Singer-songwriter Mystee has released her latest two track single, ‘cold coffee/hurricane Martin,’ now available on all streaming platforms. Inspired by artists like Soccer Mommy and Phoebe Bridgers, “cold coffee” and its B-side, “hurricane martin,”bring about a new era in Mystee’s songwriting. Her lyrics paint pictures of puzzling darkness, scraping the corners of her subconscious.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Mystee about the latest music, adapting during a pandemic, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from Boston, MA originally but most of my career I lived in Cardiff, Wales. If you ask me where I’m from, I’d say Boston, but if you ask where home is, definitely Cardiff.
My style of music is indie pop/rock but I have influences in Welsh psychedelia, classic rock, and Americana as well.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I started playing guitar when I was six years old because I saw a man playing at my preschool and decided I had to try. Ever since then, it’s like I never had a choice. Music is who I am. When I moved to Wales after college, I started my band, Glass Jackets, and that’s really when everything started taking off. That was the first time I thought, “okay, maybe I can actually do this.”
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
It’s strange to think about my musical journey because with each project, I thought it would be the endgame. I would say that my first “real” project, as in professionally playing music, was Glass Jackets. We were a folk rock/blues band that became a close-knot family. There’s a long story there (visas tousle, personal struggles, etc), but through the journey we took together, our sound really adapted and grew into something much more unique and more influenced by our homeland of Wales.
After lockdown was announced in the Uk, I was quarantining with my band mate, Elliot, and we started a duo called Wyllows. Wyllows was meant to be a short term side project from Glass Jackets, since we were stuck in lockdown apart from our band mates, but it took off and got several thousand streams and attention from the BBC and American radio stations.
Mystee is me finally doing a solo project, one that I had put off starting for a long time because I was so focused on my bands. This project is something a little more personal. I make all the decisions now, which is equally liberating and terrifying, so what you hear with Mystee is purely me. My goal with this project is to empower myself to take control of all the aspects I used to rely on my band mates for. I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
Wow, what a question. Can I say everything?
I would have to say no longer being in Wales, where I’ve been growing my career and my life for the past four years. I’m starting from scratch right now and that’s a lot to handle. I kept writing because I didn’t have a choice. Times were really dark and I had no other way to deal with it.
What was the last song you listened to?
Marigold by Pinegrove. I’m glad you asked when the answer wasn’t something embarrassing like the Monster Mash.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl. Nothing beats the vintage sound and the little imperfections.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
Instagram. My handle is @mysteemusic
You can also check out my website and blog at mysteemusic.com
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you so much for speaking with me! I hope you enjoy the songs.
