Formed in 2005 by vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Shana Cleveland and Nicolas Gonzalez, the Curious Mystery craft an unusual fusion of sounds. Indie rock serves as their core, laced with shades of 1960s psychedelia, Americana, bluegrass, film noir, and lo-fi textures. Early gigs sometimes carried the junkyard band tag because the group favored an eclectic mix of instruments. Gonzalez constructed experimental hybrids, among them a gourd outfitted with steel rods that is bowed like a stringed instrument, while performances regularly included melodica, autoharp, banjo, and makeshift objects such as plastic tubes and baking utensils alongside the conventional guitar, drums, and bass. Once bassist Bradford Button and drummer Faustine B. Hudson, herself drawn to irregular percussion, joined the lineup, the band signed with K Records in 2008 and cut its debut album alongside label founder Calvin Johnson. Originally planned for January, Rotting Slowly was delayed and issued in May 2009. The group broadened its palette for the next release by bringing in K Records associate Karl Blau to produce We Creeling, which was recorded in 2010 and appeared in spring 2011.
The Community BedRotting Slowly · 2009Rotting Slowly6:43
From The GardenWe Creeling · 2011We Creeling3:02
Teem CreepsBe Still b/w Cock of the Rock · 2013Be Still b/w Cock of the Rock3:32