamp:
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/music
OCTOBER 28, 2018
Mystics Anonymous can’t recommend this album highly enough. Featuring fellow Mystics Brian Marchese and Andrew Goulet, the new Gentle Hen album, “Be Nice to Everyone,” is chock full of little pop rock gems. I don’t know how this band just continues to put out such high-quality material at such a fast pace (three albums in three years, as if it were still the ’80s when bands actually did that!). Check it out:
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Hey kids, tune in to the most excellent Table of Contents on Valley Free Radio to hear Mystics Anonymous and other good stuff! Support independent music and independent radio. Better for you than vegetables, and zero calories!
https://www.facebook.com/valleyfreeradio.org
AUGUST 25, 2018
Thank you to the wonderful show Table of Contents on 103.3 FM Valley Free Radio for playing Made of the Time by Mystics Anonymous! What’s that track, you say? You know, this one…
AUGUST 10, 2018
Get thee to a show! This one is tonight, and you don’t want to miss it. Four great bands, including Police Kittens, which features fellow Mystic Andrew Goulet. Remember, live music save lives!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1275694595897891/
JUNE 9, 2018
Hey kids, be sure to tune into Sokol Heroes this evening on WRSI-The River (93.9 and 101.5, wrsi.com) at 7:00 pm EDT. This show focuses entirely on the big world of music created from the mid-1960s right up to the present by Western MA artists, and somewhere within this week’s eclectic playlist there will be a Mystics Anonymous track! You can tune in (93.9 and 101.5) and/or listen live on www.wrsi.com!
JUNE 3, 2018
Two years ago today, Mystics Anonymous released the 5-song EP, She Wanted the Future. A perfect 18-minute blast of summery alterna-power pop. Listen to it LOUD and enjoy responsibly.
You can stream it at all the usual places–Amazon, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, etc. And you can buy it at iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby–again, pretty much all the usual places.
MAY 12, 2018
Fellow Mystic Dan Hales and his Frost Heaves have an EP release show tonight, don’t miss it!
https://www.facebook.com/events/624745581195113/
MAY 1, 2018
The latest edition of the Gig Gab Podcast is actually named after an old Go Figure song, and includes a pretty great conversation about playing songs you like vs. those you don’t like. Also, appreciate the nice words host and fellow Mystic Dave Hamilton says about me. Thanks, man!
APRIL 5, 2018
Check out the latest EP by fellow Mystic Brandee Simone here on Bandcamp. Get ready for chills…
https://brandeesimone.bandcamp.com/album/smokestacks
MARCH 18, 2018
Check out the debut solo EP from fellow Mystic Andrew Goulet. Always an amazing collaborator, it’s great to get a peek inside his own songwriter brain!
https://andrewgoulet.bandcamp.com/releases
MARCH 9, 2018
Check out this great article about fellow Mystics Brandee Simone and Andrew Goulet, and then go check out their new EPs!
http://www.gazettenet.com/Clubland-15909253
MARCH 4, 2018
For those of you who don’t know, I also play in a band called Fiesta Brava. We’ve been a little quiet lately, but we’re still here. In fact, we had a bit of an anniversary dinner the other night before the Andrew Bird show. Check out our 2013 album This Is Us Tomorrow.
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Thank you to everyone who came out to the show last night, it was our pleasure to play for you and we hope you liked it. Here’s what we played:
She Wanted the Future
Looks Like Jennifer –>
Turn Signal in the Trees
Sinner’s Lament –>
The Spy [The Doors]
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
Imperfections
The Rain Comes Down –>
Ill at Ease –>
He’s Gone [Grateful Dead]
Dirt & Disease
Vivian Line
Dear Old Mr. Hand –>
St. Elmo’s Fire [Brian Eno] –>
Maudlin, You Liar
FEBRUARY 8, 2018
Tonight’s the night! Mystics Anonymous is playing Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center, along with Two Week Notice, the songwriting project featuring fellow Mystic Matt Silbertsein, as well as Adam Dunetz, Anand Nayak, and Noam Schatz, all of whom have been challenging each other to write and record a new song every other week for the past two years. Come check out some of the best material they’ve come up with!
Mystics this evening will be a five-piece, including me, Matt Silberstein, Andrew Goulet, Brian Marchese, and Patrick Garland. Come watch us play this great new venue, we plan to play some old favorites, some brand new songs, and some surprises…
TICKETS HERE: MYSTICS ANONYMOUS AT HAWKS AND REED
$5 advance tix, $10 day of show
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FEBRUARY 3, 2018
Tonight, be sure to tune in to Sokol Heroes on 93.9 FM The River to hear Mystics Anonymous along with several other great local artists. Show starts at 7 pm, you can tune in (93.9 and 101.5) and/or listen live on www.wrsi.com!
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JANUARY 28, 2018
Tonight, tune in to Talking Hendrix on Boston Free Radio from 8 – 10 pm to hear me talk with host Ed Wrobleski about Mystics and our upcoming show at Hawks and Reed. Ed is a great supporter of Mystics Anonymous–in fact, we’re name-checked in the description of his show!
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JANUARY 24, 2018
Today I will be on Joe Vig’s Pop Explosion, talking about Mystics Anonymous and our upcoming show. Tune in on Boston Free Radio — we should be talking around 2:15 pm, but I recommend tuning in earlier if you can–Joe always plays a great set of music, and I think he’ll be playing some Mystics ahead of our talk.
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JANUARY 8, 2018
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! One month from today, Mystics Anonymous will be playing Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center, along with Two Week Notice, the songwriting project featuring fellow Mystic Matt Silbertsein, as well as Adam Dunetz, Anand Nayak, and Noam Schatz, all of whom have been challenging each other to write and record a new song every other week for the past two years. Come check out some of the best material they’ve come up with!
Mystics this evening will be a five-piece, including me, Matt Silberstein, Andrew Goulet, Brian Marchese, and Patrick Garland. Come watch us play this great new venue, we plan to play some old favorites, some brand new songs, and some surprises…
TICKETS HERE: MYSTICS ANONYMOUS AT HAWKS AND REED
$5 advance tix, $10 day of show
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DECEMBER 16, 2017
For this year’s holiday single, I went over to Rick Murnane’s cozy Makeshift Sound studio for a pleasant afternoon of recording during the season’s first snowstorm. This time around, it’s all about ukulele, toy piano, and hand percussion… we hope you enjoy this song. After all, Christmas comes but once a year… you can stream or download for free as our holiday gift to you! Thanks for listening!
