The Misters

Photo by, Sara Laufer

Meet The Misters

The Misters are my new swift soulful electro-pop obsession. True to their name The Misters are a group of distinguished gentlemen making music in NYC. Their latest release “The Misters TO GO” is a delightful short collection of infectious hooks and tight high hat techniques. Get to know the band as we talk about Karaoke, their origin story, and their hopes for the music industry post-COVID-19.

“PRIME TIME GOSSIP ” A fill in the blank with The Misters

I love to BANG video games. I can play them day and CAT! My mom and DOG are not too happy with my CARESSING so much time in front of the television KITTY. Although Dad believes that these MOIST games help children develop hand-TEETH coordination and improve their learning KANYE WEST, he also seems to think they have FUGLY side effects on one's SOLARPLEXIS. Both of my CHASTITY BELTS think this is due to a CUTE use of violence in the majority of the CUBS. Finally, we all arrived at a SERENDIPITOUS compromise: After dinner I can play 3.hours of video games, provided I help clear the PUPPY and wash the JUNTO BIKES.

Would You Rather

have a perfect photographic memory, or be able to see up to one day into the future?

Michael: Photographic memory, duh. I don’t need to know if that man on Grindr is going to respond to me tomorrow.

Some questions with The Misters

What was the point of inspiration for your latest release, I Don’t Miss It?

Michael: This was a B-Side from our latest EP, The Misters TO GO, that I wrote in 30 minutes with Jim in his basement. I had just gone through my first break up so the feelings were fresh and the words just came out of my mouth. We thought about adding some more production to it, but wound up focusing on other tracks instead and forgetting about it. When we saw that Bandcamp was waiving their fees in June, we figured this would be the perfect way to honor Pride, raise money for the Marsha P. Johnson Institute (which you can learn more here!), and give something special to our fans that tied into the EP.

What is your go-to Karaoke song?

Jim: Cliffs of Dover – Eric Johnson (Guitar Hero – I don’t sing)

Todd: Bat Out Of Hell – Meatloaf

Brent: Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now – The Smiths

Michael: Lucky – Britney Spears

How did the Misters come to be?

Michael: I was selling gourmet edibles (seasonal type s**t) in college to some friends, one of which knew Brent. At the time, I was looking for a bass player and literally the first day I started looking, this friend told me his friend (Brent) loved our music and was playing along to it on his bass the night prior. I met with him, played some music and sealed the deal. Jim, Todd, and I studied music business at NYU and met through the program.

What are your hopes for the music scene in New York after the pandemic?

Full band: We hope that as many venues can stay open through this as possible and get back on their feet when things are given the green light. That being said, we think this time has really forced artists to think outside of the box. We are excited to see how that translates to live shows. More experiential, audience-involved live music would be amazing. We still really want to do a murder mystery themed show, but the details are far from ironed out haha.

How has your experience as a band in New York shaped your current sound?

Todd: We know what not to do.

Jim: The high level of talent forces you to get better and not be complacent. This has translated into the way we produce and record. There’s so many amazing studios and talented people to work with that we’ve really taken advantage of.

How have you been navigating the current climate while staying creatively fulfilled?

Michael: Honestly, it’s been super difficult. At the beginning of quarantine, Todd and I did a weekly happy hour series where we invited different artists on IG Live for 10 minutes to share a drink and play a game. We were also doing more livestreams at the time. But now this many months later, it would be false to say we’ve been creatively fulfilled. We’ve booked a writing trip for September, and we’re ready to be back in the same room (safely) and starting writing more. Even talking plans has really made us feel more excited again.

What is the best encounter you have ever had with a fan?

Michael: We threw a goodbye party at Brent’s old apartment in the West Village to celebrate the release of “Melt” and him moving out of this place that had been so central to the band for 2 years. We invited our closest friends and fans, made a ton of Bohemian rum punch, built a photo booth, and passed a disposable around throughout the night. By the end, there were all these random people that had come off the street into the apartment, but because it was so crowded, no one knew if they were friends with everyone so we just let them stay. It was very nostalgic and was one of those timeless New York nights. I also drunkenly left my first acoustic guitar in an uber that night and never got it back.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Our new EP, The Misters TO GO, is out now wherever you listen to music. Whenever all of this is said and done, we are going to throw a giant party in true Misters fashion and all of y’all are invited. Also, register the f**k to vote.