The Untitled Interview #205: Starring Ignacio Gonzalez (Mystic Braves)

Y'all know I love love love Mystic Braves. After all, they've got that sound. That sweet, sweet psych-pop-western-soundtrack kinda sound that's infectious beyond belief. It will come as a surprise to approximately none of you that their latest release will be featured prominently in my Best Of 2014 list.

But before we get there, let me stop putting the cart before this horse and give you a little something good to read. The Mystic Braves sound features plenty of wacky, delightful keyboard hijinks, and the man behind those gleeful flourishes, Ignacio Gonzalez, was kind enough to partake in some good ole q + a. Read on to see how he feels about former mortuaries, what LA bands currently float his boat, and how the Happy Birthday song figures in, and then be sure to listen to Mystic Braves all the livelong day. 

Fuzzy Logic: How the hell are you?
Ignacio Gonzalez: Doin Swell!

FL: What was the last song you listened to?
IG: "Tree Pie" by Orange Alabaster Mushroom!

FL: Playing music is:
IG: Necessary.

FL: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?
IG: It wasn't an album but one of those Time Life infomercials that used to come on the television selling a compilation that was all 60s music. They would show clips of live footage along with a few seconds of all these classic songs. Good Stuff.

FL: Beatles or Stones?
IG: The Bones.

FL: Top 5 albums (of now, of this week, of ever):
IG: Easter Everywhere by 13th Floor Elevators, The Seeds self titled, Behold and See by The Ultimate Spinach, A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles, Nico & Her Psychedelic Subconscious by Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel.

FL: Half-full or half-empty?
IG: Full. keep it positive.

FL: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
IG: While living in Los Angeles right now there are so many groups doing so many great things it's a bit difficult to say who is making the best music but some of our favorites are Drinking Flowers, anything Joel Jerome does, Wyatt Blair, Corners, The Shine Brothers, Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel, The Resonars, Levitation Room... All great bands, great people doing great things.

FL: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
IG: Every morning brings a different thought because every day is new.

FL: Little-known Mystic Braves fact?
IG: We all enjoy cheesy commercial radio country jams.

FL: The greatest record store in the world is:
IG: Lolipop Records.

FL: Your boots were made for:
IG: Dancin'!

FL: Shaken or stirred?
IG: Stirred.

FL: Favorite venue (either to play or to visit)?
IG: We love playing in our home town at The Echo and The Echoplex. On the road we dig the Chapel. The wooden ex-mortuary vibe resonates well with our vibe and sound.

FL: Best piece of advice you've ever been given?
IG: Life is a day to day reality and the present moment is THEE most important moment because it becomes the past and dictates the future. Dig.

FL: If you weren't in a band you'd be?
IG: Trying to be in a band.

FL: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
IG: Some of us are in a side project band called L'Aura Moire which is pretty much a 60s French Pop ye ye vibe and are the house band for a French night here in LA.

FL: Best song ever written?
IG: The Happy Birthday Song.





[posted 12.19.14]