Mystics Anonymous : Christmas Comes But Once a Year
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DECEMBER 14, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came out to the show last night, all of the other players, and our hosts at Jane Doe, Jr. Here’s what we played:
Sinner Intro –>
Sinner’s Lament –>
The Spy [The Doors] –>
Vivian Line
No Limit
Ghost (aborted)
Maudlin, You Liar
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DECEMBER 13, 2017
A special thank you to Talking Hendrix, the great radio show that included the Mystics Anonymous version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” on its annual holiday CD. That’s right, last year’s holiday single was this gem, featuring Brandee Simone on vocals and Patrick Garland on piano, along with yours truly. We’ll be unveiling this year’s track soon…
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/baby-its-cold-outside
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DECEMBER 12, 2017
Reminder: this show is tomorrow night! Mystics goes on first, so be there before 8:30 pm! We have a 30-minute set, and Steve Koziol and I have some special stuff planned…
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DECEMBER 10, 2017
As we count down the days to this year’s holiday single, we continue revisiting the ones from the past. Here is 2015’s Santa Baby. As always, free for download or streaming as a holiday gift from Mystics Anonymous to you!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/santa-baby
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DECEMBER 4, 2017
Are you getting in the holiday spirit? Over here, we’ve begun work on this year’s free holiday digital single! In the meantime, let’s take a trip back to 2014, when the first Mystics holiday single was released… Blue Christmas!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/blue-christmas
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NOVEMBER 13, 2017
One month from today, I’ll play a stripped-down set as Mystics Anonymous upstairs at John Doe, Jr. in Greenfield, MA, along with Bob Fay and Lauri McNamara. Plus a special guest. This one’s gonna be an all-muss, plenty-of-fuss set of left turns and digressions, in a small intimate room among groovy people. Come along and be one of them…
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OCTOBER 7, 2017
On this day in 2003, Middle Distance was released. This was an instrumental score composed and recorded for the art exhibition Of the Earth, an exhibition of sculpture, painting and music evoking the landscape of the American Southwest. The score combines a variety of sounds and instruments to create a unique sound environment, at once primal, hypnotic, trippy, psychedelic, rhythmic, and trancelike. Hard copies of this release are out of print, but you can still get the digital release at the usual places.
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/middle-distance
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OCTOBER 6, 2017
On this day in 1998, the self-titled debut album of Mystics Anonymous was released. Recorded here and there across the U.S. over the previous three years, it features dynamic performances from a number of great players spread across 14 confessional, rootsy and jazz-inflected songs. Single The Rain Comes Down received college airplay nationwide and remains a live favorite to this day. Take a trip back in time and listen to the beginning of Mystics Anonymous…
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/mystics-anonymous
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
On this day in 2004, Mystics Anonymous dropped this lo-fi experimental album on an unsuspecting public. Enjoy Winsted in the Space Room, complete with early versions of Imperfections and Maudlin, You Liar. Happy Birthday, Winsted!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/winsted-in-the-space-room
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AUGUST 4, 2017
If you were thinking about buying some Mystics Anonymous music from Bandcamp, today is the day. All proceeds will go toward supporting trans rights through the Transgender Law Center.
https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/07/31/this-friday-stand-with-bandcamp-in-support-of-trans-rights/
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JULY 2, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came out to the show last night. Karim, our lovely soundman, said we “rocked out poignantly.” Here’s what we played:
She Wanted the Future
Imperfections
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
Maudlin, You Liar
Turn Signal in the Trees
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
Sinner’s Lament
The Rain Comes Down
Dear Old Mr. Hand
Vivian Line
Made of the Time
What Goes On [The Velvet Underground]
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JULY 1, 2017
TONIGHT ONLY! Mystics Anonymous returns to the hallowed halls of Luthier’s Co-op to rock, to roll, to laugh and to cry. We have a setlist of all killer, no filler, so get out of the rain and light up your brain with music, sweet music! Last show for a while, so get it while you can get it.
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JUNE 18, 2017
Mystics Anonymous returns to Luthier’s Co-op for an evening of good music, along with friends Salvation Alley String Band and Tawdry. As always, no cover charge (but performer tips are appreciated). Check out a beautiful room, great bar, and intimate venue…
7 pm – 8 pm Tawdry
8 pm – 9:30 pm Salvation Alley String Band
9:30 pm – 11 pm Mystics Anonymous
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MAY 21, 2017
It’s no secret that fellow Mystic Brian Marchese has played in a lot of bands, and on a lot of releases! So Rub Wrongways Records went and published a playlist of great songs that feature Mr. Marchese’s stellar skills on the drumstool. You can check it out here:
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MAY 7, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Nilsson tribute show last night. It was a blast to play a few songs, and to hear the other performers. Our setlist was:
All I Think About Is You
Coconut
We raised over $400 for the local chapter of Planned Parenthood. Stay tuned, Mystics Anonymous will return…
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MAY 6, 2017
TONIGHT! Come see a great lineup of local artists all pay tribute to the amazing Harry Nilsson at The Rendezvous in Turners Falls, MA. Free show, but donations go to the Western MA chapter of Planned Parenthood. We’ll have an intimate version of Mystics playing, with Matt Silberstein on acoustic guitar, Drew Hutchison on cunga, and myself. Hope to see you there!
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APRIL 6, 2017
One month from today, join me and my fellow Mystic Matt Silberstein (and maybe some others) as we pay tribute to the great Harry Nilsson at The Rendezvous in Turners Falls, MA. This is going to be another great tribute night, with several local artists performing songs from Nilsson’s oeuvre, and it’s free, but all donations will go to the Western MA chapter of Planned Parenthood. May 6th, people! Mark it!
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MARCH 10, 2017
Thanks to the amazing crowd at Sierra Grille last night for welcoming us back to one of our favorite rooms! Here’s our setlist for the evening:
She Wanted the Future
Imperfections
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity–>
Maudlin, You Liar
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
Looks Like Jennifer [w/ Brandee Simone]
Dear Old Mr. Hand
Dirt & Disease–>
Turn Signal in the Trees–>
St. Elmo’s Fire [Brian Eno]
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FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Mystics Anonymous returns to Sierra Grille, which has recently revived its Re-Animate the Baystate shows on Thursday nights! Same as it used to be, three bands for three bucks! Good music, good food, good beer. We’re likely to bring some arcane music trivia, absurd wordplay, and unexpected aural departures. Hold on to your hats, there are no seatbelts where we’re headed!
