[podcast]http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebaybridged/Mumlers_Show.mp3[/podcast] This week, our podcast features The Mumlers, a San Jose band whose sophomore album, Don’t Throw Me Away, comes out today on Galaxia Records. The group’s members were initially intended to be guest contributors on a solo recording by lead singer Will Sprott. Instead, they’ve united to become a formidable band full of talented musicians, whose first album, 2008’s Thickets & Stitches, channeled their skills into a loose collection of folk, rock, blues and soul. Since that album’s release, The Mumlers have been supporting the record with entertaining live shows that allows the sextet’s players to switch between multiple instruments and have a lot of fun.

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Vintage organs and amps lend Don’t Throw Me Away an “old soul” feeling, and Sprott’s voice has a world-weary timelessness that helps the ballads ache and the uptempo tracks swing. Beyond the fact that they sound aged, though, the songs also sound good. Vintage aesthetic aside, the horn, string and vocal arrangements are powerful and unpredictable, and great production means that you’ll want to replay these songs to unpack their numerous layers. So The Mumlers are a little tighter and a little wiser on their second recording, and they’re rightfully one of Northern California’s rising bands.

We sat down with the band at The Bay Bridged Studio in late June to discuss the new album, the San Jose music scene and more. We’ve also included four songs in the episode from both of the group’s releases.

Upcoming Shows:
The Mumlers will be joining Black Heart Procession for a national tour following CD release shows around Northern California. Check their MySpace page for more.

Tuesday, September 8th
Streetlight Records (San Jose)
7pm, Free, All Ages

Friday, September 11th
The Blank Club (Record Release Show)
with Kelley Stoltz and The Botticellis
9pm, $8

Friday, September 18th
The Crepe Place (Santa Cruz)
with Sparrow’s Gate
9pm, $10

Saturday, September 26th
Henry Miller Library (Big Sur)
with The Dodos, Papercuts, The Ruby Suns
5pm, $28.50

Wednesday, October 7th
Hemlock Tavern
with Emily Jane White and Osage Orange
9pm, $7

Links:

– Visit The Mumlers on MySpace and web site

– Purchase Thickets & Stitches and Don’t Throw Me Away from Galaxia Recordings and on iTunes.

– Check out a video for “Coffin Factory”.