tmu to play abslution fest in tampa florida - 2 april 2024

We’re playing this year’s Absolution Fest down in Tampa this October! Very chuffed to play in such a stacked lineup with such acts like House of Harm, Zanias, Kite and of course, the headliners and good friends in Beborn Beton making their way over from Deutschland! Tickets go on sale Friday, the 5th of April. Come!

Absolution Fest Tickets

famous last words (of a generation) out 10 november - 27 october 2023

It's been a while...

But we're here to let you know that the follow-up to The Lonely Ones will see the light of day on Friday, the 10th of November! Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) is the second single to be lifted from our latest record Everyone Deserves A Stage and it's available now to pre-save by clicking the link below and it comes with a couple of remixes by dear friends of ours so we hope you enjoy it!

1. Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) (Single Edit)
2. Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) (GHOST COP Remix)
3. Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) (halovox Remix)

Pre-save here.

THE BACKLASH COMES. THE MADURO REMIX OUT NOW - 1 AUGUST 2023

Labelmate Maduro reworked The Backlash Comes taken from the new record Everyone Deserves A Stage and it’s out now via all the usual digital streaming outlets.

NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER - 26 APRIL 2023

The new album Everyone Deserves A Stage is now available for pre-order via the Re:Mission Entertainment. The album will be available in both digital and physical formats. The physical edition will be a limited edition digipak and include three bonus tracks: The two previous singles Peter and Digital and a CD exclusive track called Optimistic.

THE LONELY ONES OUT NOW AND A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - 14 APRIL 2023

O happy day!

This is it! Our new single The Lonely Ones is out and about in the digital world! Now that it's here, we can officially let the cat out of the proverbial bag and announce that it is indeed the first single to be taken from our new full-length album called Everyone Deserves A Stage which will be released on the 12th of May on Re:Mission Entertainment. It will be available in both physical and digital format with the CD version including three bonus tracks. Peep the tracklisting below...

A Spanner In The Works
The Backlash Comes
All The Things Long Said And Heard
The Lonely Ones
Famous Last Words (Of A Generation)
Slight Case Of Overthinking
Eventually All Men Break
The One That Got Away
A Very Shady Character
In A Darkened Room
Peter *
Digital *
Optimistic *

* - CD bonus track

THE LONELY ONES. THE NEW SINGLE OUT 14 APRIL 2023

…and we’re back! We come with news of a new record! It will be out in May but in the meantime, a new single called The Lonely Ones will be out next week which includes a remix by synthpop legends Beborn Beton. The two track sinle is available to pre-save on Spotify via the link in the banner above and for pre-order via the Re:Mission Entertainment Bandcamp. Hear The Lonely Ones first as it will be premiered during Vlad’s in-studio appearance on the Transmisson NJ radio show on WFDU.FM HD2 at 8PM on Tuesday the 11th.

Re:Mission Entertainment Bandcamp

DIGITAL OUT NOW - 16 December 2022

It’s out and about! Our brand new single and first under the Re:Mission Entertainment umbrella is now available for streaming/purchase. Click the link above and grab it now from your favourite digital retail outlet.

DIGITAL. THE NEW SINGLE OUT 16 DECEMBER 2022

A new single called Digital is coming! It’s out next Friday the 16th via Re:Mission Entertainment but you can pre-save it now just by clicking the wee little link above. Vlad will be the live studio guest on the 20th of Decemmber on the Transmission NJ radio show with Freddy Hernandez at 8pm to talk about the band and the new music so tune in!

THE MYSTIC UNDERGROUND JOIN RE:MISSION ENTERTAINMENT - 6 December 2022

Wonderful news! We have joined up in a partnership with the esteemed label Re:Mission Entertainment, home to Dread Risks, Sidewalks and Skeletons, Bara Hari and Mentallo and the Fixer! More news to come. In the meantime, here’s the release:

We're excited to announce that The Mystic Underground has joined the Re:Mission Entertainment roster.

"Moody. Driving. Buoyant. Synth and sass. Brooklyn Synthpop outfit The Mystic Underground return to prove that electronic music can be thought-provoking, immensely compelling and seductively danceable thus creating an intoxicating sound.