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FEBRUARY 3, 2017
If you were thinking of buying some Mystics Anonymous music, today would be a good day. 100% of Bandcamp’s proceeds for purchases made on the site will go to the American Civil Liberties Union.
https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/01/31/bandcamp-human-rights/
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JANUARY 29, 2017
2017 begins the experimental De-Tunia project from Mystics Anonymous. I’ll share works in various stages of progress along the way. Here’s the first dispatch from the project, named De-Tunia, Pts. 1 & 2. Hope you enjoy it.
https://soundcloud.com/mystics-anonymous/de-tunia-pts-1-2
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JANUARY 24, 2017
Unfortunately, Mystics Anonymous has had to drop out of the show this Saturday 1/28 at the 13th Floor Music Lounge. Sorry for any inconvenience! Still a lot of great bands playing, with the lovely Vimana taking our place. Get thee to a show! And fear not, for Mystics will return…
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JANUARY 7, 2017
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Three weeks from today, Mystics will be coming out to play! This time at the 13th Floor Lounge with The Big Why and Moon Power.
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JANUARY 7, 2017
Tonight at 7 pm tune in to 93.9 FM The River (you can use the link below) to hear Sokol Heroes play some of their favorite local music from 2016, including a track by Mystics Anonymous. Thanks so much to Sokol Heroes and The River for their commitment to local and independent music! http://wrsi.com/sokol-heroes/
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DECEMBER 24, 2016
Sokol Heroes, the weekly one-hour radio show on WRSI-The River (93.9 and 101.5) is back this evening at 7:00 ET, as always focusing entirely on the great big world of music created from the late ’60s right up to the present by artists with Western MA roots and connections. On this Christmas Eve/first night of Chanukah, they will be playing some of their favorite Sokol Heroes songs released in 2016, including a Mystics Anonymous track! You can download the app and listen live.
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DECEMBER 18, 2016
Thank you to the handful of brave souls that came out to The Rendezvous last night despite the inclement weather. And thanks of course to The Rendezvous and Rick Murnane for opening. Here’s our setlist:
She Wanted the Future
Made of the Time
Imperfections
Maudlin, You Liar
Under the Milky Way [The Church]
(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity
Dear Old Mr. Hand
Theme from “Night Sweats”
Vivian Line
The Rain Comes Down
Turn Signal in the Trees
Ain’t No Sunshine [Bill Withers] [w/ Rick Murnane]
Knife Thrower [w/ RM]
Looks Like Jennifer [w/ RM]
All Along the Watchtower [Bob Dylan] [w/ RM] –>
St. Elmo’s Fire [Brian Eno] [w/ RM] –>
Tomorrow Never Knows [The Beatles] [w/ RM]
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DECEMBER 17, 2016
Hey all, here’s your reminder that Mystics Anonymous is playing The Rendezvous in Turners Falls, MA this Saturday! This will be the last gig of the year, and as such, we’ll be celebrating. 2016 saw the release of a new EP and some stellar shows, press and radio play. Join us to hoist a few and toast a few others–we’ll have the full band on hand, plus guests! And limited edition CDs! And a gig poster for sale! After this, we’ll be taking a break so come get some Mystics while we’re hot!
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DECEMBER 11, 2016
For this year’s digital holiday single, we decided to have some fun with an old song, Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Brandee Simone and I switch gender roles for this old chestnut, resulting in an improvisational duet that has a lot of fun at the original’s expense (which somehow still manages to be quite pretty). Patrick Garland tickles the ivories. We even made a cheesy “holiday” cover for the single! The whole thing was a blast to make, we hope you enjoy it too! You can stream this or download it for free–it’s our holiday gift to you! Thanks for listening!
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/baby-its-cold-outside
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DECEMBER 10, 2016
TONIGHT! Jeff plays a song solo as part of the Leonard Cohen tribute at The Rendezvous in Turners Falls, MA. Which song, you may ask? You’ll have to show up to find out! Several other great local artists are performing as well, including fellow Mystics Steve Koziol and Daniel Hales. So show up! It’s free, but donations of either money or books go to the very worthy Books Through Bars project, providing free books and educational materials to prisoners and educating the public about imprisonment. Show starts at 9:00 pm, age 21+.
NEXT SATURDAY! The last full-band show of 2016! That’s right, we’ll return to The Rendezvous to play a rockin’ set, featuring Matt Silberstein on guitar, Andrew Goulet on bass, Patrick Garland on keyboards, and Brian Marchese on drums. Fellow Mystic Rick Murnane will open with a solo set, and also join us on stage for some songs. It’s gonna be a fun night, and the last full-band show for a while as we take a break and focus on other things, so show up to get your Mystics fix! Show starts at 9:30 pm, age 21+.
Details for both of these shows can be found on the Mystics Shows page!
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NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Hey friends and fellow travelers, mark your calendars because on Saturday December 17, Mystics Anonymous will play its last live show of the year at The Rendezvous in Turners Falls. Fellow Mystic Rick Murnane will open the show with a solo set, and then we’ll bring it all home for you and send you on your way with a smile on your face and some pep in your step!
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OCTOBER 20, 2016
Mystics Anonymous was played on Boston Free Radio’s Joe Vig Pop Explosion last week! Did you miss it? Well, you can listen right here. We’re actually getting a decent amount of spins on Boston Free Radio, so we’d like to thank all of the wonderful team members there for their support!
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OCTOBER 13, 2016
Today, MassLive has a nice article about Mystics Anonymous, the new EP, and our upcoming show at Luthier’s Co-Op in Easthampton, MA.
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OCTOBER 8, 2016
Tonight, Mystics Anonymous will be featured on the wonderful show Sokol Heroes on WRSI 93.9 The River. Tune in on your FM dial or online here:
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OCTOBER 6, 2016
Today is the anniversary of the release of the very first Mystics Anonymous album, all the way back in 1998. A crazy mix of all the songs I’d written that didn’t seem to fit the last band (Go Figure) or looked to the future. Recorded in Austin, TX, Boston, MA and Hartford CT with Dave Hamilton, Bradford Robinson, Alec Haavik, Peter Sikoski, and Steve Wytas.
