My Music Episode 192 - The Mystery Plan

Graham Coath talks to North Carolina indie pop outfit The Mystery Plan. They will talk about Their new album 'Haunted Organic Machines', released via American boutique label 10mm Omega Recordings. Their eighth full-length album and 13th major release to date, the band explores new, but familiar territory from spacey dance grooves to spooky, moody dream pop and then some. This record finds the group in new and very strange soundscapes. While the last few records were co-produced and mixed by the legendary John Fryer (4AD, This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, Love & Rockets), this one is produced by Jason Herring and Rob Tavaglione exclusively. It's a little louder, while being equally textured and strangely arranged. "This is an emotional album. The songs from this record were born during the pandemic, either during lockdown or as we were coming back into a somewhat more normal life. There is no denying the emotional tug between longing for companionship and the celebration of togetherness. Some songs are about sorrow while others are of the love of life. 'Big Bliss', the opener, is about both of those things together. This album has sadness and joy, uneasiness and comfort, depending on the song. The closing song, 'Holding My Interest' actually did not originate during the pandemic, but was reworked during the downtime and transformed into a love song. Jason wanted to end the album on a sweet note and leave our listeners with a feeling of hope and warmth," explains Amy Herring. "Our albums have always offered a variety of musical styles and a journey of feelings and, of course, this one does that as well. We do not believe in playing to one style of music over and over again. Our band leader Jason is a DJ by trade and has been making mixed tapes since he was a child. He has always loved taking his listeners on a journey, giving the audience a variety of lovely tunes to grace their ears keeping them from ever being bored… That is exactly what he’s doing here, only we’re making the music ourselves."