Brisbane-based alt-rock band The Mistaeks are readying themselves to perform their new EP, ‘Interrobang’, with a couple of local shows.
“We want it to be an energetic and fun listen,” describes The Mistaeks frontwoman, Markella Vergotis, about the group’s second EP. “For example, a track like ‘Astronauts’, it lets you explore, it takes you on a journey of The Mistaeks, because it's basically a dream. It's about gazing out of a rocketship or a starship window, watching earth fade [away], which is something that not all of us, unfortunately, get to experience in life but we can always dream about it.”
The band's hometown has been quite receptive to the group’s eclectic musical style. "It's still early days. We started with the band that we're currently with about a year ago now, and we've been playing shows around Brisbane. We've been very lucky to play to very well received crowds at some very good music venues — we've played at The Zoo, we played at the Tribal Theatre, we played a music festival there; we're very lucky in that we've had a very good response to both ‘Noob’ [the group’s previous EP] and the release of our our newest single, 'Comprehensive Lisp'."
Markella touts 'Interrobang' as an enhanced evolution of the band's older material. “In terms of the difference in style, we've always been accused of being unpredictable stylistically, but I guess the album is no different really. I guess it probably embraces more of a style that makes up our sound. Essentially I guess ‘Interrobang’ is a mixed bag but it's also quite focused in the way that the various themes are pieced together. I feel like we've definitely progressed in terms that it fuses a lot of the sounds that we want to progress towards.”
'Interrobang' was produced entirely DIY, which provided unforeseen advantages for the band, as well as new challenges. “I guess it gives us a little bit more flexibility to be able to record some impromptu stuff. During the early stages when we're writing riffs and writing our music we sort of share the roles of guitar and drums, and we may not exactly have a vocal line to start with. Generally we start with the riffs and the drums on the track. And then we have the freedom to be able to record it ourselves ... and experiment really; it allows us to experiment a bit more, and be very patient as well — we never want to rush something like this and not be happy with it. So I think we're extremely happy with the way it's turned out, because we've taken our time and put a lot of effort into this one.”
Before she was a member of The Mistaeks, Markella cut her musical teeth performing in a band with her father and brother. “I've learnt a lot of my stage presence [from my old band], because my dad is an extremely talented musician, but he's very quirky, and he's not afraid to tell some lame jokes on stage. The Mistaeks definitely reflect that, I mean we're not afraid to do some silly antics on stage and tell some lame dad jokes. I remember my brother and I used to start songs quickly before my dad could get to the terrible punch line. I think my musical upbringing with my family has definitely influenced the music that I make today.”
