Muscle

This project just hit the headline in my own view. Muscle is a solo project consisted of a single man who wants to maintain a confined identity, but that doesn't mean that his music doesn't just completely kick ass. Based all around the 80s Muscle is a awesomely defined artist. Having said that, and having discovering their first EP via FaceBook, I decided to chat with the guy before I gave out a review of his music. Take a little gander below.

I know that when I asked about the interview, you said you were trying to stay as anonymous as possible. However, is there anything you can tell us about yourself or personal life?

Muscle - "Well, I'm just a guy who makes music. I have been playing in bands all my life with mediocre success, I have some albums and tours under my belt. However I've recently discovered a new world of possibilities working as a solo artist and I'm excited about the future."

The title of your project is "Muscle". Did you name your project this because you have a thing for exercise? Or was it just to celebrate the action heroes of the 80s?

Muscle - "The name just struck me like a lightning, it felt perfect from the start and I was absolutely in the zone when I started to create the artist further. Sure I'm a huge fan of weight-training, bodybuilding and all sorts of physical events where you crush your past self to pieces. But Muscle is more than that. Muscle is nobody and everybody at the same time. I make music for the people who want to get carried away and walk the beat as the ultimate version of themselves."

And, well, that brings me to another question: You drag almost all your influences from the 80s. What makes that time period so attractive to yourself?

Muscle - "To me it's the decade of freedom and possibilities. Future looked so amazing in the 80s as opposed to the shades dystopia we get to witness these days. The 80s won't come back but we can still rock the true spirit of the 80s now over thirty years later."

Are there any musicians from the 80s that you really took an inspiration from, or are you trying to be as individual as possible?

Muscle - "There is obviously a battalion of greatness ranging from Luther Vandross to Ratt, but if I get to say one artist, it would be David Lee Roth.To me Diamond Dave is the greatest person that has ever taken his stride on this planet and his persona inspires me everyday."

And, how long have you been creating this funky music? Do you have a long career in it, or is this something you just started up in? Also, did you ever have any experience in any other projects?

Muscle - "I've been making music a long time now, almost two decades. I've been experimenting with producing music a few years and now it was the time to pop it out for the world to see."

Again, noting the anonymity note, but how many are involved in Muscle and what brought you together?

Muscle - "There are some additional characters involved, for example the 'GGC' which is my personal Gym-Groupie choir. Me and the girls go back a long way. "GGC" did a fantastic performance on the title track of the EP "The Pump". A great artist called Youp Wehnes also did the art for the cover. Other than that it's just me."

Now, let's talk about your signing to FutureCity Records. Obviously, the label is definitely up your alley considering their all about really retro sounding albums. Is this why you chose them as your label?

Muscle - "Yeah, I wanted to have a good platform to start my career and Future City was the perfect choice. They have great artists in their roster and working with them couldn't be any smoother."

And did they approach you, or did you approach them? In other words, how exactly did you get signed to them?

Muscle - "I think we approached each other simultaneously. We both wanted to work with one another so it has been a love-relationship from the start."

When it came to your newest album, what exactly were you trying to write? Because, I see that the title track was fairly about love making and the sort. Were you tackling the classic 80s theme of hot and heavy romance, or a bunch of different aspects?

Muscle - "I wanted the first EP to be as varied as possible, with every song having it's own flavor. A hot romance is always on my list and I wanted to create a subtle sexual tension for the EP."

Now, the cover art for your album is quite delicious. Again, I could see this being on the cover of an 80s movie. Why did you choose this cover art? Is the person on the album anyone you know, or just some digital rendering?

Muscle - "I worked on the cover with aforementioned Youp Wehnes. We went through some ideas and ended up choosing this particular cover. I'm afraid the beautiful lady on the cover is well on her fifties now so I must confess we have never met."

I also see that you describe the album's concept as being "...based on the soul-shattering, cocaine fueled, world-record breaking Top-Gun workout that should once occur in everyone's life. The Pump." Is the Pump supposed to represent just a physical exercise, mental, or even just a lifelong workout?

Muscle - "I just read a comment on Facebook where someone said that he had the best workout of his life while he listened to "The Pump" and that is just as good as it gets. I tried to create a solid background for a beast of a weight training session. Anyway, life is all about improving and bettering yourself be it painting, writing, dancing or cooking. I hope to inspire people to excel."

I could totally see these songs being used in a video game, to be honest. Do any of your influences shoot from gaming, or not?

Muscle - "Well, I remember a certain Nintendo-pistol that couldn't handle my grip strength when I tried the Duck Hunt-game for the first time back in the day. I don't play video games but I have already been approached by a development team so the first video game with a Muscle song in it will see the light of day this year."

I notice a theme of your project is just based on sex appeal in a sense. From the cover of the album, to your steamy Valentine's day photo on FaceBook, to just the vast amount of naked man flexing their muscles. Do you think sex appeal is a major part of Muscle?

Muscle - "Of course! Sex is in our nature and DNA, so why hide it? I want to see people saying to special strangers 'Hey, why don't we get rid of these heavy clothes and dance to the new Muscle album.'"

And, how about your next album? Do you have any idea as to where you're heading with that? Or are you not even in that phase as of this moment?

Muscle - "I have a gazillion of ideas. I have a plan ready for Muscle and I'm currently at the first steps. Future releases are already thought up and in the works. I shoot for the stars."

Lastly, I'd like to thank you for this throwback of the album. Do you have anything you wish to say here to any fans, or just any messages you want to throw out to the public?

Muscle - "Thank you too for the interview! I want to thank each and everybody who's been listening to my music. I'm very happy about the positive feedback I have gotten! Together we can make the muscle grow!"