The Mystery Achievement
Photo by Dave Creaney
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The Mystery Achievement, is a 4-piece rock band based in Austin, Texas, founded by Sheridan Roalson (lead vocals, guitar) and Mallory Whitenton (lead vocals, bass). The band members also include Ram Zimmerman (drums) and Tommy Roalson (guitar), Sheridan’s son. Their new self-titled offering The Mystery Achievement is characterized by strong harmonies, pop hooks and music that is both edgy and accessible. They created something magical, influenced by all the music they collectively love: Rock n’ Roll to Pop Rock, to Traditional Country to Alternative/Indie, and everything in between.
The Mystery Achievement band name comes from The Pretenders song “The Mystery Achievement.” Sheridan explains what the name means to her, “the transcendence into the rest of God. I believe in it, I live in pursuit of it, and it’s still a mystery to me. But every day and every night I find it.”
Sheridan has been a part of many bands including Screaming in Spanish, The Sheridans, Tel Ray and Kitty Gordon. She also released a solo record in 2003 and was in the band Disappearing Twins in 2010 with Tawnya LoRae, Tommy, and Ram. Her musical influences include Chrissie Hynde, Lucinda Williams, Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, The Pixies, Led Zeppelin U2 and the Rolling Stones.
Photo by Dave Creaney
Click here to download hi-res copy
The Mystery Achievement recorded their upcoming release with Chris “Frenchie” Smith, producer at The Bubble Recording studio in Austin, Texas. He began as a Rock n’ Roll guitarist in bands that he produced and recorded in the early 90s and early 2000s. He shifted his focus to producing and worked with The Toadies, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Meat Puppets, Built to Spill, JET, Gregg Rolie, The Answer, The Darkness, The Dandy Warhols, The Datsuns and more. Sheridan ran into Frenchie at the Hole in the Wall and brought up the subject of recording them. The two initially bonded over their shared love of Purple, a band that Frenchie had managed and produced. He invited the band to Bubble Studio to meet with him and they were sold. Recording dates were set and the rest is mystery.
The Mystery Achievement will be performing and celebrating their new release available in vinyl and CD at ABGB on Saturday, September 9, 2017.
Credit: Tawnya Lorae, Allyson Lipkin, Mallory Whitenton
Click here to download hi-res copy