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/mystics-anonymous
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Today is the anniversary of the 2004 release of Winsted in the Space Room. At this point in Mystics history, the live band had ceased to be and I was creating lo-fi tunes in my tiny home studio in Northampton while working on some film & TV scores. These 14 tracks made the cut of what I felt would be fun to share at the time. You’ll note that two of these songs are on the new EP, revised for full band and full hi-fi.
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/winsted-in-the-space-room
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2016
The new EP gets a review in Boston’s The Noise!
http://thenoise-boston.com/2016/09/cd-reviews-sept/#MYSTICS_ANONYMOUS
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2016
Cha-cha-cha-CHANGES! Or “Changing.” Visual artist Ingrid Steblea brought to life She Wanted the Future, our new EP, with a limited edition comic book and amazing cover artwork and design. Some of her work will be showing in Greenfield, MA and the reception is tomorrow evening, check it out:
http://rock102.com/
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AUGUST 26, 2016
TMR Zoo has a review of the new Mystics Anonymous EP, calling it “a journey through a variety of popular genres that today’s audiences are attracted to, all wrapped into one visionary sound that is highly enjoyable.” Did you hear that? Highly enjoyable, and attractive to boot! Aw shucks.http://www.tmrzoo.com/2016/70519/review-mystics-anonymous-she-wanted-the-future
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http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
AUGUST 18, 2016
Thank you very much to the Valley Advocate for reviewing the new EP and promoting the release party in Northampton tomorrow night! It’s even more impressive in print, so if you see the Advocate in your travels, pick one up…
AUGUST 18, 2016
If you couldn’t listen live last night, my interview on Boston Free Radio’s Talking Hendrix is up on Mixcloud. Find out my favorite Hendrix song as well as other tidbits. You can listen to it right here: Talking Hendrix on Mixcloud
AUGUST 17, 2016
Tonight I will be on the show Talking Hendrix on Boston Free Radio from 6 pm to 7pm, giving an interview and spinning some songs from the new EP (as well as my favorite Hendrix track). You can check it out here: www.bostonfreeradio.com
AUGUST 16, 2016
Nice little review of the new Mystics EP on the Joe Vig Top 40 (we’re number 36 if you’re the type to scroll right to our review). Especially fond of this nugget: “Maudlin, You Liar is more–and most welcome–Sixties retro musical styling, a little Manic Depression beat from Mitch Mitchell, a dash of Jefferson Airplane/Jorma Kaukonen guitar playing, with Steblea’s vocal channeling Mr. Mojo Rising himself throughout the track. It all closes out with a cosmic sound for St. Elmo’s Fire, which has nothing to do with the John Parr track from the 1984 film–it’s a cover of Brian Eno’s tune of the same name and it’s got everything. And so does this disc. It’s a keeper.”
http://joevigtop40.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-joe-vig-top-40-joevigtop40com.html
AUGUST 13, 2016
Want one hour of great summertime music? Wednesdays at 6:00 pm on Boston Free Radio, there is a great show called Talking Hendrix. This past Wednesday, host Ed Wrobleski played some Mystics Anonymous on the show, along with The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Mungo Jerry, The Lovin’ Spoonful, and of course… Hendrix. You can hear the episode right here:
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JUNE 3, 2016
IT’S RELEASE DAY! The new Mystics Anonymous EP, She Wanted the Future, is now available and you can find it through all the usual suspects, including iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, CDBaby, plus streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Or you can buy it right here on the Mystics website!
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MAY 22, 2016
Mystics Anonymous will be playing some shows in the coming months, including a Prince tribute show and two EP release shows. Head over to the Shows page for details and mark your calendars!
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MAY 18, 2016
Look what arrived in the mail yesterday! We are currently hard at work finishing the comic book, and release day is just a few weeks away, on June 3!
APRIL 15, 2016
Here’s a preview of new song “(I Want to Be A) Mathematical Rarity” from the forthcoming Mystics Anonymous EP, due out June 3! Also a preview of the cover art for the CD!
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APRIL 6, 2016
From the mists of your mind comes the home movie you didn’t know was being filmed. Behold the new Jason Bourgeois video for his song “Bankbook.” You may remember Jason directed the Mystics Anonymous video for “Looks Like Jennifer.” Here, he’s in front of the camera!
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SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2016
We are fully funded! Thank you so much to all who pre-ordered and contributed! Thanks also to those who spread the word or supported the campaign in any way they could! We’ll be in touch with updates, and are hoping for a late Spring release! Technically, you still have today to pre-order, so if you want to jump on the train before it leaves the station…
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/she-wanted-the-future-ep-comic#/
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THURSDAY MARCH 3, 2016
This week, we mixed the EP at Sonelab with Mark Alan Miller, and it’s sounding great. That’s not just the tea and burritos talking.
Don’t forget to pre-order your copy here to help us raise the funds to finish it!:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/she-wanted-the-future-ep-comic/x/3196854#/
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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Work on the EP continued this week, as Mr. Ken Maiuri dropped by Gondwanaland to lay down some tasty synthesizer tracks and rap about Star Wars (that means we talked about Star Wars, no there will be no song featuring Ken rhymin’ about Star Wars, although that may not be a bad idea for the NEXT release…)
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2016
Big news for the devout and the devoted! For the next Mystics Anonymous release, I’m putting out a limited edition EP with a comic book featuring Ingrid Steblea’s artwork. It’s going to be a nice little package. If you pre-order through my Indiegogo page, it would help out a lot! You can choose packages from $8 (digital download only) up ($25 for the full CD with comic book). Please check out the page, pre-order if you’re interested, and tell your friends! Thanks! All the details are here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/she-wanted-the-future-ep-comic/x/3196854#/
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JANUARY 28, 2016
Hey all, I’m coming out of the studio for one night in February to play a solo Mystics Anonymous show at The Rendezvous in Turners Falls, an awesome place. Also playing are A.M. Gold and Steve Koziol, and Steve and I plan to play some surprise tunes together that night. Come on out for good food and drink, and good music to boot! Check out details on the Shows page:
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JANUARY 26, 2016
Fellow Mystic Brian Marchese came to Gondwanaland this week to record harmony vocals and percussion for the new EP. He was also featured in the local paper, check it out:
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JANUARY 10, 2016
It’s the anniversary of the release of Dreaming for Hours, which was the first Mystics Anonymous release in 10 years! We’re not waiting so long for the next one. In fact, recording continues today with ace keyboardist Patrick Garland for the upcoming EP…
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
Happy Holidays from Mystics Anonymous! As our gift to you this year, please enjoy this free holiday digital single, our version of Santa Baby. Stream or download, for free.
