DOWNTOWN MYSTIC Releases Stripped Down 'Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul: Acoustic Sessions' EP
DOWNTOWN MYSTIC
— AMERICAN ROOTS ROCKER —
RELEASES STRIPPED DOWN SIX-SONG EP
ROCK’N’ROLL 4 THE SOUL: ACOUSTIC SESSIONS
VIA SHA-LA MUSIC (THE ORCHARD/SONY)
Above: ‘Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul Acoustic Sessions’ EP Artwork
“the sound of classic rock and roll filtered through both muscle and melody”
— AMERICAN SONGWRITER
NASHVILLE, TN (May 17, 2024) — DownTown Mystic’s sound encapsulates classic American rock ‘n’ roll with storytelling lyrics, traditional guitars, and analog recording methods. The mastermind behind DownTown Mystic is American roots rocker Robert Allen, whose deep reverence for vintage recording techniques verges on obsession. In fact, he recently outlined his sonic approach with Music Connection Magazine.
DownTown Mystic’s new endeavor is today’s release of his Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul: Acoustic Sessions EP. This collection features six stripped down acoustic renditions of songs from Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul, along with two bonus tracks that didn't make the original album cut.
“I do different mixes for sync-licensing, and I get to hear a song differently because of it,” Allen explains. “That’s how ‘Acoustic Sessions’ came about. The songs on the ‘Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul’ album have the full band and production and I wanted to show how some of them sounded stripped down — where it’s just about the song.”
The new EP has received early praise from the likes of Americana Highways which raved that “DownTown Mystic will give you the hearty rock ‘n roll boost,” while Music Connection Magazine added that “DownTown Mystic continues to solidify its status as a leading independent artist and composer…Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul, channels the essence of American rock ‘n’ roll…with trusted storytelling lyrics and analog recording techniques, each track resonates with depth and authenticity.”
Elsewhere, AmericanaUK chimed in from across the pond to underscore Robert Allen’s audible “passion for traditional guitars and analog recording methods,” adding the “twin enthusiasms which feed through to the kind of rock and roll storytelling that features on the upcoming Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul: Acoustic Sessions EP.”
Stream Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul: Acoustic Sessions here.
Influenced by bands like Buffalo Springfield and Rockpile, the music balances a timeless feel with a contemporary edge. This signature style shines on Rock‘n’Roll 4 The Soul, released on February 9, via Sha-La Music (The Orchard/Sony). DownTown Mystic has also gained significant traction on international radio, reflecting DownTown Mystic’s wide-reaching global fan base.
Reflecting on his upbringing surrounded by timeless records, Allen shares, “I grew up immersed in the sounds and styles of those great albums.” Esteemed musicians like drummer Steve Holley (known for his work with Paul McCartney, Wings, Elton John, and Ian Hunter), acclaimed bassist Paul Page (recognized for his collaborations with Dion and Ian Hunter), as well as one of the great rhythm sections in the history of American rock ‘n’ roll — Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band — have all joined Allen in the studio for DownTown Mystic albums.
DownTown Mystic has established itself as one of the leading independent artists in sync-licensing worldwide. One of the new EP’s bonus tracks, “Without A Trace,” has been sync-licensed for the upcoming film Everything's Going to Be Great starring Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney. To date, his songs have appeared on over 240 TV shows, airing on all the major and cable networks, as well as all the popular streaming platforms. International viewers from London to Hong Kong watch TV shows with DownTown Mystic music in them, as well as films like Disney’s Flora and Ulysses.
Above: DownTown Mystic; Credit: Mark Maryanovich