Mystic Braves At The Mohawk

Austin – I immediately recognized Julian Ducatenzeiler as the lively tambourinist I saw perform with Mr. Elevator & the Brain Hotel during the Burger Records SXSW showcase. On Sunday, May 18th I watched him fill the role he was meant to–that of front man for the Los Angeles based Mystic Braves. It’s a true feat to have the crowd form a psychedelic soul train at all, but for it to happen on a Sunday night in the sparsely filled Mohawk was a feat of epic proportions. Yet, the back and forth of the crowd felt right as the electric organ escalated, leading us straight toward California bliss while Ducatenzeiler sang of the pain in his heart.

Down to their attire, there’s no mistaking the 60’s influence. These gents are spot on with their Beatles bangs, flared pants, and chic turtlenecks, but this is not for show. This is a lifestyle. Lately, we’re seeing a strong revival of sunny California 60’s pop a la The Mama’s & the Papas, but rather than seeping out from Topanga Canyon, this pop comes to us from Echo Park. The Mystic Braves are certainly members of that scene but, if their live show is any indication, that scene won’t contain them for long.

As their set rambled along with guitars that jangled and catchy tunes that felt like they should be hits already, it became a BYOT sort of thing. Yes, by this I mean Bring Your Own Tambourine–some of the audience members did. The audience continued to step back and forth, rhythmically in sync until the entire Mohawk crowd was shaking their shoulders to the music. Playing tunes from their recently released LP, “Desert Island,” the Braves transported us to another time, where perhaps I didn’t have to work my day job at 8 AM the next day and white wine didn’t create sugary hangovers.

Songs like “You Take the Dark Out of Me” lift you up like gospel might. You can feel in the live performance why the simplicity of the lyrics works so well tangled in the complexity of the music. It allows each musician to move through the song and in to surf-rock guitar solos or melodic organ crescendos. This is a band who is simply creating a happiness experience. You can’t help but smile while the bubbly reverb hums along over the speakers and they weave tales of missed lovers. The band, made up of Ducatenzeiler on guitar and lead vocals, Tony Malacara on bass and vocals, Shane Stotsen on guitar and vocals, Cameron Gartung on drums, and Ignacio Gonzalez on keyboards, moves well as a cohesive unit, adding harmonies to make the tunes soar, but gives each musician the chance to stand out and show off their musical chops.

The surge of Psychedelic music is no accident. It provides an escape for those of us who aren’t able to live the carefree lifestyle presented in these glowingly crafted pop songs. It is easy to lump these bands in with those that are making the biggest impact such as Tame Impala and Temples, but Mystic Braves stand on their own, in a field full of daisies, guiding me swiftly towards 5 PM.

About
Latest Posts

Ilyse Kaplan

Growing up in Boston, MA, Ilyse Kaplan was an avid music fan so she followed her passion to Los Angeles.Unable to decide whether to be Penny Lane or William from "Almost Famous," she combined their best assets--William's writing skills and Penny's fashion--and joined her guitarist boyfriend Southwest.Though missing her old haunts like The Echo and The Satellite, she has warmly embraced the Austin music community and looks forward to sharing the hidden gems she comes across wandering aimlessly down east 6th st.Her record collection holds no boundaries from 60's Yeh Yeh girls like Francoise Hardy to her imaginary hip hop boyfriend, Drake.From the kings of morose, The Smiths, to the reigning queen, Taylor Swift.Having written for publications such as Variety, LADYGUNN, and Filter in the past, she looks forward to reporting Austin's Best New Bands live from the scene.