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/santa-baby
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SEPTEMBER 7, 2015
This month, I will be playing a rare solo Mystics Anonymous set at this wonderful event, part of the 100,000 Poets, Artists and Musicians for Change happening. Mark your calendars and come join me on Saturday September 26 in Easthampton, MA!
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JULY 13, 2015
Mystics Anonymous played a fun show at the Meat for Tea Cirque des Fleurs last month. Here’s roughly 4 minutes of it for your listening enjoyment, the song Maudlin, You Liar:
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JUNE 1, 2015
This song will be making its live debut this Saturday at the Meat for Tea Cirque des Fleurs. Until then, please enjoy this very-rough-mix-in-progress of She Wanted the Future.
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MAY 30, 2015
Hey, mark your calendars because Mystics Anonymous will be making a rare live appearance at the Meat for Tea Cirque on Saturday June 6. And there will be The Claudia Malibu and plenty of other great stuff–visual art, spoken word, film–as well as beer from Abandoned Building Brewery. All are welcome!
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MAY 15, 2015
Tonight, you can catch me playing bass for Seattle Lawns, the Nirvana tribute act, along with The Original Cowards at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls. Come as you are.
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MAY 9, 2015
If you listen to a lot of your music on YouTube, Dreaming for Hours is now available in its entirety right here in a YouTube playlist. Enjoy, and tell your friends!
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APRIL 10, 2015
This weekend, you can catch me as part of Fiesta Brava playing The Outer Space in Hamden, CT. If you’re local-ish, or like to travel, come on out and see some special bands play some special music just for you… because you’re special.
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MARCH 14, 2015
Recording continues on the next Mystics Anonymous release, tentatively titled Held in the Light. Fellow Mystic Matt Silberstein recently spent a pleasant afternoon at Gondwanaland, laying down some guitar tracks. Keep an eye out for some posted rough tracks in the near future…
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DECEMBER 20, 2014
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Mystics Anonymous! Please enjoy this free download of the classic holiday song, Blue Christmas:
https://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/album/blue-christmas
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NOVEMBER 29, 2014
Some shots of Mystics Anonymous recording basic tracks at Sonelab, November 2014.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.972386696108267.1073741832.326367507376859&type=3
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NOVEMBER 20, 2014
Hey all, here’s a rough, stripped-down demo of a new Mystics song. Basic tracking on the real thing begins this weekend at Sonelab!
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Hey all, I’ll be playing a stripped-down set at The Red Door in Greenfield in two weeks, so mark your calendars! Just me, and maybe a few special guest Mystics. Also playing will be Pat Garland (Groove Shoes) and Mike D (Radio Vendetta). Planning to dust off some rarities for this one…
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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AUGUST 22, 2014
Fellow Mystic Steve Koziol has released a new EP with his project Span of Sunshine, and it’s a beauty. Check out this great review:
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AUGUST 16, 2014
Super special thanks to everyone who came to the show last night! Extra special thanks to the Original Cowards and The Basement. It’s been a great Mystical summer of shows. While the live band is taking a break, there are lots of good things planned for the Fall for Mystics Anonymous, so stay tuned!
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AUGUST 14, 2014
Friday night, August 15, put on your favorite summer clothes and come out to The Basement in Northampton for the last Mystics Anonymous show of the summer! After this, Mystics will be taking a break from the stage and we plan to go out in style! Joining us will be the amazing Original Cowards. Show’s free, and starts at 8 PM!
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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AUGUST 13, 2014
Lauren Bacall was the epitome of cool. We bid her a fond farewell, and thank her for making the world a bit more mysterious, fun, and exciting. Bacall’s distinctive husky voice can be heard briefly on two Mystics Anonymous albums–Winsted in the Space Room and Dreaming for Hours. That’s how much Mystics loved her.
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AUGUST 11, 2014
Mr. Ken Maiuri has been kind enough to invite me back to co-host his amazing radio show, Wiggly World! Tonight we will be spinning tunes from 8 pm to 10 pm on WMUA 91.1 FM. I have filled a box full o’ vinyl and a bag full o’ CDs… good stuff. And *you* can call in with requests! I’m confident we can make you shake it on a Monday night! You can tune in on the FM dial or listen here:
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JULY 30, 2014
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the last Mystics Anonymous show of the summer! We are going to celebrate in style at The Basement in Northampton, MA along with The Original Cowards! Free show starts at 8 PM on Friday August 15!
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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JULY 27, 2014
Thanks to everyone who came out to the show last night, what a blast! Great venue (The Rendezvous!), great fellow band (Beach Honey!), and great audience–basically, a perfect storm. Stay tuned for an August show announcement, the last Mystics show of the summer!
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JULY 17, 2014
Hello everyone! Mystics Anonymous has 2 or 3 more shows planned in the Happy Valley to promote the new album, Dreaming for Hours! Then we will be taking a break to concentrate on other things. So if you want to see us play, get thee to a show!
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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JULY 11, 2014
Here is the full television broadcast of Mystics Anonymous on Valley Homegrown!
http://gctv.org/videos/valley-homegrown-mystics-anonymous-063014
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JULY 8, 2014
Patrick Garland came over and spent some time in Gondwanaland tonight, it was a fun and productive time. We ended up starting a new song, we’ll see what happens. Meanwhile, on this day in 1958, the first-ever Gold album was awarded by the RIAA to the Oklahoma soundtrack! Are these two things related? Is Bob your uncle?
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JUNE 27, 2014
The next Mystics show is on Monday at the GCTV studios in Greenfield, MA. That’s right, we’ll be playing a live set on television and you can be in the audience–for free!–and cheer us on. We’d love to see your bright shiny faces!
