The incredible and breakthrough band "The Myst" release their stunning and timeless album " White Buffalo" on the 28 Sept 2009. Featuring the classic and melodic single " Too Much Beauty".

The Myst are an up and coming rock/pop British band who have a unique earthy, raw sound. The Myst work with the creative tension of trying to push music boundaries whilst still honouring the traditional art of writing solid, real songs, that speak to the human heart and inspire the soul.

They are a fusion of two families from Sussex - Wilson/Davies. The three main singers are Natasha, John and Peter Wilson (all siblings). They are joined by their Father on percussion Dave Wilson, who brings in different world instruments to their sound. The line up is completed by two twin brothers Mike and Simon Davies who make up the drum and bass rhythm section.

Pure Rock and Roll! Two families fuse to create guitar driven, inspirational songs, with catchy melodies, intense passionate vocals, off-planet soundscapes, world music touches and snake hip rhythms...this is tribal soul music.

The Music highlights so far for The Myst.

* Recording their debut album 'WHITE BUFFALO' with producer Matt Butler (Kate Melua, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Pink Floyd) at Rockfield studios in Wales.

*Headlining at Cafe De Paris, London. *Headlining support act for Mark Chadwick from the Levellers.

* Supporting Babyshambles at Dirtysouth in London.

* Headlining at The Carling Academy Islington.

* Playing at The Guilfest Festival on same billing as: Squeeze, Madness, The Magic numbers, Supergrass, Morcheeba and Jimmy Cliff.

* Headlining at their very own underground music festival in East Sussex - The Guestlingbury Festival.

The Myst band members:

Natasha Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, drums and percussion. Graduated with First class honours degree in Visual and Performing Arts. Natasha is also an Advanced level Energy field healer and psychic (Fate & Fortune magazine featured) On stage you can expect to see her banging her drum and singing at the same time. She loves it!

John Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion. Trained at Bimm music college. John believes his true education came form busking around Europe. On the stage you can expect to see John rising a few smile, eyebrows and temperatures.

Peter Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, electric guitar, synth, percussion. Trained at Bimm music college. Also a renowned Dj, coming second place in the 2007 Turnmills UK championships. On stage you can expect to see Peter live up to his sci-fi Shaman reputation channeling down other worldly soundscapes. Look out for the trade mark hat of mirrors.

Dave Wilson - Percussion, drums and numerous world music instruments. The shaman heart beat of the music and Father to Natasha, John and Peter Wilson. On stage you can expect to see him as a painter of music ,adding different colours from his jubilant paint pots surrounding him.

Mike Davies - Bass guitar, Songwriter, vocalist, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, saxophone. Trained at Bimm music college. Mike predominately plays Bass with the band and has created a special kind of rhythm section with his twin brother Simon on drums. On stage you can expect to see him rolling out bloodelicous bass lines with a groove to grab you in the sacral.

Simon Davies - Drums. Trained at Bimm music college. He can play any genre with ease and gives a very large ship like The Myst, the perfect anchor and groove. He also designed The Myst web site and has his own web site design business. On stage you can expect to see him wearing an owl suit and running with big dogs.

"The Myst will take you on an unforgettable journey into the unknown leaving you feeling that much more alive." The rooms.

The Myst - Rolling sounds disguised as wood and strings, electricity and mystical air dancing between earth and sky. United by our family bond we send our songs out into the magical void of friends and lovers, rebels and angels, moon clad dancers and secret cake eaters, fire freaks and warrior bell ringers. We believe in the impulse of now, that the mirror lies we are all so much more than our reflections, Calling the burning lights on the planet to walk in the shadows and let our true heart fire works bring us all home... We believe in the power of music. you and I to make a difference. The power of the rising sun. The mornings when you wake hungry for life or the mornings when you wake unsure, wake tired, wake happy, wake hoping, wake knowing, wake in love, wake in pain. wake regardless, wake up...

THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

1. What made you decide to start a career in music, tell us a bit about the band history to date ?

The Myst are an East Sussex based band. The Myst line up was originally just The Wilson's, who first formed in 2004. Three siblings John and Peter and their sister Natasha and their Dad, David Wilson. At the very early stages of their career their brother Alex and sister Claudine were also in the band.

You may think that as a musical family that they were playing musical instruments since their childhood, but they didn’t actually start too much later, as adults. They certainly grew up with listening to music as their Dad had a huge record collection, which was constantly playing in the house. He also collected every musical instrument under the sun, but most of them just sat and gathered dust, but the seeds were laid and today the family home is full of live music playing day and night!

It all began in 2002, Natasha was the first family member to start writing and performing music, originally a solo artist and with a London based band as well. Although her educational background was in theatre, she felt a strong guidance to start singing as a new career direction. No one in the family had yet to be musicians. It seemed crazy at first to start a new career, pursuing song writing and singing, but she began to realise with perseverance and practice that she had a gift she had not previously known about. It was not long before her brothers also had a desire to get into music and they left their computer and animation courses in Hastings to study the guitar at Bimm music college in Brighton in 2003.

