Muckle Pup
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

Muckle Pup

muckle-pup-1.jpg

“I… find beauty in calm moments… muster the courage needed for dissent… and leave space in music for listeners to think. If there’s any time left after all that, I usually pick up a stringed instrument and sing a song or two.”

What’s your name then? Oh. And the name of your band…

“Muckle Pup.”
 
And what do you do?
“I… find beauty in calm moments… muster the courage needed for dissent… and leave space in music for listeners to think. If there’s any time left after all that, I usually pick up a stringed instrument and sing a song or two.”
 
When did you start doing that?
“I’ve been writing and recording a lot over the last four years, but only started sharing with the world in the winter of 2009.”
 
Why did you start doing that?
“Music’s in our blood, it’s only natural. There’s a tremendous book called This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel Levitin. In it he talks about how music is one of the most universal of human activities, present in every culture, that it may even have predated spoken language. Why not?”
 
Do you think you’re good at doing that?
“Writing good music is all about being honest with yourself. I’m getting better, but you have to stay on top of it. Bullshit creeps in when you’re distracted.”
 
If you weren’t doing that, what would you be doing?
“I have always been an avid fan of comic books and animations, so probably making graphic novels, hand drawn in pencil or charcoal. I read Shaun Tan’s The Arrival recently and it really reminded me how spectacular graphic novels can be.”
 
What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?
“The freedom in making music on your own. It’s never been easier to get some kit, learn to record music and distribute it. You can develop and express your style without having to convince anyone first that you’ll sell a ton of records. Of course that means you have to take responsibility for your own quality control…”
 
And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing?
“The uncertainty in the music industry. The internet put everything into a state of flux and it feels we’re still a long way from figuring out what’s next. Stuff like Spotify makes me hopeful though, we need something like that here in Australia.”
 
What’s you proudest moment of doing what you do?
“A lot of people tell me they get really chilled out watching my show, like they’ve been at some kind of dimly lit yoga session where they serve beer. I’m totally ok with that.”
 
And your least proud?
“I’m usually disappointed with anything I try to do quickly. Naturally, I’m incredibly slow at everything. I need to get more in touch with my inner sloth.”
 
When are you doing your thing next?
“I’m playing The Old Bar on Tuesday December 21 and The Bender Bar on Xmas Eve.”