The Mammoths

Blending blues, rock, and psychedelic music, The Mammoths are making their mark on the Austin music scene with their original, fiery sound. Lead singer, David Kapsner, is here to tell us more about the band's journey. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @WeAreAustin and find us on Facebook at We Are Austin Lifestyle Show. - CBS Austin

Being reduced to just another band from Austin is something that happens far too often in the Live Music Capitol of the World. Year in and year out, hundreds of eager, young musicians play local venues and house shows, eager to make a name for themselves. Unfortunately, when a scene is brimming with that much talent, competition is stiff and it's hard to become more widely recognized. But psychedelic rock outfit the Mammoths have become widely recognized, and for good reason. The quartet weaves soulful lyrics with rhythm and blues to create their sound, a sound which parallels that of a young Led Zeppelin. They are making their second stop through Dallas on Saturday night at Trees for the EP debut of their latest album, So Cold (currently available on Spotify). It's also the last show before the kickoff of their two-month tour across the U.S., where they will also be filming a documentary of their lives on the road. - Dallas Observer

Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

1. Hey - thanks for having us! We've been well. We're busy playing around Texas, and getting ready to release our EP!

Can you talk to us more about your latest single?

2. 'So Cold' is coming out at the end of the month. We're really happy with the way it turned out in the studio. The song has a Latin vibe to it with a heavy, blues riff motif.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

3. The song was written at the end of a relationship. It's kind of about the fine line between hurting someone's feelings and doing what's best for yourself. A good chunk of the melody and lyrics came from a dream. I have a voice memo on my phone that's a weird half-whisper thing. It's super creepy, but it ended up making it into the song.

Tell us about the video for the single.

4. We had a very rough idea of what we wanted. Our talented director, Kate Blaising, ran with the theme and developed an entire story line around it. She took us to the desert near Marfa, TX where we camped out and shot the whole thing. The video has a retro/futuristic western vibe with some Quinten Tarantino elements. It's kinda like our third favorite will smith flick, Wild Wild West!!! It's going to be way cool. We can't wait for it to come out.

How was the recording and writing process?

5. The song was pretty much complete by the time we arrived in the studio. Our producer, Omar Vallejo, took us out of our comfort zones and added incredible layers to the song. If you listen closely, you might hear us howling in the background. No rainsticks were harmed during the creation of 'So Cold'.

What role does Austin play in your music?

6. We grew up in Austin and have been exposed to incredible music from all genres. The city has kept us grounded in the blues though. We go out to see new bands all the time, which drives us to get better and explore new territory.

How's your new EP coming along?

7. The EP is all said and done. We are now focusing on getting everything lined up to realease it. We're putting the finishing touches on the artwork as we speak. The EP will also be pressed on vinyl!

Any tentative release date or title in mind?

8. We plan on releasing mid-January. Funny story - we didn't have a title during the mastering processes when the engineer asked us for one. We really didn't have anything in mind, and thought we had more time to name it. The four of us came up with 'Golden Spell' in about 30 minutes. We think the title captures all of the songs in one way or another.

Any plans to hit the road?

9. We'll embark on a National tour mid-January. We hit Colorado first, playing at the bluebird theater then head up the east coast finishing up in NYC. We'll arrive back in Austin just in time for SXSW!

What else is happening next in The Mammoths' world?

10. We're writing this as we head to play a show in Houston. We're pretty excited about getting some beer and pizza when we get there. - VENTS Magazine

After a small talk for our recent issue, Austin’s The Mammoths are back on VENTS with the exclusive premiere of their smooth and melodic single “So Cold” off their upcoming album Golden Spell. The song expresses songwriter and lead singer David Kapsner’s feelings about the fine line between hurting someone you love and doing what is best for you at the end of the relationship.

The band will release a visual to compliment the evocative lyrics of “So Cold” in the form of a music video out this December. The Mammoths enlisted the help of up-and-coming local producer Kate Blaising for the music video, who has worked with Austin music darlings Sarah Houser of Lowin and Carrie Bickley of Calliope Musicals. Pulling inspiration from Clint Eastwood, Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino’s “Sin City,” Blaising created an avant garde masterpiece. By adding a fiery siren into the band’s western sci-fi fantasy, the producer was able to bring the characters alive in the mysterious and seductive music video. 20-year-old Austin-based designer Sloane Lenz of whimsical fashion line This Is Sloane assisted with costume design on set.

