Catch up with Indiana-based indie-rocker Mucklo (Michael James Hall) and listen to his single, "The Lease" off his debut EP, Personas.
What first got you interested in music?
Mucklo: I grew up around it. My father was a touring musician in the early eighties in a band called Ambush. He also recorded songs at home and I grew up listening to his originals.
Do you remember the first song you wrote?
Haha, yes actually. It was called, "The Man Of Disaster". My longtime friend from childhood and I wrote it and recorded it on a four-track tape recorder in my garage when we were twelve.
Which musicians have you been influenced by?
My playing is inspired a lot by Alain Johannes, John Frusciante, and Robert Fripp.
What were your inspirations behind your single, "The Lease"?
"The Lease" is inspired by my friend Jess. She passed away last year and this song was written a few months afterwards. She was luminous. We were roommates and frequently jammed so much that she knew how to play many of my songs.
Could you tell us more about your debut EP, Personas?
Yes, it is a six song EP which I wrote, recorded, and mixed myself. It has melodic driving rhythms with a splash of madness with concepts that range from the monotonous everyday lifestyles of societal normalcy to bridging spiritual realms.
Is there a track off that record you're most excited to share with your fans?
Probably "Shangri La". It's the only acoustic song on the album, but I wanted it on there because a lot of the songs I do record are acoustically dominant.
How would you sum up Personas in one sentence?
Its a lo-fi cocktail of noise and suspenseful grooving rhythms.
What do you hope listeners are able to take away from your music?
That it feels authentic or relatable.
Is there anything you want to add?
Big thanks to The Music Rag.