Middle East Downstairs 2011
With influences ranging from icons such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to contemporary artists
like PJ Harvey and The Verve, Mistle Thrush's sound has been described as everything from sonic
rock to dream pop. Steve Morse of the Boston Globe recently labeled the band "an expansive,
psychedelic-spiced rock unit with influences from Jim Morrison to Kate Bush," while the CMJ
New Music Report called them "remarkable" and "enchantingly moody." Virtually Alternative wrote,
"like Sonic Youth, Mistle Thrush pushes the borders of indie guitar rock...combining the ethereal
and the unforgiving."
Upon releasing their first 7" in 1994, Mistle Thrush developed a partnership with Washington, D.C.-based
Bedazzled Records. A string of releases followed, culminating in the acclaimed full-length
Silt, which earned the band national attention including a full-page profile in Alternative Press.
Mistle Thrush then recorded their third album, Super Refraction, in New York City with producer
Kurt Ralske (Rasputina, Swell, Ultra Vivid Scene). After shopping the CD to labels and booking
agents, years of self-promotion and self-management grabbed the attention of August Artists
Group, the company responsible for bringing Madonna into the public eye. After signing with
Camille Barbone of August Artists, the band soon had a deal with independent label Egg Records.
The resulting alliance also earned Mistle Thrush a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
Following the release of Super Refraction, a year of relentless touring took its toll on the band,
resulting in the departure of two original members followed by a split with their label. Still
committed to promoting the album, however, a determined Mistle Thrush continued to tour with
friends filling in throughout 1999. During this time, the band shared the stage with such acts as
Sonic Youth, Garbage, Spiritualized, Luscious Jackson, Morphine, and Love and Rockets, to
name a few. Super Refraction received national airplay and attention, charting on CMJ's Top 100,
entering daily rotation on WBCN, and earning a "pick hit" in Friday Morning Quarterback, all of
which contributed to increased exposure for the band. Mistle Thrush finished the year by
performing at Rolling Stone magazine's holiday party in New York City and were honored back
home at the Boston Music Awards with Best Indie Album and Best Female Vocalist.
With two new compilation tracks released in the Spring of 2001 ("Heavy Set John" on Arch Enemy's
Know Your Enemy and "Drowning For William" on the BDC's Maximum Wage), and two new tracks
on Chicago-based Invisible Records' ambitious compilation Notes From Thee Real Underground
(October 2001), Mistle Thrush are back in full swing. Their fourth album, entitled Drunk With You,
was produced with Grammy-nominated engineer Andrew Schneider (Blue Man Group) and released
nationally February 26, 2002 on Ecstatic Records. Initial reaction to the album has been
overwhelmingly positive. WBCN has once again gotten behind the band and added the first
single, "Small", to regular rotation. Along with commercial airplay, "Small" is also making its way
into area dance clubs, further proving Mistle Thrush's cross-over potential.
Never one to be pigeon-holed, Drunk With You showcases Mistle Thrush's genre-straddling ability
with nods to 60's soul, 80's New Romanticism and bombastic nu beat. For those seeking refuge
from a market dominated by regurgitated metal and fluffy teen stars, Mistle Thrush deliver
both substance and a solid kick in the ass.
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no cover - sold out Oct 09' 'Mistle Thrush' mideastdown 02'by jusbill36387 views
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