John Maus

Mistletone proudly presents John Maus, bringing his wide-screen alternate reality to the Factory Theatre with special guests, Purple Pilgrims (NZ). One of the most enigmatic figures in music today, John Maus is a man out of time. Cinematic in scope and underscored by a deadpan streak of absurdist humour, his five defining albums have quickly carved out a unique position at the intersection of power pop, punk rock and pure pathos. His driving synth pop conjures hazy anthems of the past while glimmering with hints of tomorrow. Maus’ propulsive bass-lines and cascading arpeggios create a constant sense of momentum but his careful mastery of production gives each of his original songs a frosted, nostalgic air – dreams of a hopeful future as found in a dusty thrift store. His signature style has seen him develop a cult following the world over, while leaving critics bewildered and grappling to comprehend where his sonic experiments might lead next. Perhaps that’s what you get when a former philosophy teacher at the University of Hawaii with a PhD in political science does a career U-turn and turns his hand to music. One thing is certain: there’s no one else like John Maus.