Mike Brandon is the explosive force behind one of NYC's best emerging rock outfits, The Mystery Lights. Distinguished by their viciously raw tone, it was clear upon first listen in my home that this band possessed something more powerful then the sonic capabilities of my speakers. Their energy and influence present an obvious obsession with the dusty 45s and blind or one eyed bluesmen that sparked the British Invasion and the boom of American garage rock. While the idea of capturing a bands "energy" is certainly an ambiguous venture, it's clear that the blood and sweat of The Mystery Lights is engrained in the tape. It wasn't surprising that almost any photo of the band playing live features Mike soaring high above the stage. 

1. The Half Beats - Should I
2. Jackie Moppins - Your Hurting Day Is Gonna Come
3. Kim Sun - The Man Who Must Leave
4. Robb London & Soul Unlimited - Gloria (Them cover)
5. Little Ann - Deep Shadows
6. The Answer - Why You Smile
7. Oncomers - You Let Me Down
8. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - I Won't Hurt You
9. Selda Bagcan - Mapushanelere Güneş Dogmuyor
10. Gandalf - Golden Earrings

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Photo by Seth Applebaum

The Mystery Lights

The last time we caught up with Sacha, we were drinking whiskey out of paper cups at the Rolling Stone office in Manhattan. While we were half expecting to see disheveled, chain-smoking writers hammering away on typewriters next to empty bottles of scotch, it turns out that one of the worlds largest music publications actually has a quite team of incredibly hard working employees pulling the strings. After seeing the thousands of puzzle pieces that would eventually become the next Rolling Stone issue, it's hard to imagine that Sacha's duties as deputy photo editor allow him to simultaneously keep his lens fixated on the pulse of the east coast's most exciting music scene. Based in NYC, Sacha's photos depict his vigilant presence at shows big and small, along with an underlying love for rock and roll beyond any form of extrinsic payment. His photos have ultimately become a catalog of the sweaty underground happenings in the streets that surround him. This is not work.

1. The Yin Yangs - Shooting
2. Fat White Family - Whitest Boy On The Beach
3. The Moonlandingz - Man In Me Lyfe
4. Lodro - Snake Song
5. Heaters - Master Splinter
6. Savants - Shake Pendulum Shake
7. King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Cellophane
8. Future Punx - Any Other Way
9. The Mystery Lights - Too Many Girls
10. Grim River - Dead Horse
11. Parquet Courts - Ducking & Dodging

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Sacha Lecca

In the digital realm of music, the barriers of time and distance no longer limit one's source of inspiration. The dark corners of the internet offer a portal to cultures past, allowing the curious to absorb hundreds of years of creativity with minimal effort. It’s impossible to avoid influence—especially now—so for today’s musicians keen ears are as valuable as the very sounds they create. The Dandelion offers a perfect example of a band that’s cast a wide eye over an array of times and genres while being able to reciprocate their findings into a haunting collage of groovy tunes. While their songs themselves make a perfect soundtrack to a dance party centered around practicing witch craft, it’s apparent that this Australian outfit has much more going for them than dark magic.

1. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Sundown Sundown
2. Agincourt - When I Awoke
3. Greg Ashley - Fisher King
4. The Velvet Underground - Venus In Furs
5. Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind
6. Witch - Home Town
7. The Seeds - The Wind Blows Your Hair
8. Tyrannosaurus Rex - Once Upon The Seas Of Abyssinia
9. Goldfrapp - Cologne Cerrone Houdini
10. Mark Fry - The Witch

Photo by James Lloyd

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The Dandelion

In the summer of 2015, Charlie Megira played in a sweaty, beer soaked garage in Boone, NC at The Nude Ranch for Nude Fest 2015. While the electricity flowing through the spilled beer on the ground hindered some of the recordings, it seemed to energize most of those during his performance. These recordings don't do much justice to the musician Charlie was but they're a special memory for many of those who witnessed his performance that night. Rest in peace to one of our heroes and favorite noise makers. 

Song Titles:
1. Alligator Man
2. Heart And Soul
3. A Whole Lot Of Nothing But The Blues
4. Diary Of A Young Man
5. The Death Dance Of The Busty Hot Lifeguard
6. Turn Around


Charlie Megira (Guitar, Vocals)
Dead Girl (Bass)
Lance Wille (Drums)
Recorded by Oakley Munson

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