Mystics Anonymous: Blog

My band Fiesta Brava is excited to announce our own show this coming Saturday 10/25 at The Black Moon in Belchertown, Massachusetts. The Black Moon just opened up and is quickly gaining a reputation as a major venue for music in the area. They also have really good beers on tap. Coincidence? I think not. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/blackmoonjazz.

Our good friends Jen Tobey's Alter Ego will be opening the show, which starts around 9:00. You may remember that Jen Tobey won The River's songwriter award a few years back, and if you haven't seen Mike Demento shred his guitar yet, you're in for a treat. As for us, we'll be playing a few new songs and encouraging Matt to sing his favorite Neil Diamond songs.

Come on out and join us for a fun night of good music and good libations! Bring friends! We hope to see you there!

DETAILS:
Saturday 10/25 at 9:00 pm
Fiesta Brava
w/ Jen Tobey's Alter Ego
at The Black Moon
37 State St (Route 202)
Belchertown, MA
$5, 21+
http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/calendar.html
http://www.fiestabravamusic.com/calendar.html

Carol Chaput's wonderful series "The Southwest Paintings" is showing at The Gallery at Watermark L.L.C. in North Stonington from now until the end of October. These paintings were first shown as part of the "Of the Earth" exhibit in 2003. I highly recommend taking the time to see them.

I composed the score Middle Distance to accompany the exhibit in 2003, and I am honored that Carol will be featuring the score again in the current showing.

Details of the show are available at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/calendar.html

With Middle Distance playing all month in North Stonington, and three shows lined up with Fiesta Brava, October is shaping up to be a good month.

Did I say THREE Fiesta Brava shows? I did indeed. We have been asked to play the 10 on the 10th show at The Elevens on -- you guessed it -- October 10, with -- right again -- TEN bands (well, including us). Details at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/calendar.html

Hope to see you sometime in October. As Kerouac wrote, "I was going home in October. Everybody goes home in October."

Great news! Everyone really came through for Fiesta Brava, and we have are on the ballot for the Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam this year, in two categories: Best New Band and Best Pop Band. If you can take a moment and vote for us in these categories, we'd appreciate it. Just click here: http://www.valleyadvocate.com/bandslam/index.cfm?pid=44

We've also got some more shows lined up, so if you can make it out to see us, we'd love to see you there:

Saturday, October 4
The Monkey Bar
w/ The Doghouse Roses
30 Main Street, Winooski, VT
$5.00

Saturday October 25
The Black Moon
w/ 2 other bands TBA
Route 202, Belchertown, MA
$5.00

And remember our debut CD is now for sale, and easy to pick up online.

To buy it at CD Baby, click here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/fiestabrava

You can also buy it at iTunes, Amazon.com, emusic, etc. Just search for Fiesta Brava!

Thanks!

Cheers,
Jeff

Breaking news: my band Fiesta Brava is playing THIS Friday 8/22 at The Elevens in Northampton! We're playing with Flock and Field, Running with Karma, and Swillmerchants. We're looking forward to shaking off the cobwebs from our brief sabbatical, and it should be a great show! Details:

Friday, August 22nd, 2008
The Elevens
10:00 PM
140 Pleasant St
Northampton MA 01301
USA
(413) 586-9155
http://www.elevensmusic.com/
Price: $5.00

Second, I finally uploaded another track here at http://mystics-anonymous.com/music.html -- it's called Window Girl. Hope you like it!

Cheers,
Jeff

If you have a moment, please add your voice and nominate Fiesta Brava for Best New Band in the Valley Advocate's Grand Band Slam.

Vote here:
http://www.valleyadvocate.com/nomi/index.cfm?pid=43

The more people who nominate us, the better chance we have of being on the ballot and (gasp) maybe even winning. We're only four months old, so we're just happy to be included on the list, but stranger things have happened...

Fiesta Brava celebrated the release of our debut CD, Ship to Shore, recently at The Elevens in Northampton. For those of you who made it out, thanks so much! We had a blast. It was also a pleasure to share the stage with two other bands that we admire from the area -- School for the Dead and The Novels.

If you weren't able to make it to the show, the CD is now available online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/fiestabrava -- and remember, you can preview the whole thing on the Fiesta Brava page at http://www.myspace.com/fiestabravamusic.

We also found out this week that we've been nominated in two categories for this year's Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam -- I believe the two categories are "Best New Band" and "Best Pop Band," but I can't say for sure. Once ballots are available, you'll be hearing from me again, I'm sure. If you vote for us, we promise real change.

