Application to Amplify 817 – September 2024

"Biscuits & Gravy" was written and arranged by Neal McAlister and recorded at Cloudland Recording Studio.
Vocals: Neal McAlister
Guitar: Neal McAlister
Bass: Andrew Orozco (Velvet Smokeshow, Goodness Gracias, Coyote Cyanide)
Drums: Ryan Watson (Velvet Smokeshow, Goodness Gracias, Coyote Cyanide)
Mastering Engineer: Todd Pipes (Deep Blue Something)
Mixing Engineer: Peter Weirenga (Denver Williams & The Gas Money, Siberian Traps)
Recording Engineer: Joe Tacke (Mean Motor Scooter)

The rock duo MOHAYNOW is the studio project of Neal McAlister (Chillamundo, Goodness Gracias, Coyote Cyanide) and Andrés Arce, and Art Director Zach Dominguez. McAlister, a mainstay of the Fort Worth music community, has returned to his art in the studio since having suffered a two-year injury that prohibited him from walking in 2019. Since recovering, he and Arce have released two EPs, three singles, and have another single releasing the night of their performance on 6 July 2024 at Cicada.

McAlister attends songwriting groups, and supports other local acts by donating designs, photography services, and prints. He also co-owns Mark It! Records, a DFW / ATX / Denton record label that he formed with DFW local Josh Garcia (Grandma Mousey, Raccoon Brothers, Chingalotus) after both of their acts had been eschewed from their distribution "label" by the Chief Creative Officer with scant reason given and no opportunity for appeal. McAlister and Garcia determined that they would be able to do a more credible job of helping artists than their former distributor did. They were tired of the "big promises and small deliveries" modus operandi local labels tend to run on. The mission of their label is "to help artists get back to the act of making music".

McAlister is a DIYer, and cut his rock and roll teeth on stages at The Cellar, The Grotto, Lola's Saloon, Main at South Side, The Poop Deck, Boiled Owl, The Chat Room, Friday on the Green, and with Chillamundo was able to play some out of town. McAlister also famously toured Fort Worth with Chillamundo on 3 September 2017, playing ten shows in one day, a successful publicity stunt promoting the *Radio Is On* EP.

McAlister has generally given the limelight up in favor of doing the legwork in the various bands he's been in. He learned the "press side" of press releases working as an intern for American Way Magazine, and is generally capable of "reverse engineering" how to do anything that is not readily apparent. He is a capable designer, and has often found himself completing other's projects when deadlines approach, like when he worked as Managing Editor for En La Calle | On The Street Music and Lifestyle Magazine.

Arce's influence on the project has continued to increase. The recording project began as a way for McAlister to make art in the comfort of his bedroom while crippled. Once McAlister began searching for a band to perform the songs with, Arce was first drummer McAlister contacted after reaching out to his former bandmates (Goodness Gracias), only to learn that they had become too busy supporting artists who they began playing during McAlister's illness.

Arce and McAlister met one night in 2018 at Dr. Jeckyll's Beer Lab. Before the rest of Goodness Gracias had shown up to begin their three-hour set, McAlister was performing some songs solo, because the house was more packed than usual. Arce came in with a couple of friends, and offered to play the drums, since the house kit was still set up, and McAlister obliged. They performed "Pourin' Rain", and McAlister was flabbergasted at Arce's ability to carve out a pocket to a song he had never heard.

McAlister got Arce's contact information that night in 2018, but the two did not speak again until McAlister texted Arce late fall in 2021. The exchange went something like this:
McAlister: "Hey, I'm thinking of putting together an ensemble for these songs I've been releasing, would you be interested in sitting in on drums?"
Arce: "Sure"
Arce: "Who's this?"

The two have been rehearsing, and recently spent a full day at Cloudland Recording Studio tracking fourteen compositions. They're still expanding their catalogue, with the intent to eventually tour in support of their first full-length.

Mohaynow has had the privilege of working with a variety of local talent (not listed above) including Denver Williams, Sam Culp, Rick Williford, Joe Miller Gosch, and Juan Govea.

____________________
Sample tracks uploaded include:
"Biscuits & Gravy" – *Biscuits & Gravy* [2024]
"(This Universe Is) You + Me [Alt Mix]" – *Biscuits & Gravy* [2024]
"Dallas Women" – *Dallas Women* [2023]
"Just A Song" – *Sick* [2023]
———
Future: The Cicada - 6 July 2024 | "Biscuits & Gravy" release party
Cloudland Recording Studio - 9AM–5PM - 18 June 2024 | Studio Session
Pouring Glory - 12 June 2024 | Open Mic
Magnolia Motor Lounge - 19 March 2024 | Songwriter Night
The Cicada - 8 February 2024 | Guest Appearance
Magnolia Motor Lounge - February 2024 | Songwriter Night
Central Market - 30 December 2024 | Guest Appearance
Dr. Jeckyll's Beer Lab - 11 November 2024 | "Dallas Women" release party
———
https://www.mohaynow.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@mohaynow
https://www.tiktok.com/@mohaynowmusic
https://www.instagram.com/mohaynowmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/mohaynow