Despite the band's getting two Boston Music Award nominations, Egg failed to invest further in Super Refraction. But Mistle Thrush were able to consolidate their circle of supporters, which included radio DJ Oedipus. A big reason was Forgione's radiant vocals. "No one compares to the voice of Valerie Forgione," says Soozapalooza organizer Susan "Sooz" Kaup, who adds that the band's sound "explains why they didn't achieve commercial success, and it also explains why their music is so timeless, all these years later."
As Mistle Thrush were spending $21,000 to buy back Super Refraction from Egg and get out of a five-album contract, label woes and constant touring took their toll, and the line-up started to change. "Something was poised to happen," says Demma. "But we were not connecting with the powers that be or the world at large."
They spent 1997 to 2000 pushing Super Refraction. In 2002, they sold out the Middle East downstairs for the Drunk with You release party — the same night Mission of Burma reunited at Avalon. Again, the record was nominated for two BMAs, one of them Local Album of the Year. "It felt like, here's our second chance," Demma recalls. "So we toured, but to less than stellar results, and at that age, people start getting comfortable with their lives, start settling down, become more security minded."
By 2003, the creative tank was empty, and when Demma moved to LA, the party was over. "We didn't break up," says Forgione. "We just stopped being a band."
MISTLE THRUSH + THE CANDLES + THE LIGHTS OUT + KRISTEN FORD + SOOZAPALOOZA SUPERGROUP | Middle East downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge | January 22 at 9 pm | 18+ | $12 | 617.864.EAST or mideastclub.com
