Why MisterWives Should Be Your New Favorite Indie Band

Updated on 8/12/2015 at 11:00 PM

You've likely heard MisterWives' upbeat hit "Reflections," but there are many more upbeat, melodic tunes that are sure to get you through your end of Summer slump. I had the pleasure of checking out their set at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco last weekend, and I have to say that it was the most fun I've had watching a band in a while. The NYC-based trio — vocalist Mandy Lee, drummer Etienne Bowler, and bassist Will Hehir — formed in late 2012 and released their debut solo album, Our Own House, in February 2015. Their brand of indie pop mixed with ska and reggae influences is evocative of groups like Tom Tom Club, Save Ferris, and most notably, No Doubt. Frontwoman Lee even took a page out of the Gwen Stefani handbook during their performance, dropping to a plank position on stage and doing push-ups while giving an inspirational introduction to the song, "Not Your Way." Here are three reasons that MisterWives should be on your radar.

Their sound is funky and upbeat and appeals to more than one type of music fan.

Do you love pop music? Are you into ska or reggae? Like listening to funk music and old soul? MisterWives' sound is literally all of those genres rolled into one. Their songs will absolutely remind you of '90s favorites like Save Ferris, Letters to Cleo, and No Doubt — they've even credited the band with inspiring their sound, saying, "No Doubt is most definitely our biggest band influence. I think as a band we all view them as big idols."

During their set on the Lands End stage, they broke up their roster of original tunes to play a quick cover of the Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hit "Uptown Funk," which fused so perfectly with their own setlist that you almost wished they would just perform the whole song.

Their music is empowering and makes a much-needed feminist statement.

Their name alone — MisterWives — is a play on the Mormon term "sister wives" and pokes fun at the fact that Mandy Lee is the band's only female member. About the gender-bending name, Lee has said, "Instead of a man marrying a bunch of women and them all becoming friends, we reversed the genders. I've run into a few Mormons while on tour who were not happy about [it]."

Along with their female-focused moniker, the band's songs are geared toward being yourself, bucking the trends, and not adhering to society's rules or expectations. Just like No Doubt's iconic "Just a Girl" back in 1995, hearing Lee croon lyrics like "This is my body / And you don't have a say / This is my own life / Not growing up to be a trophy wife," on "Not Your Way" is a refreshing, exciting change of pace from today's popular radio hits.

Mandy Lee is a multitalented musician and all-around badass.

The 23-year-old lead singer is full of energy — she even dropped to the stage to do push-ups while introducing the spirited anthem "Not Your Way," telling the crowd, "If you think that society's expectations for women and men are total, utter bullsh*t . . . this song is for you."

During the Outside Lands set, Lee's onstage vibrancy was reminiscent of a Tragic Kingdom-era Gwen Stefani, who was (and still is) well-known for her rambunctious stage antics. Not only did she kick, jump, and dance her way across the stage, but her earnest words between songs kept the crowd motivated and on their feet. She even surprised drummer Etienne Bowler by taking his place behind the kit for their rousing cover of "Uptown Funk."