Misread Mumford?

Mister and Misread.

Mister & Misread is a Somerset-West based band who arrived on the scene mid-June last year with the release of a video of their cover of Mumford and Sons‘ White Blank Page.

The then-duo’s acoustic version brings in a beautifully soulful element that the original version does not possess. The pair transform this folk song into somewhat of a bluesy, easy-listening rock melody that is well worth a listen.

Lead vocalist, Kristyn Röhm or Misread, has a sincerity in her voice that is uncommon thus creating a dynamic and powerful tone, which maintains the perfectly suited understated quality of this soulful rendition. Her genuineness leads the listener into believing every word bringing in a great depth that makes the song easy to relate to; a quality that has become increasingly important in the music industry.

Guitarist, Nick Frost, adds a fullness to the song right throughout with his tentative manipulation of his guitar strings, whereas the Mumford and Sons original contains this fullness and intensity only through the assistance of a full band. Nick’s harmonising further intensifies the emotionally heavy lyrics. This is by no means intended to suggest that the Mister and Misread version is any better or worse than the Mumford and Sons original, or vice versa, but simply to remark on how the two differ.

There is a downfall to this release; although the sound quality of the video is good, it could be better. The video of this performance can be found on YouTube by typing in “Mumford and Sons, White Blank Page (cover) nikon d7000” or going to Etienne van Rensburg’s channel.

The band has since expanded to include three more Misters: Phil Joubert on bass guitar, Jono Otero on guitar and Fourie Pretorius on drums. Mister & Misread falls under the management of Sovereign Express who have managed the Parlotones, WONDERBoom, Jon Savage and the likes to great success, one can only hope that Mister & Misread achieves the same kind of success.

Since the addition of the new members, Mister & Misread has recorded and released to Soundcloud two original tracks; Silver Linings and The Best Is Yet To Come. The band has, through these few releases, proven their talent with a style classified as ‘easy-listening, dust-rock and dark-pop’ and the most original, catchy lyrics that make one wonder just how they conjured them up. They are a group who claim to have something for everyone, something new to offer and have yet to fail to deliver. I look forward to there being an album to buy, hopefully in the very near future!

The band can be seen live at Bohemia in Stellenbosch on every other Sunday and at various venues around Cape Town, to keep up to date with their gigs “Like” their Facebook page, you won’t be disappointed.

This band is a must see!

To read more of the lovely Kylie Holliday’s reviews, visit her blog at  http://kyliehollyday.wordpress.com