Inheriting a love of classic alternative bands such as The Smiths, David Bowie and New Order fused with a love of Britpop, dance and industrial, The Mystic Underground are quite the eclectic duo comprised of singer/songwriter Vladimir Valette and keyboardist/producer Benedetto Socci. Finding their way in the early days of the last decade, the band would soon forge their identity in the international Synthpop community at large. The duo’s last album, 2020’s “Wrapped In Riddles” was released to great acclaim from several prominent Synthpop blogs like Post-Punk .com, Side-Line Magazine and Synthpop Fanatic whilst also receiving substantial play on internet and college radio.

A new year in 2023 brings new perspectives, new hopes, new beginnings. It also will bring a new record. As yet untitled, the new full-length will continue the band’s mission to fill the dancefloor, storm the charts, move the feet and touch the heart."

THE KOLOUR KULT REMIXED - 14 OCTOBER 2022

Our brothers in arms, The Kolour Kult had just reissued their self-titled debut EP in celebration of its ten year anniversary and they graciously asked us to remix a track and so we did! Check out our remix of the track Soft Goodbye at The Kolour Kult’s Bandcamp or your favourite digital retailer now!

The Kolour Kult at Bandcamp

INTERVIEW WITH RECORDING ARTISTS GUILD - 11 JULY 2022

Check out an interview Vlad just had with the wonderful at the Recording Artists Guild!

RAG: Okay so let's start with "Peter". This single has a killer retro-pop feel to it! Where did this track come from?

Vladimir Valette: First of all, thank you very much! You are too kind! The song essentially came from a bit of inspiration Ben (Socci, keyboards/production) had in wanting to write a bit of a synthwave tune akin to something from the 'Drive' motion picture soundtrack. When he presented it, I was immediately taken by the sort of warm, dreamy and ethereal vibe and wanted to write something that would match that energy. I'd like to think it worked out in the end!

RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

VV: It's probably the most cliche and banal response to this question but our influences are pretty varied. We're obviously very much into dance music and generally anything in the electronic realm but Ben grew up as a bit of a metalhead in addition to being into things like Rush and Information Society. I was always into the post-punk and new wave scenes along with rap and britpop. You could say for me that if it came out of England, I very likely had my head nodding to it in some capacity.

RAG: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?

VV: I'd say it all began a very long time in a land far away when I had older cousins who were very much into music. They had noticed my curiosity at the music they were playing out of their room and allowed me to tag along and listen. I was simply taken aback at the wonderful sounds which then led me to want to learn more. I would often spend many an afternoon lying on the carpet watching music video shows on the television seeing these larger than life personalities on screen doing these fantastical things and being cooler than anything I could possibly imagine at the time being so small. I think the seeds were sown in those days that being a star was something I had to be. Almost as if it were something I was destined to see become reality.

RAG: What's next for you as an artist?

VV: Next up is likely another single or two to whet people's appetites whilst we complete work on our new record that we hope to have out sometime in the first quarter of 2023. One thing we hang our collective hats on is being diverse sonically and pushing ourselves to do things we may find uncomfortable but yet retaining the fundamental elements that make us who we are which is ultimately being songwriters above all else. The tune is the most important thing always. Otherwise, it's just a waste of the listener's time and they're not giving you a lot if the song is a dud.

RAG: What inspires you to write a song?

VV: That's a good question to which I don't always have a great answer because I am often seemingly immersed in a constant state of writer's block. Haha. In all seriousness though, when that flicker of hope strikes, it's usually due to something notable i hear in the music or if it's something I'm writing, it could be something as a phrase that strikes a chord in a particular moment and I may construct a chorus around that. If I'm successful, I weave something around that phrase to make the whole lyric more cohesive. Oftentimes when I'm stuck, I find that it's always beneficial to go back to the basics. Some time away to listen to the artists that set me on my path just to remind myself of little nuances that can be heard in the music or a clever turn of a phrase, anything that can help set my mind back on the path of writing the next great pop tune.

RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?

VV: Usually when I'm not working on music. I'm often listening to a ton of it along with my usual favourite podcasts. I'm a bit of a hardcore sports fanatic so I try to games as often as I can. I'm also a lover of literature, film, going out to parties and being a gym rat. I try to keep myself pretty busy and active. Idle hands and all that..

RAG: Who are you listening to right now?

VV: At this very moment I am on a bit of a Cult kick. I've always been a fan of Ian Astbury's voice and the energy provided by Billy Duff's guitar work is always a welcome listen. I'm pretty old school with how I consume my music in that I actually load music onto my phone instead of using things like Spotify. Besides the Cult, I've been listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar, Spector, Boy Harsher and Linea Aspera.

RAG: Are you doing live performances?

VV: Absolutely! We thrive on stage and very much are looking to book shows surrounding the release of the next record. Nothing is better than sharing one's work with a live audience and the exhilaration that comes with the energy they give back to you. If you want us to play in your town, please do get in touch. Don't be shy!

RAG: This single seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming artists out there?

VV: The best and simplest piece of advice I can offer is to literally write, write and keep writing. Write about your favourite cat, the guy or girl who broke your heart, anything. The trick is keep doing it until you find your voice. Once you do, it's yours and yours alone. Like I mentioned earlier, it's also never a bad idea to go back and listen to the masters just to pick up tips on writing melodies that stick to your bones. Once you get the hang of it, that's when your confidence begins to grow and you get a better idea of how it all works. Don't be afraid to write songs that affect people whilst making them shuffle their feet. It's good for the soul.

RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?

VV: I would like to thank every single person who's taken time out of their day to give us a listen It's always appreciated, and we hope that if Peter was your introduction, you will continue to follow us as we bring you new tunes to groove to in the very near future. Thank you again!

Peter - 1 june 2022

Friends, there is a new single to announce. Introducing Peter! Out this Friday, the 3rd of June at digital retailers and it will include a remix by The Kolour Kult. The video, directed by William Murray, is up and available to view on Youtube or if you prefer, it’s available right here in the video sectioon.

OFTS FESTIVAL 2022 CANCELLED - 21 MARCH 2022

Sadly, due to concerns over the Omicron surge over the winter and the logisitical pitfalls that came with it. The Out From The Shadows Festival that was scheduled to begin net weekend will no longer be taking place. Here’s to making an appearance in 2023!

MORE OFTS FESTIVAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED - 12 NOVEMBER 2021

To say we’re excited is most definitely an understatement. Next Spring, we’ll be sharing the stage with a bunch of delightful bands in the Pacific Northwest for the Out From The Shadows Festival. More details to come!

bushwick boys, east village girls video out now - 6 august 2021

The new video for the third single to be lifted from Wrapped In Riddles is out now and available for your perusal on YouTube! Directed by long time collaborator William Murray, get up close and personal as we take on the town in ‘Bushwick Boys, East Village Girls’

THE MYSTIC UNDERGROUND TO PLAY OUT FROM THE SHADOWS FESTIVAL

We’re excited to announce that we have been asked to take part in next year’s Out From The Shadows Festival taking place next April 2022 in Portland, OR. Dates to be confirmed and more soon!

A CERTAIN CHEMISTRY VIDEO PREMIERE AT V13

The day has arrived and thanks to the lovely people at V13 for dropping the premiere of the new single A Certain Chemistry! Give it a look-see now!

the fixer on synthpop fanatic’s best of 2020 list - 9 december 2020

Many thanks go out to Chris Brandon of Synthpop Fanatic for making The Fixer entry number ninety-one on his best of the year singles list! Thank you, Chris!

jeremy bastard v. tmu - 1 december 2020

Famed NYC DJ/producer and lead guitarist for electro-shoegaze stalwarts Autodrone, Jeremy Bastard releases his new solo offering via Somewhere Cold Records on 22 January 2021. Included is a track entitled Scream Inside featuring the vocals of a certain singer… Check out the trailer including a snipper of Scream Inside here.

