The Curious Mystery

Move over, Steve Miller, there's a new band of space cowboys to contend with and they come from… Seattle? Actually, Shana Cleveland, she of the Cat Power drawl and spooky autoharp, is a transplanted daughter of Midwestern country blues musicians. The yang to her yin is Texas drifter Nicolas Gonzalez, who knows his way around both the astral blues guitar and homemade Theremin. They approach Americana like Exene Cervenka and John Doe gone walkabout in the Area 51 desert after a Cinco de Mayo piss up. Their debut for K has the wonderful slinky sloppiness that a few tequila shots will loosen from already good nights. Drummer Faustine B. Hudson's mallet and tom work keeps the rolls rolling as Cleveland and Gonzalez trade turns swaying over the microphone. Worldly, weary and more self-possessed than expected from first-timers, the Curious Mystery are on a psychedelic journey to brighten your Mazzy Starry nights.