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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JUNE 21, 2014
Happy Birthday to Ray Davies, author of this beautiful song.
JUNE 19, 2014
Thanks so much to Jim Neill for playing Looks Like Jennifer on his amazing show, Jim Neill’s Jukebox, last night. We heard from friends and fans who are avid listeners, and they were very happy to hear Mystics on the show! Jim’s show is always worth listening to. If you missed it, you can hear the show here:
http://www.mixcloud.com/JimNeillsJukebox/jim-neills-jukebox-6-18-2014
JUNE 14, 2014
Hey, look! We just added a June gig to our calendar! We’ll be playing with Vimana at the Arts Block in Greenfield, MA on Thursday 6/26. We think you should be there, details here:
This weekend, filming commenced on the music video for “Looks Like Jennifer,” directed by Jason Mazzotta. We had perfect weather and a great team, and we can’t wait for you to see it. Until then, check out some photos from the shoot here:
Looks Like Jennifer Video Shoot
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Next up, Mystics Anonymous plays a live set on television, hopefully with you in the audience! It’s free and open to the public Monday June 30 at 7:00 pm at the GCTV Studios in Greenfield, MA. Huzzah! For more details, click to visit the Shows page:http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
APRIL 22, 2014
Four shows coming up for Mystics Anonymous, including some acoustic in-store performances, a tribute to the great XTC, and a live taping of TV show Valley Homegrown, free and open to the public. For more details, click to visit the Shows page:
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
MARCH 27, 2014
Another review of the new album, this one from the Valley Advocate, which also mentions tonight’s show. Hope to see you there!
http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=17728
MARCH 25, 2014
Another review of the new album, this one on the NotHaydn music blog. You can read it here: http://nothaydn.wordpress.com/
MARCH 19, 2014
MARCH 5, 2014
Geeking out on rock crit is the next best thing to geeking out on music. This is a very well-written and thoughtful review of Dreaming for Hours.
FEBRUARY 27, 2014
Hey friends, one month from today, Mystics Anonymous returns to the stage, this time at the Sierra Grille in Northampton, MA. Will Matt’s amplifier send out smoke signals? Does Andrew ever discover who stole his half-written autobiography? And where will Brian’s drums land once they’ve finished circumnavigating the globe? Be there to find out on March 27!
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
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PREVIEW #12: As we near the end of the album, the twelfth track comes in to throw some new curves at the listener. Don’t get too comfortable because you’re about to enter the Vanishing Phase…
http://mysticsanonymous.bandcamp.com/track/vanishing-phase
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JANUARY 5, 2014
JANUARY 3, 2014
JANUARY 2, 2014
JANUARY 1, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
DECEMBER 30, 2013
DECEMBER 29, 2013
DECEMBER 28, 2013
DECEMBER 24, 2013
Well, it feels like Christmas for Mystics Anonymous. Look what arrived in the mail! Whatever you celebrate this time of year, best wishes from Mystics Anonymous. Looking forward to sharing this album with you all in the coming year!
DECEMBER 23, 2013
DECEMBER 22, 2013
DECEMBER 21, 2013
DECEMBER 12, 2013
DECEMBER 1, 2013
The official release date for Dreaming for Hours is January 10! However, if you contributed to the Indiegogo campaign, you won’t have to wait that long to hear it! In the next week or so, you will be receiving an email with a code to download the album. Those of you who pre-ordered the actual CD (including those who opted for other perks) will still get those packages later, of course, but the digital download is my way of saying thanks (in advance) for your patience!
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NOVEMBER 21, 2013
Please join us January 10th (or 11th in the event of a snowstorm) in the beautiful, historic Shea Theatre to celebrate the release of your 2 new favorite albums: “Dreaming For Hours” by Mystics Anonymous and “Contrariwise” by Daniel hales, and the frost heaves.
To make sure you’re dreaming for hours afterwards… feeling like you just walked out of Wonderland and/or the Looking-Glass World, lights, video projections, and inter-dimensional portals will be utilized throughout the show. In addition, the New Renaissance Players will reprise scenes from their awesome production of “Alice In Wonderland” (directed by Jillian Morgan) during the Frost Heaves set. Did you need one more incentive to come? Lefty’s will be brewing up a special batch of “Jabberwocky Double Bock” and selling it at the show.
Both bands used Indiegogo to fund their albums, and as a big thank you to all of you who supported our pre-sales, everyone who contributed $20 or more (to *either* band’s campaign) can get into the the show for FREE. Otherwise, tickets are:
Children 12 and under: $5
Adults: $10 in advance; $15 the day of the show
You can purchase advance tickets now through Brown Paper Tickets:
http://
Albums will be available at the show for a one-time price of $6 each or $10 for both.
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NOVEMBER 10, 2013
We have now entered the mastering stage of the album, with Mark Alan Miller mastering at Sonelab. Meanwhile, Herta is finalizing the artwork for the album. After the master and artwork are finalized and approved, I will be sending both off to the factory for replication. In other news, two album-related things are happening: (1) Jason Mazotta has agreed to create a music video for the track, “Looks Like Jennifer,” which I am very excited about; and (2) we have begun planning an album release show for January. More information to follow as we work on these things! In the meantime, remember that you can listen to the rough mixes of a handful of songs on the Mystics Anonymous Soundcloud page here: https://soundcloud.com/stream
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OCTOBER 30, 2013
Mark Alan Miller and I spent two days at Sonelab preparing the final mixes, and they sound great. Now comes all the test listening, including listens in cars, computers, home stereos, etc. to make sure everything is “just so.” There will be a week or so of “tweaks” and then we will proceed on to mastering.
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OCTOBER 26, 2013
I wrapped up recording for the new album, Dreaming for Hours, today. Next, I head in to Sonelab with Mark Alan Miller to prepare the final mixes. Stay tuned, we’re getting near the end. If you’re an Indiegogo contributor, there will be another email update soon.
