Most of the music I hear is sent to me by labels and publicists. But there’s nothing like getting it straight from the source. Welcome to the latest instalment of DIY Discovery, where I introduce you to artists who have sent me their music directly (and who don’t suck — that’s definitely part of the deal too). If you’d like to get in on this action, no problemo: Just click here or go to the Submit Music page, fill out the form and hit send. Or email me directly here. I can’t promise I’ll feature you, but if you’re as awesome as you think you are, it could happen. You never know. But first, check out today’s worthy entry:
NAME: MYTHICAL MOTORS
HOME: Chattanooga, Tenn.
LATEST RELEASE: Elevated Levels
MY PITHY DESCRIPTION: A solid Superchunk of Guided By Voices
THREE ADJECTIVES FOR THEIR MUSIC: Lo-fi, scrappy, psychedelic
WHO THEY SOUND LIKE: Robert Pollard‘s drinking buddies jamming in the garage with Mac McCaughan
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: There are some artists who linger in one particular vein of music for their entire career, maintaining a holding position while doling out the same noise song after song. There are some, however, who work within a broader musical landscape while also focusing on the detailed wonder within their chosen aesthetic. Chattanooga natives Mythical Motors exist in that foggy grey area between the borders of a handful of different sounds. Their work is characterized by a lo-fi garage pop vibe that feels instantly familiar but which reveals significant spectacle the longer you listen.
Drawing influences from bands such as Guided By Voices, The Clean, Wire, R.E.M., Superchunk, Bevis Frond and the expansive Elephant 6 Collective, the band weaves a wide net of surrealistic narratives that tackle subjects ranging from historical battlegrounds and traveling to foreign lands, to mythical creatures and dream paralysis. Incorporating bits of jangle pop, post-punk, psychedelic folk, and even some hints of prog rock, Mythical Motors combine their influences to create a swirling and mesmeric array of sounds and textures.
Having formed in 2006 and shared the stage with artists like Jonathan Richman, Times New Viking, Bill Fox, Wussy, Small Reactions, Casper & The Cookies, Timmy & The Tumblers, Eureka California, Frontier Folk Nebraska, and Poison Control Center, the band has taken these experiences and used them to further sharpen their own distinct identity and aesthetic. Matt Addison and Brad Smith first started playing together in what would eventually become Mythical Motors in the summer of 2006. They had met earlier that year at the first ever Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) solo show in Athens, GA. Mike Brown joined on bass soon after, and several lineup changes later, Johnny Wingo came on to play guitar.
Through a shared musical association, each band member brings their own interpretations of these collective influences to bear on the band’s music. Whether it’s a slightly skewed version of the pop that’s a direct descendant from the British Invasion of the ‘60s or the serrated post punk edges of bands like Gang of Four or Magazine, Mythical Motors explore these sounds in an expansive and fully inclusive manner.
NOW HEAR THIS:
