Mystery Friends

Forming in 2017, the DC-based synth pop band Mystery Friends initially drew heavily on the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Franz Ferdinand, and other early aughts post-punk revival acts. Over the years (and through a few lineup changes due to the demographic churn of DC), the band's sound has evolved from the funky guitar-focused minimalism of its early tracks toward a more lush and propulsive synth pop that allows lead singer Abby Sevcik’s magnetic vocals to truly shine.

The band has been anchored by Sevcik and fellow founding member Dave Mohl
(synth/guitar). Even though they come from different musical backgrounds, the duo quickly found these differences make each song far greater than the sum of its parts. Working with longtime collaborator and fellow bandmate Jay Nemeyer (the band’s lead guitarist) and producer/engineer Kyle Downes, the band uses this EP to dive deeper into a synth-driven direction. Drawing influences from the chill danceable grooves of L’Imperatrice and Tame Impala to the synth pop maximalism of Charli XCX to the minimalist electronic grit of Trent Reznor, “ON THE FLOOR!” hopes to cause each listener to lean in without letting them get too comfortable.

Despite its seemingly aggressive title, the tongue-in-cheek album title is not a command but an exclamation of release from the band itself. ON THE FLOOR! is about letting go. Letting go of expectations in someone else, the unrealistic expectations we set for ourselves, or even just letting go of the inhibitions that allow us to find joy in the things around us. It is that emotional baggage that we wish for everyone to drop on the floor.

Onstage, Mystery Friends performs as a six-person group (oftentimes with even more people...) that features Sevcik, Mohl, and Nemeyer, along with drummer Enzo Ferroggiaro, bassist Jack Covert, and keyboard player/vocalist Annie Guske, all with a singular goal to make each show a dopamine-releasing party. In that spirit, the band has captivated audiences with high energy live performances, playing venues across the country, alongside lauded acts like Kate Davis, De Lux, Couch, Sub Radio, and many more. The band offers a sound the Washington Post described as "new wave and synth-pop, made timeless with a solid foundation of pop-rock songwriting and the dramatic vocals of frontwoman Abby Sevcik." Thrilled to spend more time performing live in 2025, Mystery Friends is currently planning tour dates across the country to
support the release of its new music.

There’s no key to finding happiness, but dance music is a damn good start.