You can love or hate Australia’s electro whiz Muscles, but you cannot deny that his eclectic vocal harmonies, added to a combination of lo-fi house and hard techno sounds, is catchy enough to dance like you’re at a ‘90s disco rave.
Over the past two years, Muscles has come right out for his artist representation from being regularly rotated on Triple J, to headlining shows and supporting music greats such as Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers and other rising stars. Halfway through 2007, he found himself signed to Modular Music, and in September last year he released his debut album Guns Babes Lemonade.
He is now on his ‘The Lake Tour’ with tickets selling out faster than ice cream on a hot summer day. Ice Cream, the song which Muscles described as “the gateway to liking his music” hit number 14 on Triple J’s Hottest 100. An overwhelmed Muscles reminisces on the voting days. “I tell people not to vote for me. Then what does everyone do? They vote for me, number 14. It’s pretty crazy.”
Beneath Muscles’ musical exterior are strong influences such as Architecture in Helsinki, Pikelet, the E.L.F and more. However, lately he’s been having a lot of trouble listening to his favourites on his MP3 player. Miserably, he responds with, “My iPod? I just smashed it a few days ago, which is very depressing; thanks for bringing that up.” After rambling on about his semi-working iPod, he continues; “[choosing music], it is a bit of a random game, but I just click away until the music plays.”
A broken iPod is the least of Muscles’ worries because he is busy “mostly working on new material.” He emphasises, “Working on album two is the main priority.” He is hesitant to reveal too much on the new album, but mentioned that it should be out sometime in 2009. He also adds that next year his fans should expect something different.
“The Lake Tour is going to be the last Muscles tour in this format. I’m kind of coming up with a concept for a new live show which will incorporate the new album material.” Muscles talks about trying something different, including getting together with an orchestra. “Maybe I want to put a band together. Playing electronic music live has become really challenging. I need more human energy on stage, and I need to create some new instruments. I’m working on it. I don’t know if it’s going to work, but it’d be really exciting and crazy if it does.”
The Muscles experience is all about dancing. For those who have not experienced a show yet, Muscles advises, “Buy the album if you haven’t already. Know the tracks. A big part of my live show is knowing the songs. There really isn’t anything to look at, when I’m on stage by myself. So dance.”
Muscles keeps to just singing and playing on stage, but what’s unknown to the public is that he has a secret dance he hasn’t unveiled to any of his audiences yet. “I have one, it’s kind of dumb and lame,” he admits. “It’s called…the Muscle Hustle.” After foolishly mishearing the guy, hearing “rustle”, instead of “hustle”, Muscles bursts out: “The Muscle Rustle? That’s a great idea. Next show, I’ll pretend I’m a tree…leaf, and start rustling.”
There is no doubt that the next album will be a success, but on the odd chance, is there a possibility of a career change for Muscles? After suggesting a job in the ice-cream industry (and taking Mr Whippy out of business), Muscles exclaims that the thought is definitely out of the question. “It’s a good idea,” he continues. “But, I wouldn’t know what to do. Being an ice-cream man would be a very technical job. Don’t you have to go to uni and learn how to do it? Mixing the different flavours? I don’t know if I could do that!”
Maybe mixing ice-cream isn’t for Muscles, but at least he knows how to mix a wicked beat.
Muscles is currently in the middle of ‘The Lake’ tour, so make sure to catch the Muscle Hustle in your town.
Fri 28th March – Academy, Canberra
Sun 30th March – The Metro, Sydney
Thur 3rd April – Sydney Uni Manning Bar, Sydney
Fri 4th April – Wollongong Uni Bar, Wollongong
Wed 9th April – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Fri 11th April – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
Sat 12th April – Panthers, Port Macquarie
Sun 13th April – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
