 |
Jon Muq by Morgan Wommack
These days the world is sad, so I wanted to make happy songs," says singer/songwriter JON MUQ. "I wanted to write songs that connected with the listener in a very personal way. When someone listens to my music, it’s not just about me and what I’m singing… I think these songs can speak many languages, depending on what you want from them.”
Born in Uganda and now living in Austin, Texas, music is part of a larger conversation Jon Muq is engaging in with the world. Drawing from African as well as Western musical trends and traditions, he creates songs as offerings to the world, designed to settle into everyday life and provoke reflection and resilience. Muq explains, "This song is about the appreciation of my voice being heard as a migrant moving to and navigating a fast-paced new culture. If you have an opportunity, let your voice be heard.”
With heartfelt lyrics and melody, captured brilliantly by producer Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) and his hand-picked session musicians (Jay Bellerose [drums], Tommy Brenneck [bass/guitar], Tom Bukovac [guitar], Mike Rojas [keys], and Sam Bacco [percussion]), “Hear My Voice” offers a bright, light guitar part and cheerful percussion with a tinge of melancholy in the melody. The song feels like sunlight and love and warmth, and Muq has a talent to create music that can speak to all equally. Auerbach is also behind the production of Muq’s upcoming album Flying Away, to be released later this year.
Watch Video Here:
Hot on the heels of the “Hear My Voice” release, Muq will be embarking on a North America Tour this Spring and Summer, on which he’ll be able to share his universally uplifting craft. Being from such a different part of the world, Muq is looking forward to “discovering more” about the U.S. “It’s always a pleasure to tour with amazing musicians. I’m excited,” he says. Kicking off April 15th in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live with GRAMMY®-nominated Valerie June (who shares the first four dates with him) and wrapping up on August 16th at Steamboat Springs, CO’s Strings in the Mountain, Muq will play his soulful music all over the country, at many incredible venues and festivals, including: Bonnaroo, Smoky Hill River Festival, Woof Stock, Calgary Folk Festival, Red Ants Pants Festival, Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, and more.
Muq’s experiences as a child in Uganda and as a man in America give him a unique perspective on the world he’s addressing. “I grew up in a very different life, where so many people pass through hard times just because they don’t have much. Our biggest issue was food scarcity. Then I came to a different world, which gave me a picture of how to write a song that can find balance with everyone wherever they are, whether they have a lot or not much.” As he completes his debut with producer Dan Auerbach and tours with Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Amythyst Kiah, Corinne Bailey Rae, and others, Muq is expanding the scope of his music to speak to more and more people.
Though Muq currently calls Austin home, he’s on the road more than he is in Texas, touring frequently and bringing his sunny songs to audiences of all kinds. “When I arrived in America, I was coming from a different part of the world, and I was very lost. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what was coming tomorrow." After first coming across western music through finding a CD of supergroup U.S.A. For Africa's charity single "We Are The World" (the 1985 benefit single featuring Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, and Cyndi Lauper, among dozens of others) and hearing the song's message and intention, Muq was lead to pursue music even more fervently. I was just following instinct. I always thought, if I can communicate with people through music, it will make me feel like I am not alone. I can speak to people very intimately using music… Everything happened because I was following sound. I was chasing it. I was just singing."
Though Muq currently calls Austin home, he’s on the road more than he is in Texas, touring frequently and bringing his sunny songs to audiences of all kinds. “When I arrived in America, I was coming from a different part of the world, and I was very lost. I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what was coming tomorrow." After first coming across western music through finding a CD of supergroup U.S.A. For Africa's charity single "We Are The World" (the 1985 benefit single featuring Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, and Cyndi Lauper, among dozens of others) and hearing the song's message and intention, Muq was lead to pursue music even more fervently. I was just following instinct. I always thought, if I can communicate with people through music, it will make me feel like I am not alone. I can speak to people very intimately using music… Everything happened because I was following sound. I was chasing it. I was just singing."
|
No comments:
Post a Comment