WRAPPED IN RIDDLES DEBUTS AT #10 ON NACC ELECTRONIC CHART - 1 December 2020

Thanks to Marco Rojas and his team at The Syndicate for their work! The new record hit the college radio Electronic chart at the #10 position!

wrapped in riddles hits college radio - 18 november 2020

We received quite the promising news today when we were told Wrapped In Riddles was the most added record in the NACC Electronic chart in its first week! Thanks so much to Marco Rojas and his team at The Syndicate for their hard work in helping us make a bit of a dent. Let’s keep it going!

Wrapped in riddles out now - 13 november 2020

Happy Friday the 13th, friends. Like the heading says, the new record is now available on CD and digital through your favourite retailer. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered and for all of the support along the way. It’s been heartwarming to say the least. Enjoy the record and let us know your faves!

first listen of wrapped in riddles now on side-line - 12 november 2020

The good people at the Belgian powerhouse dark dance music magazine Side-line are offering an exclusive first listen of our new record. Get your first glimpse before its official release tomorrow!

Wrapped In Riddles - Side-Line Magazine

‘the fixer’ on synthpop fanatic’s top 10 songs for the month of october - 1 november 2020

A heartfelt thank you to Chris of the esteemed electronic music blog Synthpop Fanatic for including The Fixer in his ten favourite songs of the month list! Thank you so much, Chris!

GRATITUDE THUS FAR - 24 OCTOBER 2020

Just wanted to take a moment to give a shout-out to a few of those wonderful djs, streamers and the like who've played our music to date. So many thanks go out to the likes of Renato Moyssén and the great people at Artefaktor Radio, Dave Cantrell of Songs from Under the Floorboard, DJ cypher of Dark Nation Radio, Heresy with Adz on MMH - The Home Of Rock Radio, DJ Dani Tamayo, Ulf Müller from the NOSW Podcast, DJ Pinknoise from Big Sonic Heaven, Darkness Calling, Alice Teeple from Post-Punk.com, Blair Scott of Synthentral, Electrozombies, Melissa Winters, Flatlines / Gothicpedia and MixIT Community Gothic EBM Industrial Postpunk, Other Voices, Ghost Wave Radio, Daemon Chadeau, Sinfonias Nocturnas! Another huge thanks also goes out to our man behind the scenes, Christian Bankes of Fade In PR

Meanwhile, here is a new song for everyone to check out and enjoy. It's the b-side to 'The Fixer' entitled 'The Girl Who Wanted Everything'. It's available on our Bandcamp page right now!

The Girl Who Wanted Everything

people have been talking - 17 october 2020

So far, so good in terms of feedback on the new single, ‘The Fixer’! We’re incredibly pleased and humbled that people out there are digging the new tune. Here is a sampling of what some have been saying…

Post-Punk.com

Synthpoplover.com

Synthpop Fanatic

Brutal Resonance

Black and Blue

the fixer is coming - 5 october 2020

At long last, some new music has arrived. We are proud to present our brand single entitled ‘The Fixer’. This is the lead track of our forthcoming record entitled ‘Wrapped In Riddles’. It’s a dark and dirty mid-tempo stomper written with the dimly lit dance-floor in mind. It’s available for purchase now at our Bandcamp along with a bonus track, a ‘B-Side’ called ‘The Girl Who Wanted Everything’. You can pre-order ‘Wrapped In Riddles’ via the link up at the very top of the page and you can purchase the ‘The Fixer’ single by clicking the image above.

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COROna - 5 april 2020

Welcome to our new site, friends. We come to you in the throes of the dreaded COVID-19 virus that has run rampant throughout the world and taken the lives of too many too soon and sent many more into economic despair. Here in the Big Apple, the amount of cases has steadily risen but we can take heart in knowing the indomitable spirit of humanity will win out in the end as we look after each other and help each other make it to the other side of this pandemic.

Meanwhile onto more frivolous thoughts, we are plugging away working on new material that we are very high on and it is our hope that you will fall heads over heels in love with them too. More to come soon!

Tramission over…

Carry on,

VV

LIFE…SET TO A DANCE BEAT