MSPAINT: The Eccentric Enigma of Oblivion Access

Last night marked the commencement of the second installment of Oblivion Access, an eagerly anticipated music festival. Although it was a smaller night leading up to the full multi-venue takeover over the weekend, the lineup was undeniably impressive. Acts like Spirit Of The Beehive, Narrow Head, Duster, and Chat Pile graced the stage throughout the late evening and into the night. Amidst this remarkable roster, one artist managed to stand out—the enigmatic and uncategorizable quartet from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, known as MSPAINT.

MSPAINT: Defying Genre Conventions at Oblivion Access:
MSPAINT embodies the spirit of Oblivion Access—an event known for its heavy, brooding, and aggressive music that defies traditional genre definitions. The festival lineup is filled with experimentalists from various corners of the music scene, and MSPAINT’s peculiar blend of synth-driven punk has not only garnered significant attention with their album “Post-American,” one of this year’s best releases, but has also left people puzzled, struggling to encapsulate their distinctive essence. Their music is uniquely suited for Oblivion Access, and after witnessing their set, my colleague Tom Breihan aptly described it as “elite weirdo shit.”

Unpredictability on Display:
MSPAINT’s performance, even in its brevity, leaves room for interpretation. As a first-time observer, I expected a rawer and more frenzied rendition compared to their recorded album. I anticipated that Post-American’s corroded synthscapes would erupt into walls of distortion as the band dialed up the aggression. However, the opposite occurred. While frontman Deedee prowled the stage with the intensity of a hardcore vocalist, and remnants of the genre could still be discerned in MSPAINT’s music, it became evident that they could effortlessly transition into a vaguely intense synth-pop act. This revelation emerged early in their set when they delivered “Information” and “Think It Through” with fierce energy, accompanied by an oddly shimmering clarity that left the audience perplexed. Perhaps it was intentional—an ingenious diversion. As the set progressed, predominantly following the sequence of Post-American, MSPAINT intensified the tension, growing incrementally louder and more feral. It was during the slightly slower and spaciously atmospheric tracks like “Decapitated Reality” and “Post-American” that the room’s atmosphere transformed into a distorted storm, festering with anticipation. The album’s dramatic and emotive duo, “Titan Of Hope” and “Flowers From Concrete,” became a climactic finale, with howls and synths reverberating throughout the sweat-drenched space.

Unconventional Harmony in the Heat:
Austin was engulfed in an oppressive heatwave, and even at night, the cramped venue-based festival offered little respite. Surprisingly, these circumstances seemed tailor-made for MSPAINT, as the hazy humidity in the room accentuated the sensation of screaming through an oppressive haze—a signature characteristic of their music. Deedee quickly became drenched in sweat, finding no relief from an outfit that featured one cutoff sleeve and one cutoff pant leg. He thrashed about, roaring with an uncontainable energy. Some responded to their music with hardcore enthusiasm, igniting mosh pits. However, just as frequently, MSPAINT’s music yielded yet another unexpected reaction: people danced.

The Intriguing Mystery of MSPAINT:
Within the context of a festival like Oblivion Access, MSPAINT could be perceived as a band partially embraced by the hardcore community. Yet, witnessing their songs come to life—captivating and exhilarating, presented in a new light against