Downtown Mystic is the professional name of veteran singer, songwriter and roots-rocking guitarist Robert Allen. Regular readers of The Static Dive are well acquainted with his work. A New Jersey native, Allen is a product of and a major contributor to that state’s legendary music scene. He’s been rocking North Jersey and the New York Metropolitan region for decades, and counts some of its biggest stars as contemporaries and friends.
Some of those high profile friends have joined Downtown Mystic on his latest album “DownTown Mystic On E Street Deluxe featuring Max Weinberg & Garry Tallent.” For the uninitiated, Max and Garry comprise the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame rhythm section from Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band. It simply doesn’t get bigger than that. On June 22, 2021 DTM released a brand new single from the album. “And You Know Why” is an infectiously catchy Pop gem available worldwide on all major streaming services.
The song opens with the full band laying down a smooth Alt-Pop groove. A smooth slide guitar repeats one of the song’s many memorable hooks. Soon Robert enters the mix singing a classic tale of heartbreak and romantic confusion. The legendary band is impeccable throughout. As the superstar rhythm section holds it down, Allen provides layers of acoustic and electric guitars played with his signature style and flawless technique. In the chorus the track introduces a rich mix of multipart vocal harmonies.
With hints of Tom Petty, 80’s College Rock and modern Indie, “And You Know Why” is a timeless Pop gem. Check out the lyric video below. You can also hear the track on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Downtown Mystic and get in the loop on all of the many current and future projects from this East Coast Rock hero.
The song “And You Know Why” has special significance for me because I was at a point in my life when I was about to leave my music career behind and one day I happened to come up with these chords. I thought I was burnt-out but suddenly found myself unable to let go of this new music I was playing. I felt compelled to write a song with it.
The song would become “And You Know Why” and I haven’t stopped writing and playing since. You could say it saved my life in a way. Even of more importance, I got the chance to record and play it with the E Street Band rhythm section! I mean, what are the odds?
Robert Allen (Downtown Mystic)