The Mystic Underground just dropped a killer synth-pop single that brings a classic and alternative undertone that uses a series of retro keys and synth patches and sounds that really take you can, and it's all used with a certain tastefulness that makes it crisp and incredibly danceable.
"Peter" is packed with fun and colorful tonality that swims around you and really creates that nostalgic soundscape with a near perfect execution.
The vocals are flowy, and the melodies are memorable as the textures of the song melt together and the beat grabs you and makes you move.
The groove is classic but it's a deep one too and its very infectious to say the least.
The track has vibrant styles, and the approach is nailed as the aesthetic couldn't be done better.
These guys completely nail the sound, and the genuine feel is so real that you know it's all al over letter to the genre and time.
The music is produced very well, and the band has a way of bringing that old school feel into a new platform by sneaking in updated vibes in the remixed version which comes with the original single.
Both are pretty amazing but we're more fans of the vintage and original feel of the single.
With the release of this banger, we wanted to talk shop with The Mystic Underground to see where this may have all come from anyway.
Here's what went down.
RAG: Okay so let's start with "Peter". This single has a killer retro-pop feel to it! Where did this track come from?
Vladimir Valette: First of all, thank you very much! You are too kind! The song essentially came from a bit of inspiration Ben (Socci, keyboards/production) had in wanting to write a bit of a synthwave tune akin to something from the 'Drive' motion picture soundtrack. When he presented it, I was immediately taken by the sort of warm, dreamy and ethereal vibe and wanted to write something that would match that energy. I'd like to think it worked out in the end!
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
VV: It's probably the most cliche and banal response to this question but our influences are pretty varied. We're obviously very much into dance music and generally anything in the electronic realm but Ben grew up as a bit of a metalhead in addition to being into things like Rush and Information Society. I was always into the post-punk and new wave scenes along with rap and britpop. You could say for me that if it came out of England, I very likely had my head nodding to it in some capacity.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
VV: I'd say it all began a very long time in a land far away when I had older cousins who were very much into music. They had noticed my curiosity at the music they were playing out of their room and allowed me to tag along and listen. I was simply taken aback at the wonderful sounds which then led me to want to learn more. I would often spend many an afternoon lying on the carpet watching music video shows on the television seeing these larger than life personalities on screen doing these fantastical things and being cooler than anything I could possibly imagine at the time being so small. I think the seeds were sown in those days that being a star was something I had to be. Almost as if it were something I was destined to see become reality.
RAG: What's next for you as an artist?
VV: Next up is likely another single or two to whet people's appetites whilst we complete work on our new record that we hope to have out sometime in the first quarter of 2023. One thing we hang our collective hats on is being diverse sonically and pushing ourselves to do things we may find uncomfortable but yet retaining the fundamental elements that make us who we are which is ultimately being songwriters above all else. The tune is the most important thing always. Otherwise, it's just a waste of the listener's time and they're not giving you a lot if the song is a dud.
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
VV: That's a good question to which I don't always have a great answer because I am often seemingly immersed in a constant state of writer's block. Haha. In all seriousness though, when that flicker of hope strikes, it's usually due to something notable i hear in the music or if it's something I'm writing, it could be something as a phrase that strikes a chord in a particular moment and I may construct a chorus around that. If I'm successful, I weave something around that phrase to make the whole lyric more cohesive. Oftentimes when I'm stuck, I find that it's always beneficial to go back to the basics. Some time away to listen to the artists that set me on my path just to remind myself of little nuances that can be heard in the music or a clever turn of a phrase, anything that can help set my mind back on the path of writing the next great pop tune.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
VV: Usually when I'm not working on music. I'm often listening to a ton of it along with my usual favourite podcasts. I'm a bit of a hardcore sports fanatic so I try to games as often as I can. I'm also a lover of literature, film, going out to parties and being a gym rat. I try to keep myself pretty busy and active. Idle hands and all that..
RAG: Who are you listening to right now?
VV: At this very moment I am on a bit of a Cult kick. I've always been a fan of Ian Astbury's voice and the energy provided by Billy Duff's guitar work is always a welcome listen. I'm pretty old school with how I consume my music in that I actually load music onto my phone instead of using things like Spotify. Besides the Cult, I've been listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar, Spector, Boy Harsher and Linea Aspera.
RAG: Are you doing live performances?
VV: Absolutely! We thrive on stage and very much are looking to book shows surrounding the release of the next record. Nothing is better than sharing one's work with a live audience and the exhilaration that comes with the energy they give back to you. If you want us to play in your town, please do get in touch. Don't be shy!
RAG: This single seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming artists out there?
VV: The best and simplest piece of advice I can offer is to literally write, write and keep writing. Write about your favourite cat, the guy or girl who broke your heart, anything. The trick is keep doing it until you find your voice. Once you do, it's yours and yours alone. Like I mentioned earlier, it's also never a bad idea to go back and listen to the masters just to pick up tips on writing melodies that stick to your bones. Once you get the hang of it, that's when your confidence begins to grow and you get a better idea of how it all works. Don't be afraid to write songs that affect people whilst making them shuffle their feet. It's good for the soul.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
VV: I would like to thank every single person who's taken time out of their day to give us a listen It's always appreciated, and we hope that if Peter was your introduction, you will continue to follow us as we bring you new tunes to groove to in the very near future. Thank you again!
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