The Mystery Lights came to be 15 years ago when L.A Solano and Mike Brandon met and formed the group at the end of their middle school era. The band broke up and got back together multiple times as members left for college and other life adventures. It wasn’t until Solano and Brandon moved to New York together seven years ago that the band started to record their music and signed with a record label. It was also in New York that The Mystery Lights locked in their current lineup, with bassist Alex Amini and drummer Zach Butler.
The four-piece released their first album this past June with Wick Records (a subsidiary of Daptone). The Mystery Lights actually toured on the self-titled album a couple of times before laying down the tracks with their label and have continued to tour since its release. The boys will be playing throughout the U.S until early December, when they will then head to Europe. Their U.S tour will include two special shows of note at The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, where Solano and Brandon frequently played during the band’s early years.
The Mystery Lights perform with a whole lotta heart. Lead singer Mike Brandon was truly impressive. I have never seen someone play guitar and sing while jumping three feet in the air over and over and over again. Who knew such an incredible range of motion could be contained in the smallest of spaces? After seeing one of their live shows, it’s clear how the album came to be. And although the 11-track self-titled work truly captures the band’s authentic sound, this is one act that is truly meant to be heard live.
The Fat Angel Sings 