Back then in 2003, John and Peter were able to attend college due to their Dad, who in seeing their music potential, drove them at dawn from Hastings to Brighton and then waited in the car all day to drive them back home! It was a long day for him hanging around waiting, but finally someone was learning to play, one of the instruments lying scattered around the house, for so many years! This was kept up for three months, five days a week until John and Peter could afford their own local student housing.

They joined Natasha for one track at the end of her solo gig in London, performing a track they had written on Mother’s day at a family gathering, ‘Footprints fading’ and despite it being the boys first public performance , it went down a storm. Natasha then sat in on a music jam one day in Brighton and it was immediate that their new found love for making music was electrifying when they all got together. The track ‘Solitude’ was created in their first jam session and so was born writing and performing relationship. Natasha left the band in London and formed a new band with her family.

Songs just seemed to fly right out of them and they were soon performing regularly across the South east of England, doing two hour long sets of own original music. They made a decision to only perform original songs and that decision paid of earning The Myst a strong local following. By 2007 their fan base had grown and they found ourselves playing larger stages, they decided that they needed a drummer and a bass player. Consequently in 2007 the perfect drum and bass duo was found in Mike and Simon who had met John and Peter whilst studying at the Bimm music college in Brighton in 2003.

Their debut performance, with the new line up of musicians and full band, was at the Guilfest festival in 2007. (Supporting the likes of Madness, Squeeze and The magic numbers.) Their friendship was a great foundation for a special music connection both on stage and in the recording studio.

The creative collaboration of two families has given birth to songs and music that has a distinctive, rich flavour that manages to organically drop in and out of different music genres with ease and grace.

They have since gone on to play some top London venues, including headlining at The Islington Carling Academy and the legendary Cafe De Paris, supporting and performing with Mark Chadwick from The Levellers and Baby Shambles at The Dirty south. They also run and perform at their own three day music festival, set in the grounds of their family home in Sussex called The Guestlingbury Festival, now running in its fourth successful year.

With a strong visual and performance art background, they draw on these roots to merge art with music in their live performances and videos.

2. Tell us all about your band name The Myst? How was it chosen and by who ?

I guess you could say the name ‘The Myst’ was fated! The band had been trying to think of a name for weeks. Natasha decided to get inspiration by doing house cleaning whilst the others wrote down more ideas on a piece of paper. An hour or so later they both found the idea for the band name simultaneously. Natasha was cleaning the bathroom when she noticed a book with a piece of paper covering up half of the word ‘mystical’ on the front cover, spelling Myst, lying on the floor. That’s it she thought ‘Myst’ and rushed to show the others who were in turn coming up stairs to show Natasha their list. There at the top of the page they handed her, was also written the word Myst, but as a misspelling of ‘mist’. It was unanimous that The Myst was now their band name.

3. Who or what are your influences ?

Music from their childhood proved to be a great influence – Cat Stevens, Carol King, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Steve Gibbons, Alex Harvey, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Sam cook, Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman.

4. What modern artists do you like ?

Muse, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, The Script, David Gray, Newton Faulkner, Kings of Leon, Beth Orton, Fiona Apple, Kasabian, Chemical Brothers, Coldplay, Damien Rice, Ray Lamontagne and Dj’s - Fergie and Mauro Piccoto.

5. If you could choose to record a song with any other artist/band alive or dead who would it be and why?

Otis Redding – he poured his soul into his music and could move a listener with the power of pure emotion. An authentic and heart stopping performer. It would be electrifying to perform on stage with him.

6. What inspires you to write your music/lyrics ?

The Myst love to inspire and move others with their music and song writing. Music is a very powerful tool for bringing people together and The Myst hope that by creating music from an honest and sincere place that can connect with others in a meaningful and positive way. They have always tried to approach writing songs, with a sense of experimentation and openness to new ideas, sounds and rhythms. They try to allow the natural creative process to dictate their musical direction and often feel that the songs are channelled down somehow. Their album is an eclectic mix of songs that have a common, sound flavour that weaves in and out of different genres, but each song has the unique Myst creative stamp on it!

7. Name your all time fave track by another artist ?

Imagine by John Lennon – stunning in its simplicity and emotional power.

8. Can you tell us about your chosen album title White Buffalo does it have any specific meaning to the band, world peace etc ?

Dave Wilson came up with the idea of White buffalo, which it may be of interest to know was one of the contenders for the band’s name in the early days, but it ended up being the album name. White Buffalo is a Native American symbol that stands for rebirth and world harmony. It was regarded as a miracle if a White Buffalo was born. These positive themes of world peace and the coming together of humanity to oneness are themes that are very close to the band member’s hearts.

9. What are your ambitions for your music? Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

Their main mission is to reach as many people worldwide with their music as possible. To continue writing albums that reflects their desire to remain true to ones spirit and creative individuality. It would be fantastic to have four to five successful albums recorded and out in the world. They also love the idea of merging different art forms with music, such as art installations and videos with a performance art edge. They would also like to branch out into film making, perhaps some comedy!

