If you like your pop music with a retro soul twist, then you really ought to check out Munk Duane! As well as producing fantastic tunes like We’ve Talked About This Before, Munk is also a successful film composer, showing his talent really has no bounds. If you liked the track, you can find out more about this amazing artist below!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track called We’ve Talked About This Before. What can you tell us about the song?
Lyrically, the song highlights the difficulty of dealing with loved ones as they age and leaning into new expressions of love through patience. Conversation loops become commonplace, especially with dementia patients. They become stuck on repeat and frequently address the same topic multiple times in a single conversation. The song is about trying to see the loop like a “needle skipping on your favorite song” and just allowing it to play out like it’s the first time you’ve heard the story, because sadly, it may soon be the last.
Musically, We’ve Talked About This Before tips the hat to the soul influences I’ve proudly worn on my sleeve since day 1. With the current popularity of retro soul and awesome bands like Black Pumas, St Paul & The Broken Bones and The Drip renewing people’s excitement for that classic sound, I can understand why that term retro soul has been used to describe my sound. Given that company, I’m totally OK with it but it’s not a conscious contrivance. It’s just the music I’ve always loved.
How has the reception to the track been so far, and where can it be purchased?
I’ve been really fortunate that this song, and my recent releases in general, have found a broad audience not only in my home country of the U.S., but also in Europe. I think I’ve had more reviews from the UK than I have at home on this one. Maybe it’s time for a tour?
Obviously, you can stream the song anywhere that streaming happens but if you are one of the few rare blessed souls that wants to buy my music, you can do that on Bandcamp at munkduane.bandca…p.com/
Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?
I have had a ton of film composing work since the song came out, which has kept me super busy. That said, I do plan for another single release by late spring.
Are there any plans to release a full length album or EP anytime soon?
I love and prefer the full length format but I’m always concerned given the way audiences absorb music right now that it would fall on deaf ears. It’s likely that I will do it anyway as an artistic expression, sooner rather than later. I certainly would love it if people would sit down and listen to a longer formatted narrative that is constructed with intention. You know, I would love to release a full-length vinyl. I have wanted to do that forever.
You’ve also composed music for film soundtracks. Do you have any projects on the go at the moment?
I have several I’m currently working on that I’m still in the cone of silence for, but one I can talk about is this beautiful animated short called Book! by animator Chris Georgenes. That one was just released this week (week of March 25th) and I’m immensely proud of this labour of love. Chris has been on-again/off-again on this project since 2009 and his daughter, who was 6 at the time, is narrating the story. It really is just the most adorable thing ever. The music I composed for it pays homage to the history of animation with nods to composers Vince Guaraldi and Carl Stalling, among others. The whole film is only about 2 minutes long but I’m hugely proud of this work.
Your music has a soulful indie-pop sound. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
Artists like Prince, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder are core. I met James Brown ever so briefly when I was a kid. That encounter sent me into a deep dive of his catalogue and changed me forever. Right now, I can’t get enough of folks like Lake Street Dive, Black Pumas, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka and Nathaniel Rateliff, just to name a few.
You’re from Boston. What is the local music scene like at the moment?
Decentralised. There is still a lot of passion for music in this town, but it has changed in recent years as prices have escalated so drastically that artists can’t afford to live in the city anymore. Venues have been shutting down and are being replaced by expensive condos, driving shows to living rooms, basements and the suburbs.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
More composing, several production projects for other indie artists and my next release. I have a super busy gig schedule through the end of the Summer including a few festivals. I’ll be performing at the Project Arts Summer Concert Series on the Waterfront in Plymouth, MA on June 26th with the full band.
My full schedule can be found on my Spotify open.spotify.com…ygcTPQ
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I so wish I did. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to come to the UK and perform. Know any promoters, venues or festivals looking for a retro-soul artist from the U.S.?
Any last words for the fans?
Just a sincere and humble thank you to the people that continue to support what I do. I know there are a zillion choices out there these days and it’s so easy for an indie artist to get lost in the sea of sound, so anyone who takes time to really listen, and sometimes even reaching out to me about their experience with my music, is literally the fuel that keeps me going as an artist.