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- We’re very happy to have some time today with acclaimed rock and roll troubadours DownTown Mystic; greetings and salutations, gang! Before we dive down the Q&A musical rabbit hole, could you all say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
We’re rockin’ RJ! We are Robert Allen (Guitars & Vocals), Steve Holley (Drums) & Paul Page (Bass). Also, honorary members Max Weinberg (Drums) and Garry Tallent (Bass).
- Major congratulations on your freshly-minted new LP Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul which just premiered to much deserved fanfare! Robert, can you talk a little about what inspired one of the very best new albums of 2024?
Wow, thanks for that compliment! Believe it or not, I was in London having dinner at the original Hard Rock Café and was blown away by the RnR museum contained inside its walls. When I realized that once upon a time in the 1960s, giants were walking those streets and hanging out in the clubs, it really inspired me. You could run over any of the “stars” today and you wouldn’t know who they were. But back in 60s London? The Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, you name it, and you couldn’t help but runover someone who wasn’t famous. So when I got back home I decided I would create something that would give back to those artists and the music that inspired me. I wanted to make my contribution to RnR before it became a museum piece.
- Who did the producing honors on Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul and what did the collaboration process between band and producer look like in the studio while working on the new sounds?
This is my production but I’m always open to input from everyone in the studio. We always throw around ideas and do a lot of things on the spot in the moment. We only did a few takes on each track to keep the vibe fresh because these are not the kind of songs you need to overthink. The years of playing rock’n’roll by all of us makes the process very natural. Steve & Paul have been the backbone for Ian Hunter’s Rant Band for years and Max & Garry are the rhythm section for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, so there’s not much more to do than play. These guys are such great musicians that sometimes it’s all I can do to remember that I’m standing there playing with them.
- Speaking of sounds, the wall of sound heard on Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul is pure and blissful rock and roll, stripped down to its root form and piped like a clarion call from the vinyl in which it’s baked into; kudos! What sort of recording techniques were used on the new LP to achieve this deliciously retro vibe?
That’s so cool of you to pick up on that retro vibe because the tracks were all recorded on analog tape using a Studer 24-track analog machine. It’s classic recording! Also, there’s vintage guitars, amps, mics and a mountain of vintage outboard gear. We’re talking retro as retro gets! There was a definite effort to get a live sound on the tape and that’s responsible for most of what you’re hearing.
- In your humble opinion what differentiates Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul from the Distinguished Competition on the 2024 music scene?
I think you hit it on the head with the retro vibe. That’s what sets DownTown Mystic apart from the competition. We don’t sound like what you normally hear in today’s marketplace. We’re also trying to bring that RnR vibe back in the music, which is not the same as what is referred to as “Rock” today. It’s a subtle nuance but there’s big difference in the groove and feel that’s missing in most rock today. RnR has a rich tradition and feeling, with “feel” being the operative word. There’s a “feel” you have to play with to give the music a “feel” to the listener, who get their own “feel” from it. Ok, I’m diving off the deep end here. LOL
- Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul is released via Sha-La Music (The Orchard/Sony). What makes Sha-La the perfect home for DownTown Mystic and their indelible musical stylings?
Sha-La Music is my company and that has many benefits for me as an artist. I’ve always been an Independent—all indie all the time! I’ve been with The Orchard since it was an Independent, and then it was bought by Sony. So I guess I’m a major indie now.
Another benefit is I’m my own boss. If I’m not successful I have nobody to blame except myself. Also, I do what I want to do. DownTown Mystic is all about guitars and all the artists that have been released on the label are all about guitars, which is the main reason for the company’s logo being a guitar. 😊
- The music of DownTown Mystic has been described as “Vintage yet modern.” Would you agree with that assessment, or would you opt for another moniker?
Considering that I’m the one who coined the “vintage yet modern” moniker, I think I would agree with that assessment. Vintage is always cool like vintage clothing, guitars, cars, gear, etc., and modern because this is the only time that this music fits in. There are influences from the 60s, 70s & 80s in the songs, but they sound out of place with the music of those times. This is RnR 4 the 21st Century!
- In the wake of the release of the amazing new LP Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul, can fans look forward to catching DownTown Mystic on the touring/performing circuit in the coming weeks and months?
Thanks again for that RJ…we’re so glad you like the album! The pandemic caused some real problems with performing. Partly due to that, we are currently working on the next project and planning to release a new single before summer. Hopefully, we can get out there when the weather warms up.
- Who inspires you musically?
The Beatles have been the biggest influence but there are so many great artists and bands that have provided so much inspiration. I took a great deal from Buffalo Springfield. They showed me a certain kind of sophistication in taking RnR to the next level. There was a maturity there. Look at what sprang from that band—CSNY and Poco. Acoustic music, harmonies and great songwriting! The LA scene of the early 70s was started by those bands. I know that’s why I have a degree of CountyRock/Americana in my veins. I’m also inspired by the guys I play with. Look at Steve Holley and the career he’s had playing with such greats as Paul McCartney and Elton John, to name just a few! Besides artists like Ian Hunter, Paul Page played with one of the all time great rock’n’rollers—Dion. The man was on the same freezing bus that Buddy Holly decided to get off to fly out to the next tour stop. He even offered Dion a ticket on that doomed plane! Having these guys to play with in the studio is truly an inspiration, and I’m not saying that even if it is in their contracts! LOL
- At the end of the day what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to the foot-pounding new DownTown Mystic LP Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul?
I would like listeners to tune in to the vibe of the music and how it makes them feel. I would also hope to inspire younger artists like I was once inspired. I was inspired to start DownTown Mystic walking around London and thinking about the people whose music inspired me, walking around the same streets, like a parallel universe! There’s a reason why a generation grew up on and revered MUSIC!! It was the reason they got up every morning…just to listen to MUSIC!! Today everybody walks around listening to music on their phones, but we are not connected in the same way. Whoa, dial it back! lol
- Final – SILLY! – Question: Favorite rock and roll producer – Norman Petty, Sam Phillips or Jerry Wexler?
Not a silly question at all! You named 3 great ones. I want to say Sam Phillips, but he was more of an engineer—stick a mic in the room and press record. I’m probably more like Norman Petty because I like to play around adding to tracks after the fact. He had a financial interest in keeping Buddy Holly’s name and product out there, but he also kept Buddy’s name out there and made him into a legend. So what if he was adding guitars and vocals? I do that every time I’m in the studio. 😊
Before we go…do you know that Steve is distantly related to Buddy, whose name was really spelled HOLLEY like Steve’s?
When Sir Paul bought Buddy’s publishing (very cool), he had a Buddy Holly Day. Steve is there and meets Buddy’s widow Elena. She’s not too happy with Steve and when he asks her why, she says he’s (Steve) trying to cash in on Buddy’s name by using Steve Holly. Steve tells her he spells his name HOLLEY like Buddy’s family name. This is a different ball of wax for Elena! Her disposition towards Steve changes immediately! Steve tells her he has a load of relatives in a small town in Ireland all named HOLLEY. It’s a really old name and Elena tells Steve that Buddy’s family came from this small town in Ireland. Crazy, right? It’s amazing what you can learn from listening to Steve Holley. LOL
StreamRock‘n’Roll 4 The Soulhere.
