Mystic is one of those acts that can’t really be put into a box, consistently putting out one good song after another. They recently announced that they’re bringing a bunch of those songs together for their debut album, Slipstream! We had a chat with Blume from the duo about her inspirations, the concepts behind Slipstream, the artists who inspire her, and how Mystic Tea Party approach their creative process.

Reuel

Hello Blume! I’m very happy to chat with you. How are you doing?

Blume

I am fantastic. I am currently here in Corfu on vacation, soaking up the sun and petting lots of cute cats. Having a nice break before the chaos starts for the album release!!

Reuel

Sounds great and exciting! It is really hard to describe Mystic Tea Party’s music in one or two words. So let’s put it this way: If Mystic Tea Party’s music were a tea flavor, what would it be?

Blume

Interdimensional Earl Grey

Reuel

Brilliant! You’ll be releasing your debut album, Slipstream, in October. You’ve been releasing standalone singles since 2023. What made you decide that this was the right time to finally commit to a full-length debut album?

Blume

It’s interesting because I feel like making an album was, in a way, something we decided to do almost in rebellion against the current music industry. Nearly every piece of advice we were hearing followed the same formula: “Only release singles! Do the waterfall technique! Wait until you blow up on socials and then maybe think about an album.” But that game just felt so uninspiring to us. We ended up getting a few different pieces of advice from touring musicians that resonated much more. We were fortunate enough to hang out with Andrew from Drab Majesty last year when we saw them play in Wrocław, and he echoed the sentiment: “If you want to play a lot of European festivals, you’ll need an album.” Hearing that from him was kind of the nail in the coffin for all the other strategies. Writing and releasing an album, our own little world, and then touring that album, simply sounded way more exciting to us.

Reuel

When you write, record, and mix everything yourselves, there’s no outside producer to tell you an idea is too weird. What was the most unconventional choice you committed to on this record that might have been vetoed in a traditional studio?

Blume

I think our decision for the second verse of The Looking Glass was pretty weird. We actually had this beautiful, heart-wrenching second verse written, but in the end we decided to make the second verse the first verse… just in reverse.

Conceptually, it made perfect sense. The song is about looking in the mirror and not recognising the person you’re becoming, so having the song literally reflect back on itself felt right. And even though it sounded odd – it was cool! It definitely isn’t the kind of decision you make if commercial success is your main priority, but it just FITS the song and us.

Either that, or Palmtree Views. That one started as a bossa nova song that we were honestly going to scrap because we thought, “This is just TOO random, even for us!” Instead, we ended up making it a bossa nova track that suddenly transforms into this dark, alternative electronic soundscape. It turned out so good. I’m not even sure if the whole mashing that many genres together is something conventional to do in record-making, but that’s kind of our whole thing!!

Reuel

Both of these are great ideas! I’m so excited to listen to these songs now! You really play with extremes on “ANGELITE,” starting out very quiet and intimate before building to a huge, heavy finish. Looking at the full album, does it lean more toward the heavier side or the calmer side?

Blume

The album is honestly just a full journey. We have a little bit of everything from the MTP universe… and it’s a pretty expansive and diverse universe, let’s just say, lol. We kind of take you on a full ride through that whole spectrum. You’ll get to experience the full range of Mystic Tea Party, which I think is really fun.

Reuel

What themes, situations, or emotions inspired the songs on Slipstream?

Blume

Slipstream is really about being pulled through life and all the weird, intense emotions that come with that. A lot of the songs came from love, obsession, desire, identity, change, nostalgia, uncertainty … to name a few.

Some songs are super personal and emotional, some are more playful or surreal, and some are just us following a feeling or a world we wanted to create. I think that’s why Slipstream felt like the right name for the album. It kind of captures that feeling of being caught in the current of your own life and getting pulled forward whether you’re fully ready for it or not.

Reuel

What musicians can you credit as the ones who inspired you, personally, in your life or career as a musician?

Blume

My parents were both musicians/wrote music my whole life and were in multiple different bands. They definitely put it into me that this is something I wanted as a way to express myself. Growing up, I was really into Avril Lavigne. I used to play the Let Go album on repeat on my Hello Kitty CD player, and that shit was so deep for me. I remember whenever I’m With You came on, I would have a physical, psychological, and spiritual uproar within my body and soul every time. As I got into my teens, I was really into Miley, and I idolised her throughout my teens and still to this day as a powerhouse of a woman and artist. But none of the musicians who I idolised (as a person more so than their music) have ever come out in my music. Sound-wise, I always resonated more to a different palette, and as I became a late teen/early adult, I was really into Deep Forest, Sade, Enya, Enigma and Grimes… and those influences have definitely come out in MTP.

Reuel

Great names you mentioned!
We have readers from all around the world, including women who still face barriers, and even persecution, in the music industry. What message would you like to share with those who dream of pursuing a music career?

Blume

Find your own way of doing things – and do that. Take every bit of advice into consideration, but don’t feel like anything is gospel. You have your own way of making your art and succeeding in it. There’s a lot of work that goes into trying to make it in music, and unfortunately most of it has nothing to do with music. Just focus on making your music and making it because you love it and it feels good, and for all the other BS that you need to do, just try to gamify it, and try to make everything FUN. If it’s not fun and feeling easy, then be like, HOW CAN I MAKE THIS MORE FUN AND EASY? I think it’s expected to be overlooked and ignored in this industry ESPECIALLY as a woman. But just know you have your own incredible, unique avenue to making it in music, and that’s the path that’s destined for you!

Reuel

Brilliant! Thank you for your time, Blume! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Blume

Our debut album is coming out this October! I hope you enjoy the journey it takes you on. Also, a massive shoutout to my other half, Sebastian, who, without him, MTP would not be possible. I’d also like to thank my dog Frodo, who fell asleep to me writing a lot of songs for this album on the acoustic guitar in my bedroom, for always being there to support me emotionally. And I would like to send out positive light, catchy melody ideas, and great sex for the rest of your life to anyone who reads this!