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"It might be too soon to tell, but I’ve got the sneaking suspicion that Mount Pressmore might be poised to take over the whole damn city. Equal parts dancey pop, soul and rock, Mount Pressmore creates a soundscape that’s always interesting. Throw in the occasional pseudo-nonsensical lyrics that border on the poetic, and you’ve got all the quirk you need to carry you into ATX glory." - James Roberts, The Horn

Mount Pressmore was formed in the late summer of 2011 in Austin, Texas. The lineup currently includes Thomas Shaw (Fender Rhodes and vocals), Kris Studebaker (drums), Alex Sefchick (bass), and Tom Ray (guitar). Led by Shaw, the quartet began by exploring afro-beat and jazz fusion compositions, but soon found themselves digging into their rock and roll roots and evolving into a sound boldly described as “Chop-Pop.”

The extensive musical background and education of all members of the band has allowed Mount Pressmore to go well beyond traditional rock and pop to create a unique sound that has been compared to Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, The Police and Talking Heads. Somewhere between progressive and pop, Mount Pressmore have established their own brand of sophisticated rock, acknowledging their wide influences and striving to add their singular statement to the ever-changing landscape of popular music.

Mount Pressmore pride themselves on their live performances. Their shows display a tenacious dedication to craft, and one can expect consistent virtuosity from their studio recordings to the stage. Their critically-acclaimed debut album, “Enjoy,” establishes this precedent: recorded live in East Austin Recording studio over an initial period of three days, with backing vocals provided by renowned Austin songstress Erin Ivey and production overseen by James Stevens, the album prompted one critic to assert that, “there’s a feeling to ‘Enjoy’ that the listening point of its peak encompasses much of the entire American songbook.”

“Enjoy” was a labor of love, honed over a year-and-a-half of regular rehearsals and shows, which marked the entrance of Mount Pressmore into the Austin live music scene. 2012 saw their first performances at the now-defunct Headhunters, followed by regular appearances at the Red Eyed Fly, on Austin’s historic Red River Street. Since those early shows, the band has continued to evolve, sharing stages at notable venues such as The Roost, Mohawk, and Stubb’s with some of the finest musical talent Austin has to offer.

Mount Pressmore's second studio album, "The Masked Battle," was released on July 1, 2017. The band celebrated the record's long-awaited release with a stellar hometown show and a live in-studio performance at KUTX's lengendary Studio 1A.

The band is currently self-producing two concurrent albums, and playing shows in and around Austin.

PAST SHOWS:

2018

8/24/18 - Dirty Dog Bar - Austin, TX - 10 pm

7/6/18 - Bang Bang Bar - San Antonio, TX - 10 pm

6/9/18 - Kick Butt Coffee - Austin, TX - 10 pm

4/26/18 - One-2-One Bar - Austin, TX - 11 pm

3/15/18 - VoyagerFest - Austin, TX - 12 pm

3/16/18 - The Arnold, w/ Patrice Pike - Austin, TX - 5 pm

2/22/18 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX - 11 pm

1/15/18 - One-2-One Bar - Austin, TX - 7 pm

2017

9/23/17 - The Townsend - Austin, TX - 10 pm

7/1/17 - One-2-One Bar - Austin, TX - 9 pm

5/20/17 - Nomad Bar - Austin, TX - 10 pm

2/11/17 - Dirty Dog Bar - Austin, TX - 10 pm

1/13/17 - Dirty Dog Bar - Austin, TX - 10 pm

2016

12/18/16 - Soma Vida - Austin, TX - 4 pm - Yule Bazaar in conjunction with East Austin Handmade Arts Market

12/8/16 - International Pop Overthrow Festival - 11 pm - Empire Control Room

12/3/16 - Kick Butt Coffee - Austin, TX - 7 pm - Holiday Benefit for Volunteer Healthcare Clinic

8/13/16 - Spiderhouse Ballroom - Austin, TX - 4 pm - in conjunction with East Austin Handmade Arts Market

