Mystee has released her latest single, “Hard Candy”. Inspired by artists like Big Thief, Soccer Mommy, and Phoebe Bridgers, Mystee’s “hard candy” is a lively indie pop ode to yearning for an unrequited love with an injection of nostalgic grit. “‘Hard Candy’ is a song about longing for someone you know you can’t have, someone you shouldn’t be thinking about,” says Mystee. “This is a song for anyone who’s alone on Valentine’s Day, anyone who’s ever had an ex move on before them or been in love with someone who doesn’t love them back.”
The tracks feature songwriting, vocal performance, and rhythm guitar by Ilana Held, drums by Josh Carroll, bass and synths by Keaton Nalezny, and lead guitar, production, and mixing/mastering by Ryan Adams. Mystee previously released her first three tracks, ‘cold coffee,’ ‘hurricane Martin’ and ‘deep end’ and has more singles in the works.
Mystee began in 2021 as a solo project for seasoned frontwoman and songwriter, Ilana Held. Fresh off four years of performing across the UK with her band, Glass Jackets, Held found solace in stepping out on her own to create a new set of indie pop songs, free from the visa restrictions and long-distance relationship troubles that had plagued her in the past. Held began performing as Mystee as a way of creating a fresh start, a new world where her creative ideas could thrive.
Mystee’s first two singles, “hurricane martin” and “cold coffee,” were released in late 2021, just as Held left Boston for Colorado. Inspired by indie artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy, Held based this first release off her love for skating and her struggle with inner demons and realistic nightmares. Soon after, she put out her latest single, “deep end,” a tribute to resilience and risk-taking.
Over the past year, Held has turned Mystee from a fledgling solo project into a full band, with the help of fellow Fort Collins musicians Josh Carroll, Ryan Adams, and Keaton Nalezny. The new lineup brings an edgier, more powerful sound, reminiscent of Snail Mail or Great Grandpa. As a live act, Mystee is energetic enough to light up the room but heartfelt enough to leave audiences singing long after the show ends.
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