TENEMENT TV’s journey with the Mystery Jets began on a bleak Tuesday afternoon in Glasgow. The rain was predictably pissing down and the band from Twickenham in London got a right good soaking. After drying off their trademark hair, we interrupted the lads in the penthouse bar of Oran Mor jamming on the piano- a true introduction to a band that are in their eighth year as a five-piece.
Taking their guitars and passion across the Atlantic to Texas, the band has discussed heavy Texan influences. Stripping back all the drama, the new album is a true reflection of growth and determination: “We wanted to do something much more economic and cut out any electronic elements that were previously in our music. We also wanted to make a record that referenced the sort of music that comes out of Texas and America.”
We wanted to do something much more economic and cut out any electronic elements that were previously in our music
The backdrop to the bands website features old school biker jackets, fringed tassels, an American flag and heavy pouts. Clearly inspired by Texas following a secret show at SXSW in 2011, the band began to appreciate music from that part of the world.
“Sixth Street in Austin is like a human river of music people during SXSW. Everyone has frozen margaritas in their hand and you just get pulled along the river and dragged into bars. Then you’re spat back out into the river a dishevelled human. It doesn’t stop; it goes on all day, all night.”
With great expectations of a Texan adventure the band embarked on album number four. Redlands was created and inspired by the bible-belt of America. Whilst listening to the likes of Neil Young and Crosby Stills and Nash, the band even brought on board a Gospel choir- although that was done back in London: “The gospel choir are on four tracks. We just wanted to make something new, explore completely new territory for us.
“Going to a different place was a great way to do that as you are discovering new things all the time and that makes great music.
“We get bored quite quickly and we have quite vivacious type of musical appetites. It is just natural for us to explore our own creativity in a wide variety of different ways. And that’s exactly what we did while recording Redlands.
“We don’t want to stay still musically, we want to keep pushing it. “
And what does the band think about on dreary November days like these? Well Varanasi in India of course: “It’s basically like Venice, on drugs.” Sounds like a perfect destination for album number five, and with their talent in reinvention, who knows what’s next from the Mystery Jets.
Edited by Nadine Walker
