Mazzy Star

USA, 1989–now

American duo of Hope Sandoval and David Roback, formed in 1988. 'Fade Into You' (1993) pairs slide guitar with slow tempo and low-register vocals.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Mazzy Star and 2 artists Mazzy Star influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Mazzy Star?

• The Velvet Underground — Roback's psychedelic guitar and the band's narcotic drift descend from the Velvet Underground — the paisley-underground lineage he came up through.
• The Byrds — The jangle and folk-rock bones under Roback's psychedelia come from the Byrds — the California lineage of the paisley underground he founded with Rain Parade.

Which artists did Mazzy Star influence?

• Beach House — The narcotic tempo and dusky female vocal of Mazzy Star are a documented touchstone for Beach House's mood.
• Cigarettes After Sex — Cigarettes After Sex are Mazzy Star's most direct heirs — Gonzalez cites the narcotic slowness and androgynous intimacy as the founding model.