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OCTOBER 3, 2013
You can see a clip of Mystics Anonymous performing as “Brian Eno” during last weekend’s Arts Eclective festival in Greenfield, MA. GCTV (Greenfield Community Television) did a nice little spot on the festival, complete with clips of the bands, readers, and actors that performed… The “Brian Eno” set was part of the evening’s Velvet Goldmine After-Party, which paid tribute to the great glam bands of the ’70s. Brian Eno is a primary influence for Jeff, so it felt only right for Mystics Anonymous to take on the role.
http://gctv.org/videos/its-eclectic
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Mystics Anonymous gets a mention in this week’s Tuned In column in Hampshire Life, reminding people to check out the solo set on Wednesday 9/25 at Forbes Library in Northampton, MA!
http://www.gazettenet.com/artsentertainment/hampshirelife/8478365-95/ken-maiuris-tuned-in
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
A few shows coming up this month, first a solo show (just Jeff singing and playing guitar) at Forbes Library in Northampton, MA on 9/20. Then a full-band set as Mystics Anonymous transforms into Brian Eno for this year’s Arts Eclective Festival–it’s a Velvet Goldmine Glam Rock Tribute! More info here:
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
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AUGUST 27, 2013
A few more lovely articles about this year’s Transperformance. I will be playing as part of Lord Russ & Friends, wherein we “transperform” as The Cure. The MassLive article specifically talks about how memorable Lord Russ’s performances are! If you’re in the area, you should not miss this performance! Today, starting at 4:00 PM and ending around 9:30 PM. Lord Russ & Friends are slated to perform at 7:45 PM! Yes, I like exclamation marks!
http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/08/transperformance_honors_founde.html
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AUGUST 25, 2013
The Valley Advocate has published a lovely article about this year’s Transperformance. I will be playing as part of Lord Russ & Friends, wherein we “transperform” as The Cure. There was some shopping involved. If you’re in the area, you should not miss this performance!
Read the article here: http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article_print.cfm?aid=17087
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AUGUST 17, 2013
I am pleased to announce that this year, I will be playing as part of “Lord Russ and Friends” at Transperformance XXIII. For those of you unfamiliar with Transperformance, each summer the Northampton Arts Council and the PTOs of Northampton’s public schools join forces in August to raise funds for arts enrichment in the schools and the ArtsEZ spring grant program. The festival always features a great lineup of local artists who “transperform” into other artists right before your eyes; for example, Lord Russ and friends will be “transperforming” as The Cure this year. So show up and watch us lay down a blistering set of favorite Cure tunes. I will be channeling my inner Simon Gallup! You can purchase tickets and read more about it here:
http://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/2013/07/transperformance-23-beyond-bob.html
And the Facebook event is here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/566151906782398/
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AUGUST 8, 2013
Last night, fellow Mystic Brian Marchese spent some time in the studio recording backing vocals and shaking some tambourine. Brian, in addition to his own projects Sitting Next to Brian and Beth & Brian, is an accomplished musician who has played in too many bands to mention, but among whom are Mark Mulcahy, Haunt, The Aloha Steamtrain, School for the Dead, and The Fawns.
If you haven’t already, please consider pre-ordering and receiving any number of awesome perks for contributing to the Indiegogo campaign, which will help me fund the album, and tell your friends! I am making a beautiful package–great artwork, great booklet, and gearing up for a great mixing and mastering session at Sonelab with maestro Mark Alan Miller. Only $800 more to go, and the project will be fully funded! The campaign page is here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dreaming-for-hours
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AUGUST 6, 2013
Last night, Brandee Simone of The Salvation Alley String Band came to the Gondwanaland studio and recorded vocals on three songs. We had a great time, and now there are some very beautiful male/female vocal harmonies on the album!
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AUGUST 4, 2013
Listen to a rough mix of the track Looks Like Jennifer, from the forthcoming album Dreaming for Hours:
https://soundcloud.com/mystics-anonymous/looks-like-jennifer
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AUGUST 1, 2013
Recording continues! Last night, Ken Maiuri came to the Gondwanaland studio and put down bass guitar and keyboards on a handful of tracks. In addition to his own projects–Ribboncandy, Four Color Press, The Super 8 Players, The TV Show–Ken has played in too many projects to mention, but among them are Mark Mulcahy, Young at Heart Chorus, Heather Maloney, Pedro the Lion, Spouse, King Radio, School for the Dead, and Dennis Crommett, and I am grateful he made the time to be a part of Mystics. If you haven’t already, please consider pre-ordering and receiving any number of awesome perks for contributing to the Indiegogo campaign, which will help me fund the album, and tell your friends! I am making a beautiful package–great artwork, great booklet, and gearing up for a great mixing and mastering session at Sonelab with maestro Mark Alan Miller. The campaign page is here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dreaming-for-hours
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JULY 30, 2013
Recording on the new album, Dreaming for Hours, continues at a good clip! Last week, Rick Murnane came to the Gondwanaland studio and put down electric guitar on three tracks. And last night, Patrick Garland came by and recorded keyboards on three tracks. Meanwhile, between these guest sessions, I continue to record and edit furiously, hoping to finish all recording in August before advancing to the mixing stage in September. Also, the Indiegogo campaign has been a pretty good success so far. 15 days into the 60-day campaign, and we are 51% of the way to our goal, having raised $1,030 of our needed $2,000. If you haven’t already, please consider pre-ordering and receiving any number of awesome perks for contributing to the campaign, and tell your friends! The campaign page is here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dreaming-for-hours
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JULY 15, 2013
It is official! I have started an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to help me finish the Mystics Anonymous album! Please check it out, participate if you can, and tell your friends, family, and anyone else who may be interested! Lots of perks, beginning with just a $10 pre-order!
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dreaming-for-hours
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JUNE 29, 2013
Check out the new video announcing the 2013 release of the next Mystics Anonymous album, Dreaming for Hours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMwTa5RLHVE&feature=youtu.be
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JUNE 12, 2013
Jeff contributed backing vocals in the studio to the next Daniel Hales, and the Frost Heaves album, Contrariwise. The album consists of musical adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s poems in Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through The Looking-Glass. Look for a November release!
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JUNE 4, 2013
Erik Amlee came by the studio and recorded sitar and electric sitar for a few songs on the album. Mark it on your calendar, the new album Dreaming for Hours is coming along. It looks like (cross your fingers) all recording should be done by the end of August, and then it’s off to mixing, mastering, production & maybe a November release date? We’ll see….
