Sleek Mystique

Marcos M Alonso and MJGillmer embarked upon their musical collaboration in 2003 joined later by Keiko Ooka supplying backing vocals as well as being responsible for recording and mixing. Their first project was to produce Rewriting Babylonia which was distributed via Internet to support the anti-Bush lobby prior to the November '04 U.S. elections. The piece received sporadic airplay on on FM Radio3 and was broadcast during a demonstration by U.S. Citizens outside their embassy in Madrid in protest against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. This first production by Sleek Mystique included the participation of two excellent musicians Amir Haddad on oud and saz and Pablo Martin on frame drums.

In November '04 Sleek Mystique produced another single Anarkistán commemorating the 70º anniversary of the death of Buenaventura Durruti, leader of the anarchist resistance, during the defense of Madrid in 1936. The single was mailed to branches of the CNT and FAI throughout Spain and France and distributed to libertarian bookshops. A few years later it became an emblematic 'hymn' to finish their initial live concerts.

Up until early spring '08 Sleek Mystique continued recording and mixing an increasing repertoire of songs in english and spanish not necessarily political in content but wired with social comment and musical journalism. Investing in equipment and a small arsenal of diverse instruments including dobro, acoustic bass, blues harps, keyboard, electric guitars, banjo and skin drums to accompany an eclectic program which, depending on the original lyrics and musical structure, inclined towards roots genres. In July '08, with the instrumental and vocal accompaniment of Paz Quiroga, they performed their first Madrid concert at ArteBar – La Latina. This was followed in by another two appearances in the same venue as well as regular performances at the Bambalam in Madrid's southwest. At present Sleek Mystique is preparing a number of new pieces to be included in their coming concerts. Their philosophy is that every live performance be different. Continually recycling to avoid routine is both a challenge to the band as well as their audience.