Mahto & The Loose Balloons – “On Air”

Mahto & The Loose Balloons, led by Mahto Addison‑Browder in Johnson City, have put together a live EP titled “On Air”. The lineup features Mahto on vocals, guitar and piano, with Will Diebold on bass, Niko Graham on drums, Ella Patrick on fiddle and Travis F. Welch on guitar. These songs were captured during appearances on shows hosted by JP Parson, Tea Wimmer and Kevin Edwards, which adds local flavour to the project. You hear the crackle of the room and the way the hosts just point a mic at them and say go. It’s not a polished studio take and it puts you right there.

The EP includes the first recording of “Onions”, based on a playful family story. There’s also a new take on “Virginia Side” with Momma Molasses jumping in without knowing the song and only realising mid‑performance that it’s about visiting her in Bristol, VA. Those little risks and laughs make the record endearing. They wanted to share these songs with people who might never hear them otherwise, like commuters stuck in traffic. Some tunes have appeared before and will likely reappear later, making this a snapshot of where they are and where they’re headed.

They’ve been playing at The Hideaway, Lily’s Snack Bar, and even at a new post office opening. It makes me want to see them live. The experience is engaging. Give “On Air” a spin and follow https://www.instagram.com/mahtoandthelooseballoons/ online to see what they do next this year.