Each member of the band possesses a deep-rooted passion in music. Comprised of four members: lead singer David Kapsner; lead guitarist Michael Jekot; bass player Tyler Rush; and percussionist Tim Durand, The Mammoths have refined their sound and found their sweet spot in blending elements of blues, rock and psychedelic into their songwriting. With face-melting guitar licks, hard-hitting drum beats and soulful vocals, this motley crew has found their home in Austin, Texas. Kapsner, Rush and Jekot started their collective musical journey at the young age of 13 after discovering a bass guitar in one of the bandmate’s attics. Rush’s father’s bass guitar sparked a flame that ceased to extinguish. After college, the trio was dispersed across Texas before reconnecting as a group in the Live Music Capitol of the World. After losing their drummer in the process, they stumbled upon Durand, a seasoned percussionist with eight years of experience. After that South by Southwest jam session, the four never looked back – they knew they were destined to play music together and The Mammoths were born.

“Golden Spell” was produced by all-star producer Omar Vallejo at Austin’s 512 Studios who has worked with artists such as Vallejo, Dale Watson, The Nightowls, and The New Offenders. Written as a collaborative effort during a major transitional period in the band mates’ lives, The Mammoth’s debut EP enabled each member to flex their songwriting muscles. Curating the tracks on “Golden Spell” forced the band to go out of their comfort zone and get brutally honest with life. Growing from past projects, the debut EP portrays the mature, powerful sounds complimented by meaningful lyrics.

“The word ‘Golden’ signifies the value of staying true to oneself, while ‘Spell’ can be the antithesis when an outside force or person intoxicates you for better or worse,” said lead singer David Kapsner.

The Mammoths have shared the stage with local and nationally touring artists such as Zoso, Vallejo, Bart Crow, Patrice Pike and Sister Steven, The Vegabonds, and Charley Crockett.

The official release date and Austin album release party for the band’s debut EP “Golden Spell” will be announced soon. The EP will be available across major retailers, including Spotify, iTunes and CD Baby.

For more information about The Mammoths and their unique brand of blues-rock psychedelia, visit www.themammothsmusic.com - Vents Magazine

This Saturday night January 14th a great little band out of Austin TX is rolling into Junction. Nope, the show’s not downtown, it’s at Cruisers.
The Mammoths are a cool rock/blues outfit from deep in the heart of Texas. I’ve been to Austin a few times. I wandered the streets and clubs during SXSW. There is serious talent in that town. If you hang in Austin, you’re the real deal.

Comprised of four members: lead singer David Kapsner; lead guitarist Michael Jekot; bass player Tyler Rush; and percussionist Tim Durand, The Mammoths have found their sweet spot in blending elements of blues and psych into their songwriting. These guys rock too. With a mix of hard-hitting guitar riffs, rock’n drums, and soulful vocals, this bunch has made a name for themselves.

Kapsner, Rush, and Jekot started the project at the tender age of 13. The trio was dispersed across Texas before reconnecting as a group in the Live Music Capital of the World aka/Austin, TX. There they found Durand, a seasoned percussionist with eighteen years of experience. After a jam session at SXSW, the four never looked back – and The Mammoths were born.

The critics agree, “The Mammoths are an up-and-coming Austin band to watch fueled by their fiery unapologetic live shows reminiscent of a young Led Zeppelin. In meeting with these guys at AMF on their future plans, this band is clearly driven playing hard and using the old school work ethic of making fans one sweaty show at a time.”-Alex Vallejo (Vallejo Music Group/Austin Music Foundation). - 95 Rock FM

The Mammoths are fresh to the Austin scene, but rock to a familiar tune. Melting blues and psych-rock together into a guitar-lickin’, face-meltin’ pool, the Mammoths sound a bit like the Black Keys on an acid microdose. They’ve recently taken their early-Zeppelin stage energy on the road supporting their debut EP Golden Spell.

“Capture You” doesn’t hit you square in the face with blues rock, but rather kisses you on the cheek, making your ears perk and your eyes squint with piqued curiosity. Just when it sounds like the guitars might take-off with a psych-rock mind of their own, bass drum kicks and slow, syncopated drum fills keep everything grounded. Slow-moving and slow-boiling, “Capture You” is arguably the blues-iest tune on the EP, taking its time, and reveling in every second, sometimes sounding like it’s avoiding the song’s end in order to stew in the moment.

“Capture You” appears on Golden Spell EP, out now.

-Taylor Wallace - KUTX