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JUNE 1, 2013
More recording with guests! This time, Andy Goulet of The Salvation Alley String Band and True Value stopped by to play some pedal steel and some bass guitar on the album. It just keeps getting better and better over here…
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MAY 31, 2013
A special treat: new track Turn Signal in the Trees, cut live in the studio. This will be used for basic tracks on the forthcoming album, Dreaming for Hours. For now, enjoy this live version featuring Jeff on lead vocals and electric guitar; Matt Silberstein on electric guitar; Andy Goulet on bass guitar; and Brian Marchese on drums. This was recorded live at Sonelab with Mark Alan Miller in April. https://soundcloud.com/mystics-anonymous/turn-signal-in-the-trees-live
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MAY 27, 2013
More recording, this time with Steve Koziol of Span of Sunshine and Something Else, among other fine bands and projects, coming by the studio to lay down some guitar and some cool bells…
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MAY 10, 2013
Recording the new album, Dreaming for Hours, continues! And the pace only gets faster and faster. Last night, Ray Keane of Fiesta Brava dropped by the studio and laid down some tasty guitar tracks for the album!
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MAY 1, 2013
REMINDER! Jeff will be singing a song at the upcoming tribute to Levon, Richard and Rick of The Band on May 2 at the Iron Horse! There will be several great local artists performing many of the great songs The Band gave us. Join in the fun! For more information, head over to the Shows page. Or go right to the source for an advance ticket to the event: http://www.iheg.com/iron_horse_main.asp
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APRIL 18, 2013
Fiesta Brava will be releasing their album This Is Us Tomorrow on Friday April 19 The Iron Horse in Northampton, MA. You can purchase an advance ticket to the event here: http://www.iheg.com/iron_horse_main.asp
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APRIL 15, 2013
Jeff went into the studio this weekend with Brian Marchese (Sitting Next to Brian, School for the Dead, and many others), Matt Silberstein (The Salvation Alley String Band, Matt Silberstein Band), and Andy Goulet (The Salvation Alley String Band, True Value). With Mark Alan Miller at the helm of Sonelab, the band recorded basic live tracks for three songs and had a blast. Look for some of this material to surface on the forthcoming Mystics Anonymous album, Dreaming for Hours.
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MARCH 28, 2013
Jeff will be singing a song at the upcoming tribute to Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko of The Band at The Iron Horse in Northampton, MA on Thursday May 2nd. For more information, head over to the Shows page. Or go right to the source for an advance ticket to the event: http://www.iheg.com/iron_horse_main.asp
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MARCH 9, 2013
After a break of a few months, recording has resumed on the forthcoming Mystics Anonymous album. Gondwanaland, my studio, is back up and running and yesterday I celebrated by (re-)recording some vocals for the album. There are a few tracks that I’m having trouble deciding how to approach vocally, so yesterday I put down several takes for each of four tracks, and I hope that somewhere in there is the answer. Also, I have booked time to record at Sonelab with Mark Alan Miller in April. I’ll be going in with Brian Marchese, Matt Silberstein, and Andy Goulet to try and capture the magic that happens when the four of us play together in a room. Specifically, we’ll be tackling the song Turn Signal in the Trees, a favorite among the four of us. So cross your fingers, but I’m hoping for a 2013 release of this album.
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FEBRUARY 15, 2013
Mystics Anonymous (really just me and a guitar this time around) will be playing this Robyn Hitchcock tribute show at The Parlor Room in Northampton, MA. You can get tickets through the link below.
http://www.parlorroommusic.com/robyn-hitchcock-birthday-tribute-3313.html
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DECEMBER 28, 2012
Another nice article about the upcoming Mike Nesmith tribute, to take place at The Elevens in Northampton, MA on Sunday December 30, starting at 7 pm. Jeff will be performing The Crippled Lion with an all-star cast of local musicians. Read about it here:
http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/12/year_closes_out_with_monkee_bu.html
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DECEMBER 27, 2012
Jeff is mentioned in this great article about the upcoming Mike Nesmith tribute, to take place at The Elevens in Northampton, MA on Sunday December 30, starting at 7 pm. Read it here:
http://mobile.gazettenet.com/ae/3470008-108/monkees-nesmith-band-mike
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DECEMBER 26, 2012
Mystics Anonymous has been asked to perform at a multi-artist tribute to the great Mike Nesmith. This will take place at The Elevens in Northampton, MA on Sunday December 30, starting at 7 pm. The night includes performances by several very talented people, including Philip Price from Winterpills and Lord Russ, and the whole thing is curated by Brian Marchese, drummer extraordinaire and Nesmith aficionado. Details available here:
http://mysticsanonymous.com/shows/
If you’re interested in what we’ll be playing, and who will comprise Mystics Anonymous on this evening, read along here:
http://mysticsanonymous.com/the-crippled-lion/
Hope to see you there!
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DECEMBER 7, 2012
Mystics Anonymous is featured in this week’s edition of Tuned In, Ken Maiuri’s wonderful column in Hampshire Life Magazine. You can read the article online here:
Tuned In: Ken Maiuri on Valley Music
Consider this your final reminder that tonight we play The Basement in Northampton, MA. Showtime is 8:00, FREE, age 21+.
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DECEMBER 2, 2012
We have a show coming up this coming Friday December 7, 2012 at The Basement in Northampton. And now we know who we’ll be playing with–the wonderful folks of Span of Sunshine! Come see a double-dose of indie pop rock for FREE, starting at 8:00 PM.
On this night, Mystics Anonymous will be comprised of Jeff Steblea (lead vocal, guitar), Matt Silberstein (guitar, vocals), Andy Goulet (bass guitar), and Brian Marchese (drums, vocals). These fine people, in case you don’t know, play in a number of great projects, including Sitting Next to Brian, The Salvation Alley String Band, and School for the Dead, among others.
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OCTOBER 20, 2012
We had so much fun playing together in September, we’re going to do it again! This time, we’ll be at The Basement in Northampton on Friday December 7, 2012 at 8:00 PM. No cover. Not sure yet who else will be on the bill, but we’ll be playing 7 or 8 songs that will make your life better if you hear them. Be there, or be… somewhere else less cool.
Mystics Anonymous will be comprised of Jeff Steblea (lead vocal, guitar), Matt Silberstein (guitar, vocals), Andy Goulet (bass guitar), and Brian Marchese (drums, vocals). These fine people, in case you don’t know, play in a number of great projects, including Sitting Next to Brian, The Salvation Alley String Band, and School for the Dead, among others.