8/12/16 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX - 8 pm

8/11/16 - Dozen Street - Austin, TX - 10 pm

7/9/16 - Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX - 2 pm

7/2/16 - Dozen Street - Austin, TX - 10 pm

6/25/16 - Hi Tones - San Antonio, TX - 10 pm

6/11/16 - Rattle Inn - Austin, TX - 10 pm

6/10/16 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX - 9 pm

4/29/16 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX - Media Noche

4/28/16 - Hole In The Wall - Austin, TX

4/2/16 - Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX - 1 pm

2/5/16 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX - Media Noche

1/28/16 - Badlands - Austin, TX - 10 pm

1/12/16 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX - with Civil Youth

2015

12/10/15 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX - part of the International Pop Overthrow Festival

11/20/15 - The Carousel Lounge - Austin, TX

10/7/15 - Beerland - Austin, TX - 9 pm

4/10/15 - Revolution Cafe and Bar - College Station, TX - 9 pm

3/27/15 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11:30 pm

3/26/15 - Speakeasy - Austin, TX - 11 pm

3/1/15 - Beerland - Austin, TX - 10 pm

2/7/15 - Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX - 1 pm

2/3/15 - The Roost - Austin, TX - 6 pm

1/29/15 - Stubb's - Austin, TX - 8 pm

1/22/15 - One-2-One Bar - Austin, TX - 11:30 pm

1/17/15 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11 pm

2014

12/18/14 - The Roost - Austin, TX - 11 pm

12/5/14 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX - Midnight

11/23/14 - Sahara Lounge - Austin, TX - 10:30 pm

11/22/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11 pm

11/5/14 - Rattle Inn - Austin, TX - 9 pm

11/1/14 - Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX - 1 pm

10/24/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11 pm

10/22/14 - Common Grounds - Waco, TX - 8:30 pm

9/6/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11 pm

9/3/14 - The Roost - Austin, TX - 8 pm

8/2/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 11 pm

7/11/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 10 pm

7/5/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 10 pm

7/4/14 - Ella Wooten Park - Austin, TX - 10 am

6/28/14 - The Roost - Austin, TX - Midnight

6/28/14 - Texas Rose Saloon - Beaumont, TX - 5 pm

6/21/14 - The Roost - Austin, TX - 9 pm

6/21/14 - Casa de Shane - Austin, TX - 6:30 pm

6/21/14 - Whole Foods Market Lamar - Austin, TX - 10 am

6/12/14 - The Roost - Austin, TX - 11 pm

6/6/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 10 pm

5/23/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 9 pm

5/3/14 - Pecan Street Festival - Austin, TX - 5 pm - Red River Stage

5/3/14 - Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX - 1 pm - with Yuma

4/26/14 - Nomad Bar - Austin, TX - 8 pm

4/11/14 - Holy Mountain - Austin, TX - 10 pm

4/4/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX - 9 pm

4/1/14 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX - 10 pm

3/12/14 - 219 West - 9 pm

3/10/14 - Brass House Tavern - 11 pm

3/8/14 - Red Eyed Fly - 9:30 pm

2/22/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

2/17/14 - Brass House - Austin, TX

2/1/14 - The Mix - San Antonio, TX - with The Rosedale Highs and The Saarinens

1/18/14 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

1/8/14 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX - part of Free Week Austin!

2013

ALBUM RELEASE PARTY! - 12/7/13 - The Parish Underground - Austin, TX - 9 pm - Featuring Erin Ivey and DJ Mixer Rogers!

11/8/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

10/12/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

9/29/13 - The Pecan Street Festival - Austin, TX

9/21/13 - The Parish Underground - Austin, TX - part of the

International Pop Overthrow Festival!

9/17/13 - The Carousel Lounge - Austin, TX

8/31/13 - Rockin' Tomato - Austin, TX

8/30/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

8/13/13 - Lucky Lounge - Austin, TX

7/31/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

7/11/13 - Gypsy Lounge - Austin, TX

7/3/13 - Gypsy Lounge - Austin, TX

6/29/13 - Rockin' Tomato - Austin, TX

6/6/13 - Frank - Austin, TX

5/23/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

4/27/13 - Club De Ville - Austin, TX

4/18/13 - Headhunters - Austin, TX

4/4/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

3/19/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

3/14/13 - Headhunters - Austin, TX

3/7/13 - Club De Ville - Austin, TX

2/13/13 - Headhunters - Austin, TX

1/31/13 - Headhunters - Austin, TX