The Muster Point Project are a Canadian indie band with quite a unique sound, including a few different genres on new tune, Now We’re Successful. It’s a catchy song with a retro rock feel, making for one track that I just can’t get enough of! If you’ve not heard the track yet, don’t forget to try the stream at the end of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new single titled Now We’re Successful. What can you tell us about the track?
This song was inspired by a former colleague reaching out to me on LinkedIn after many years apart. The song is entirely fictional, stemming from the opening line, “How could you possibly know me, I’m not that man anymore”. I imagined that two former colleagues, when getting together after many years, might stretch the truth about their current status. It’s a fun song.
How has the reception to Now We’re Successful been so far, and where can it be purchased?
The song has garnered many positive reviews and has been featured in many articles. Those that have streamed it, like it, adding it to over a hundred playlists on Spotify with many people ‘saving’ it to listen to again. You can purchase the song on iTunes here: music.apple.com/…821045
Do you have any more singles planned for release soon?
Yes, I released a new song in August (This Town Has Changed), and I have more new music to be released on September 13th (Never Be The Same), October 14th (two songs in collaboration with Canadian Novelist Geoff Moore) and November 25th (I’ve Heard It All), all in anticipation of and leading up to TMPP’s upcoming album.
You have a new album coming out soon titled It Was Here He Received His Only Formal Education. When will the record be released?
The album will be released on November 30th. It’s a full length album with some released songs as well as some unreleased material.
What can you tell us about the album?
The songs on the new album all deal with loss and or remembrance. The act of remembering and the pain of loss always teaches us something, hence the title of the album, It Was Here He Received His Only Formal Education. To be released on all streaming platforms as well as on vinyl. The limited edition vinyl, as on all our physical albums, will contain at least one song not available on streaming services. Our last vinyl included an unreleased demo.
Why did you decide to create music under the The Muster Point Project moniker, instead of using your own name?
In Canada, many businesses have ‘Muster Point’ signs up in the parking lots of their buildings. I always liked the notion of all these businesses promoting the name of my band, so I leaned into it. Now I travel with ‘THE’ and ‘PROJECT’ decals, completing the signs I find as I ride my bike around town. Besides, there’s lots of Kevin Franco’s online, but only one Muster Point Project.
Your music has an indie-pop vibe with a retro sound. What/who are you most influenced by?
I listen to a wide variety of artists, and I’m sure they all influence me in some ways. I’ve always loved John Hiatt and John Prine as songwriters, both very skilled at injecting humour and realism as they told the most magnificent stories. But, let’s not forget about all of the other Johns that have influenced me over the years (Lennon, Mellencamp, Cash, Rotten, Fogerty, Legend, Cafferty, Denver, Anderson, Oats, Entwhistle…).
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I’ve started contributing a monthly article for Canadian Music Spotlight, focusing on the business of being an indie musician. In addition to that, we’re doing some collaborations with a Canadian novelist and a pop singer from the USA – hopefully we’ll see these early next year.
Do you have any other tour dates lined up for the UK?
We don’t have any tour plans at the moment, but are planning something for 2025. I love the UK, especially the North, which I’ve traveled extensively through. It would be a dream to play in York.
Any last words for the fans?
Discovering new music is key to breaking free from a monotonous existence, to sidestep the average, it is to participate and not spectate to what charms and inspires you. A big thanks to those that seek and discover, and for listening, streaming, liking, saving, following, buying, sharing, copying and stealing TMPP music. More new music coming, always.