Muo Duo – Afterpop

By starrymag | October 31, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Muo Duo has been described as “genre-bending.” How would you describe your sound?

A) Here’s the 15-second elevator pitch: Our music is like The Beatles, but with the last fifty years of musical context. Like if they had all of the music that exists today to draw inspiration from – hip hop, pop, punk, indie. A little bit of everything.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

Winter’s favorite artist is Taylor Swift.

I like the Beatles, Tyler the Creator, J Dilla, Saba, Smino, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Mac Miller

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new single “Bunny Song.”

A) An Alice in Wonderland story captures the emotional weight of love and loss. Celebrating the beauty of life and taking the good with the bad leaves you with a fantastical indie pop finale that feels like a cross between “Hey Jude” and everything that has come from it since. “I’ll love you in all the ways always. I’ll meet again with you someday” is what you are left with after everything is said and done. Muo Duo will return.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think that fans can connect a wide range of experiences to the song. Whether it is a friend, family member or romance, everyone can connect their own story to the message of love and loss that is infused throughout “Bunny Song.”

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The inspirating behind the video was we wanted to make it feel like a surreal storybook to reflect the song. We filmed it in Central Park to get the classic New York feel. Stop motion animation mixed with the shots make it magical realism to the max.  I think the video helps balance the message of love and loss with an innocent lighthearted feeling because the song is more about appreciating all of the time spent with someone rather than focusing on what’s gone.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) Usually, I create the music first and mumble about until the lyrics form from the universe. The words come together from the energy that the music is putting out. That is what really defines the mood and story of the song.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) All of the music is produced by me using everything from samples to live instruments to bird sounds. Any noise is fair game.

 

Q) What are some themes that you explore on your new EP Afterpop?

A) The project is about capturing the energy of the moment for us. It reflects New York City, where we currently live in songs like “Jungle City.” Leaving behind your anxiety and insecurity is another big part of the songs like “Ruby Rose” and “Brainwaves.” Leaving behind the real world for something more ideal is another big theme that runs throughout the project.

 

Q) Which tracks on the EP challenged you the most creatively?

A) The biggest creative challenge in creating the EP was pulling from as many different sounds and genres as possible while also keeping the music as accessible as possible. We really think there is something for everyone on this project even if you may not like one track as much, another will take a turn that you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

 

Q) What song(s) holds a special significance for you and what makes it so special?

A) “Muo Duo Show” definitely has a significant feeling for us because it acts like our theme song. The hook is one of my favorites that I’ve written. Imagining us in our own TV show where anything is possible was a cool concept to work with.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) We hope that listeners come out of the EP feeling like they’ve heard a project like they’ve never heard before. The genres clash together in just the right way and there is an anticipation like you never know what will come next. I definitely want people to feel excited for what the future will hold for us after listening to the project. Only up from here.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) The electricity of the city is just special to perform in. Little clubs on the Lower East Side inspire the music so it’s great to play in that setting all the time. Times Square is another great venue even if you are doing impromptu improvisational shows in the middle of the crowds.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) We would love to have rappers like Tyler the Creator, Denzel Curry, and Saba drop a verse on one of our songs. And it would also be awesome to have the producing chops of Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Badbadnotgood involved, too.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Been loving the new Madison Beer album. The songwriting and production are just operating on an extremely high level. And it’s dripping with nostalgia. There’s just another great idea around every corner on that record.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think social media is a good way to show what goes on behind the music and to give people an idea of our personality and style that goes into the songs. Visuals are really important to us because we collaborate with a lot of contemporary visual artists like Alison Blickle, Christian Schumann, Aya Uekawa, Joseph Ayers and more. So, we want to post their work and share the visual vibes that are going on alongside our music.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) We’d, of course, like to thank everyone who has supported us so far and we’re just hoping we can come through to play some big shows for everyone soon! We’ve got some really good songs in the works so get hyped for what’s coming next.

 

 

Stream the Album Afterpop

 

Watch The Video For “Bunny Song”