10. How would you describe your music and what genre do you think it fits into ?

The Myst have a unique earthy, raw sound. They like to work with the creative tension of trying to push music boundaries whilst still honouring the traditional art of writing solid, real songs. Songs that can be played alone on an acoustic guitar. They believe that music is a powerful medium for expression and endeavour to create songs and music that speak to the human heart and inspire the soul. One record producer described their music as ‘the evocative place between earth and sky and the ancient and new’.

The album is a collection of thirteen guitar driven songs, with catchy melodies, passionate vocals, off planet sounds, world music touches and snake hip rhythms.

11. Where was your album recorded and who was producing ?

They have just completed their debut album 'White Buffalo'. The album was recorded at Rock field studios in Wales (Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen, was one of the many hit songs recorded and written there).


The Myst drove from East Sussex to Wales in an old, white transit van with four band members and their entire equipment squashed floor to ceiling in the back. It was a real endurance test, as there were no windows to look out of, and four people had to sit where there was really only room for two at a squeeze. Still they were used to travelling that way to gigs - just not quite that far! Once there it was worth the journey. They loved the down to earth living found at Rockfields, countryside, residential studio, which vibrates with the creativity of decades of recording and song writing, from some of the best minds in the music business.

With muddy shoes and cups of tea the Myst recorded their album in just six and half days in the studio. Which is amazing considering the week closely resembled a Monty python film, of pure silliness and contagious wit. The producer Matt Butler was perfectly suited to bringing out the best in the band, joining in the funny banter but making sure that everyone delivered the highest performance! It was hard work but a lot of fun and proved to be an electrifying and magical experience for all involved. Matt has produced and recorded with the likes of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Katie Melua, Pink Floyd and Johnny Cash, to name but a few. The Myst were over the moon to be working with such a talented and renowned producer.

The album is released by White Hart records and distributed worldwide through Matchbox recordings/Universal distribution. They have found the perfect combination of distributing through a major record label whilst still owning and controlling their music and direction via their own independent label.

12. The band is made up of many different family members can you tell us who's who and what they do ?

Natasha Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, drums and percussion.
Graduated with First class honours degree in Visual and Performing Arts. Natasha is also an Advanced level Energy field healer and psychic and has appeared in Fate & Fortune magazine. On stage you can expect to see her banging her drum and singing at the same time.

John Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion. Trained at Bimm music college. John believes his true education came from busking around Europe. On the stage you can expect to see John rising a few smile, eyebrows and temperatures.

Peter Wilson - Songwriter, vocalist, electric guitar, synth, percussion.
Trained at Bimm music college. Also a renowned Dj, coming second place in the 2007 Turnmills UK championships. On stage you can expect to see Peter live up to his sci-fi shaman reputation channelling down other worldly sounds. Look out for the trademark hat of mirrors!

Dave Wilson - Percussion, drums and numerous world music instruments. The shaman heart beat of the music and Father to Natasha, John and Peter Wilson. On stage you can expect to see him as a painter of music, adding different colours from his jubilant paint pots surrounding him.

Mike Davies - Bass guitar, Songwriter, vocalist, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, saxophone. Trained at Bimm music college. Mike predominately plays Bass with the band and has created a special kind of rhythm section with his twin brother Simon on drums. On stage you can expect to see him rolling out bloodelicous bass lines with a groove to grab you in the sacral. He is also a magic magician with vocal harmonies and created a full vocal choir for the album recording!

Simon Davies - Drums. Trained at Bimm music college. He can play any genre with ease and gives a very large ship like The Myst, the perfect anchor and groove. He also designed The Myst web site and has his own web site design business. On stage you can expect to see him wearing an owl suit and running with big dogs.

13. Is it harder or easier being in a band with family members as fellow players ?

Luckily they all get on really well and they find that there is a certain creative chemistry that happens when you are with family that is pretty special. Some of the songs from the album were written apart, and on coming together they often found that they had been working on the same song, as all the parts fitted together perfectly. There have been some difficulties to get through, which maybe bands that were not family would of split up over, but The Myst family bond has kept them moving forward.

For example Natasha fell ill at the beginning of 2008 with Glandular Fever which turned into ‘ME’ or Chronic Fatigue syndrome. There was a long period of time when The Myst had to continue on with Natasha only a shadow of her former self, but they stood by her and as her strength slower returned so the Myst continued on. It was very hard times though and maybe if it was not for the fact the band was family maybe they would not have pulled through.


14. We have heard rumours that you might be living in a big white egg on the banks of the Thames soon? Is this true or just a rumour? Tell us more ?

Ah now that is a big secret. You will have to wait, but rest assured that you can expect many unusual and adventurous antics in the future from The Myst!



15. In the U.K music and food has combined with celebrity rock and pop stars now appearing and cooking on TV food shows. SO, Please can you give us your favourite recipe ?

Vegetarian lasagne – warms and fills the belly nicely. A little bit of rocket salad with some plum tomatoes to dress the plate.