Ishi Preview

As a soul and funk inspired indie-electro band that attributes some of its major musical influences to folk legends such as Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, Dallas band Ishi creates not only a unique sound, but an original atmosphere as well.

Ishi will bring their high- energy, funky-electro dance party to Austin for two shows this month. They opened for The Bright Light Social Hour at La Zona Rosa Feb. 10, and will play Feb. 15 at The Parish with Boombox. They have also confirmed a few undisclosed unofficial shows lined up during South by Southwest and will tour Texas and Oklahoma until then.

Ishi lead singer John Mudd said the band is on a journey to bring back folk music elements and energy into electronic music. They want their music to encourage honesty within everyone and bring awareness to the world.

"Folk music was inspirational yet observational," Mudd said. "We seek to entertain and provide a high energy show with a free-spirited vibe."

Ishi's tribe consists of lead singer John Mudd, his brother, drummer and programmer J.J. Mudd, guitarist Rocky Otteley, female vocalist Becky Middleton and frequent collaborator and producer Brad Dale. Their name is derived from the last surviving member of the Yahi, a Native American tribe indigenous to California who lived outside the realm of European American society in the late 1800s. John and Dale formed Ishi in 2006, and despite a few controversial member change- ups over the last year, the band is still developing and making huge waves in the Dallas scene. Their notoriously provocative shows sell out, and they've won local music awards due to their authentic and popular tunes. John said they hope to see that success spread and gain more national appeal with the release of their upcoming album "Digital Wounds" set to drop later this year in August by Make It Records.

"We have been in the studio and it's going really well with the new members," John said. "Everyone is on board. It's the best team I've had and we can't wait to see where this second album goes."

Ishi's music mixes steady, thumping electro-sex-rock beats with funky, electric and acoustic guitar riffs that accent the verses and choruses. The MIDI aspect of tracks are typically melodic yet unconventional. The folk vibe beneath the surface of their indie-dance-funk music works well and sets this band apart from other electronic acts.

While John's vocals dominate most of the tracks, Middleton's echoing sultry female vocals balance out the sound. The lyrics are inspirational, colorful stories that cannot help but make hips sway and lips move. Their words invite crowds of listeners to participate in the musical experience rather than listen passively.

Some tunes worth checking out before seeing the band live are "Pastel Lights," "Come Closer" and "Shake Your Dandelion" off of their first album, "Through the Trees." Then you should seek out their new infectious ‘70s-inspired homage "Disco Queen," to be released on "Digital Wounds." John said Ishi strives to be more than just a danceable, genre-defying electronic act. Their lyrics are poetic, their sound is sexy and they have a real message that they want to share with their audience.

"I am trying to use my introspective journey, especially on this next record, to address people's misconceptions and illusions of the world we get caught up in," John said. "I want to see us heal these ‘digital wounds' inflicted on the heart and soul."

Editor-in-Chief Natalie Casanova also contributed information to this article.