Some bands are so prolific that it’s hard to keep up with all the releases they put out – from singles and EPs to albums, videos and remixes. Throw on top of that the fact that band members often have multiple music projects on the go (not to mention their day jobs and families), as well DJ and touring obligations. A combination of all the above calls to mind one of the busiest indie pop outfits on America’s East coast – namely the South Carolina-based group The Mystery Plan.
As the band gears up to release their ‘What A Day’ EP, which is out this Friday though boutique label 10mm Omega Recordings. On the eve of the day marking their umpteenth release, we are pleased to premiere this latest music, which presents an alluring combination of Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx, Nightmares on Wax and Morcheeba. What’s not to love about that. A beautiful proposition for the earbuds and an enticing soundbite to whet one’s appetite for their forthcoming ‘Haunted Organic Machines’ album (coming end of March 31).
Let’s rewind to 2010 when the band was formed. Back then, it was a duo of just Jason Herring and Paul Jensen (Fetchin’ Bones / the Interstellars) – handling everything in regular DIY fashion. The two juggernauts were eventually joined by Jason’s wife, Amy Herring, followed by Otis Hughes, Patty McLaughlin Thomas and Jefferson Chester.
“When we were starting to come out of the pandemic we wanted to do something fun and groovy, and what happened was ‘What A Day (Disco)’. The rest of the album just fell into place after that,” says Jason Herring.
Produced and mixed by Jason Herring and Rob Tavaglione, ‘Haunted Organic Machines’ finds the band exploring new, but familiar territory from spacey dance grooves, to spooky, moody dream pop and everything that goes with it.
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This album follows a steady stream of releases from the quintet, the latest of which involved the legendary John Fryer (This Mortal Coil, Black Needle Noise), known for producing seminal releases by Love and Rockets, Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails, Swans, Clan of Xymox, Yaz (Yazoo), Xmal Deutschland and Stabbing Westward, among others. This fruitful collaboration shaped The Mystery Plan albums‘Queensland Ballroom’, ‘Zsa Zsa’ and ‘You Also Have Eyes’, not to mention the creation of an epic remix on the ‘Thought Bubbles’ record.
As of February 10, the ‘What A Day’ EP will be available digitally, including Bandcamp, Spotify and Apple Music. The full ”Haunted Organic Machines’ album will be released, both digitally and on CD, on March 31.
TRACK LIST
1. What A Day
2. What A Day (Steve Howerton/ Coflo remix)
3. Absolute (live at Satellite Recording studios)
CREDITS
Produced by Jason Herring and Rob Tavaglione
Additional production on “What A Day (Disco)” by That Guy Smitty
Recorded at Bulls Hit Records and Catalyst Recording in Charlotte, NC
Mastered by Rob Tavaglione at Catalyst Recording in Charlotte, NC
Artist photos by Daniel Coston
Album cover by smitty@that_guys_polaroids
Layout by Michelle Rackley at Clear Design
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