I know, I know -- news regarding Mystics Anonymous is pretty thin these days. A few things are in the works for the future, though -- first, I am hoping to have some new tracks uploaded on the web site (http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html) in August; and second, Middle Distance will be entering its second printing soon (http://cdbaby.com/cd/mysticsanonymous2). I believe there's only one hardcopy left in the world, but you can always get a digital download copy from iTunes and the like.

Finally, I want to hip you to a few upcoming Northampton shows that are well worth checking out. I'm sure there are more than these two, but these are the two that I'm aware of and excited about. First, Haunt's CD Release Party 9/13 at Pearl St (http://www.myspace.com/hauntmusic) -- I had the privilege of seeing the newest Haunt lineup playing the new material at the Valley WORM Fest, and I was left speechless. Needless to say, I will be there on 9/13.

Second, Joan as Police Woman at the Iron Horse on 9/23 (http://www.joanaspolicewoman.com/). Joan and I attended high school together, and more importantly, attended Norwalk's famous Anthrax club together in those heady underground days. I still remember her smirking at me as I tried to get a good-quality recording of the Circle Jerks playing live. Joan's solo material is mesmerizing and beautiful, and if you're not already held in its sway, you soon will be.

And that's it for me. Signing off for now.

Cheers,
Jeff

My band Fiesta Brava has been hard at work finishing up our debut EP,
and we are very pleased to announce our CD Release Party!!!

Our friends School For the Dead and The Novels have agreed to play
with us, so it will be three great bands at The Elevens in Northampton on Friday July 18. We will of course have our CDs for sale, and maybe even t-shirts too!

We are very proud of what we've accomplished in the four short months we've been together, and we hope you will come celebrate with us!

Cheers,
Jeff

Details:

Fiesta Brava CD Release Party!
with special guests
School For the Dead and The Novels
Friday, July 18th, 2008 10:00 PM
The Elevens
140 Pleasant St
Northampton MA 01060
(413) 586-9155
Price: $5.00

It's been a whirlwind since I joined Fiesta Brava a little over a month ago. Three fun shows, and a bunch of writing and recording for the first EP. Thank you to all of those who have come out to support the new band. We're having a lot of fun, and it's great hanging out with all of you.

The latest news is that we've been asked to play the Valley Worm Fest this month, and we get to play with a bunch of bands we admire. We're very thrilled, flattered, and proud to be a part of this event, which benefits The Flywheel.

We'll be playing the final night of the festival, Saturday, going on about 9:00 PM for a 20-minute set. Whole thing starts around 8:00 that night, and there is a great lineup of bands, so I highly recommend getting there in time to see everyone. Check out details at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/calendar.html

Cheers,
Jeff

I am happy to announce that I have joined a brand new band, Fiesta Brava! You can hear some of our material on the FB MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/fiestabravamusic. I am really excited about this project, and once you hear these songs, I'm sure you'll see why.

We have our live debut scheduled this coming Friday, April 4th, at The Elevens in support of School for the Dead and The Aloha Steamtrain! Show starts at 10:00 pm, and we go on first! Come on out to see us and two of the best bands in the area for the Steamtrain's annual St. Patriot's Day extravaganza. We're honored to be a part of it, and we hope you'll join us ... see you there! Details:

Fiesta Brava, School for the Dead, The Aloha Steamtrain
The Elevens
140 Pleasant Street, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Friday April 4, 10:00 pm
$5, 21+

Cheers,
Jeff

In my part of the world, snow is beginning to melt, and the sun is beginning to shine. This, as always, is a cause for celebration ...

Fittingly, in accordance with Spring and new beginnings, three new songs are now available here on the website at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html. Megan G. is the most popular track from the first Mystics Anonymous CD--I don't know why, but people download this one off iTunes and other sites quite a bit. I figured I should offer it here for those of you who don't bow down to the gods of the iPod. And check out the tasty saxophone licks from Mr. Alec Haavik! The Other Side offered here is the demo version, originally available on the EP The Brutality of Beauty, now out of print. A more fleshed-out version of this song is available on the Winsted in the Space Room CD. And Uncle Beanbag is a website-only exclusive -- a brief little instrumental created by me and talented guitarist Peter Sikoski (aka Cranick) whilst messing about in the studio...

Sadly, new beginnings often come in tandem with endings, and it is with some sadness that I announce my decision to leave Social X-Ray. I had a great time playing with those guys, and I wish them all the best as they gear up to record their debut CD.

