#13 Mystery Jets (interview)

From: United Kingdom
Genre: Fast, energetic Brit Pop
# of members- 5
Fun fact- Members Henry and Blaine are actually father and son. He must be the coolest dad ever.
track to hear- You Can't Fool Me Dennis
Link. www.myspace.com/mysteryjets

Let’s face it; it takes more than talent to make it in music these days. The Internet Generation has the attention span of a goldfish, with more than a million bands worldwide offering free music streams at the touch of a button. This serves as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the possibility for exposure is limitless. A band from the Western Hemisphere could build a solid fan base with a country from the East without ever touring or even getting an album distributed there. On the other, how does a band not only gain a following but also maintain it, when the open borders of music causes a brutal mess of artists vying for your attention?
The answer seems simple enough, but few bands are willing or conscientious enough to bring it back to the good ole’ grassroots motto: win one fan at a time. Luckily for this guy (located in Iowa, mind you), the Mystery Jets have perfected this philosophy and are ready to get to know you on a more personal level.
“I’d say our attitude to fans and the non-exclusivity between us and people who are into us, is really just a form of respect for the people who’ve allowed us to get to where we are,” William Rees (lead guitarist) told me via Myspace. This is heavily apparent through their Myspace page, where they have held video and Christmas card contests, ask for people’s opinion on their favorite books and offer enough ring tones and banners to help spread the Mystery Jets gospel. With enough content to keep one interested and coming back, it is no wonder that a band without a big radio song or a top ten hit has had their profile viewed nearly 200,000 times.
However, don’t think they are just glued to their laptops. It is more of a two-pronged attack, having estimated touring the width and length of England a dozen times in the last four years. “It’s a great change, suddenly having an audience and feeling like every song you write will be listened to and considered.”
One of their more prominent fans has taken notice. Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke named the band’s debut album, Making Dens, his favorite of 2006. So, just like the engine they are using to fuel their success, the possibilities are limitless. Having already toured Japan and planning a U.S. tour for early May, I would be less than floored if they eclipsed America’s favorite exports such as Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand and became our new favorite foreign fixation.