Mascot's Distance

Mascot’s Distance is a four piece ensemble out of New York City featuring songwriter/producer Jordon Rothstein (keys and vocals), Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw (bass and backing vocals), Yutaka Uchida (drums and backing vocals) and Erika Dyer (backing vocals and percussion). The band fuses sophisticated jazz-inflected pop with home grown Roots Americana. A cross pollination of Steely Dan meets Randy Newman with a contemporary modern sound. The band has released three albums receiving much critical acclaim, “The Mascot’s Distance LP” 2004, “The Mascot’s Distance EP” in 2006 and “Chasing Pixie Dust on a Cheese-A-Cycle “ in 2009. After a five year hiatus the band has reunited with a renewed energy and focus on touring and recording throughout 2015 and beyond.

Critics say:

“Mascot’s Distance, at last an original sound in that spiny, sparkling streak of sardonic American music occupied by Steely Dan. Very reminiscent of the seductive hooks & jazz influenced energy featured in the great work of The Style Council.” By Robert Whyte (The Village Voice)

“It would be too easy to write off Mascot’s Distance as disciples of Ben Folds Five or Keane. Sure, they all boast stellar line-ups and ultra catchy melodies, but that is as far as the comparisons should go. Musically, they venture into the jazz influenced pop realm of Steely Dan, complete with all of the dark humor.” By Marco Passarelli (The New Yorker Magazine)

“The use of sweet chords & rhythms combined with bitter lyrics, a pervasive thread in the efforts of Mascot’s Distance. The synthesis of jazzy, poppy melodic hooks with a glimmering glimpse of the darker side of the picket fence apple pie America.” By A.J. Maloney (The Daily News)