Cheers,
Jeff

I've uploaded a new Mystics Anonymous song this month, called "Falling Over" -- listen to it at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html

Social X-Ray has our next show coming up this Saturday 2/23 at The Elevens in Northampton, along with The Brass and The True Jacqueline. Music starts at 10:00 pm. Come on out and see us! It's a great venue, and we plan on debuting some new songs! Hope to see you there:

The Elevens
140 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-9155
21+
$5 cover

First off, if you don't already know, my band Social X-Ray has our first show coming up this Thursday 1/24 at the Sierra Grille in Northampton, along with The Caroline Know and Tal Vez. Music starts at 10:00 pm. Come on out and see us, it should be great fun! It's a great venue, and we've cooked up a great setlist to introduce you to our sound.

Sierra Grille
41 Strong, Northampton, MA, 01060
413-584-1150
$2 for three bands, ages 21+

I've also uploaded a new Mystics Anonymous song for you to enjoy this month, called "(I Want To Be A) Mathematical Rarity" -- listen to it at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html

And remember to check in on the myspace pages to hear new music regularly at http://www.myspace.com/mysticsanonymous and http://www.myspace.com/socialxray

Take care and keep warm,
Jeff

Happy Holidays from Mystics Anonymous!

All this week, you can download songs for free here on the Mystics
Anonymous website. Think of it as our gift to you. Just go to
http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html and download away!
Currently, there are seven songs available, and we're hoping to put up a
few more as the week goes on (between all the eggnog and
snowman-building).

Also, remember to check out the Mystics Anonymous myspace page for
updates at http://www.myspace.com/mysticsanonymous

We also finally put up a myspace page for Social X-Ray, the new band
featuring Jeff Steblea on bass and vocals, John Jacobsen on guitar,
Dan Reigner on lead vocal, and Brian Izzo on drums. Check it out at
http://www.myspace.com/socialxray and become one of our friends! Who knows where a friendship might lead? Be sure to check the site
regularly, because we are planning on playing shows soon, and putting
out our first CD this spring!

In closing, please enjoy your holiday season and spread a little joy
in this crazy world of ours, and we'll do the same. Cheers!

Well, if you don't toot it, who will? Seriously, there are some recent accomplishments for Mystics Anonymous to be proud of and thankful for... The first Mystics Anonymous CD has been named one of the top-selling college rock albums on CD Baby, http://cdbaby.com/cd/mysticsanonymous! Very cool.

Also, Middle Distance has been listed as one of the most downloaded albums on http://www.emusic.com. Thanks to everyone who helped make these things happen!

Cheers,
Jeff

You are very full from Thanksgiving and now you need some good music to digest to...

Three new songs are now available here on the website at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html. Vivian Line is a track from the first Mystics Anonymous CD that has garnered such disparate comparisons as They Might Be Giants and Pink Floyd -- bet you don't hear that one often. Imperfections is a track from the Winsted in the Space Room CD -- a sort of folk song on sea legs, as it were. And Toot Suite is a website-only exclusive -- brand new material slated for release in some form on the next CD... maybe... perhaps... we'll see...

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Jeff

Happy Halloween! In honor of the holiday, I've posted a creepy little number for you to listen to and/or download at http://www.mystics-anonymous.com/music.html

In Mystics news, the Gondwanaland studio is going through some updating, after which I am hoping to get back to some of the material for the next CD. Winsted in the Space Room is also about to go into its second pressing, which is cool.

In other news, my band Social X-Ray has welcomed drummer Brian Izzo into the fold. We have begun rehearsals and are in the midst of writing and recording material for our debut CD. Remember you can hear previews of three songs on the Social X-Ray website at www.socialxray.com.

I would also like to take a moment to recommend people check out Joan as Police Woman. Joan is a great talent, and her CD Real Life is well worth picking up. Check her out at http://www.joanaspolicewoman.com/

More news and more new music is on its way...be sure to check the site regularly, and if you haven't already, sign up for the email list so you'll be notified of any major news or changes to the site.

And as always, thanks for supporting independent music.

Cheers,
Jeff

There's a bunch of new music for you to hear this month. First off, there are two new songs here on the Mystics Anonymous website: one is a track from the Winsted in the Space Room CD called No Limit. The other is an exclusive website-only song, called Beggar Likeness. Just click on the Songs link to the right to hear them.

In addition, my band Social X-Ray is busy recording material for our first CD and auditioning drummers. You can hear rough mixes of three songs on our website socialxray.com (there's a link on my Links page here). If you are a drummer, or know somebody who might be interested, just click on the Contact link to the right to get in touch with me.

Cheers,
Jeff