Mux Mool - Planet High School

Ghostly International's introduction to Minnehappiness native Mux Mool's new project Planet High School out now.

Despite being accused as anti-human, repetitive, soulless, whatever, electronic music attracts the more devoted of idealists—the vinyl purist, the underground hero, the anonymous producer, etc. For Mux Mool, all his music connects to a certain outlook on life—basically, that the pre-established trajectory for adult life is being completely reimagined. He explains the concept behind his new album, Planet High School here and delves further into the concept in our Q & A below.
 
What high school did you go to?
I actually went to 2 different high schools. The first was Red Wing Senior High School in Red Wing, Minnesota. I went there for 9th and 10th grade. Over the summer I applied for an arts school called the Perpich Center for Arts Education (also known as Arts High) in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

How did you find your experience?
It was pretty awful for me. I had about 2-3 friends in Red Wing all together. I also started 10th grade at about 285 lbs. and had just gotten braces. I was also a weird kid who just drew pictures all the time. I would say Red Wing is not particularly known as a center for culture, and yeah, it was awkward. But 11th and 12th grade was much better. I moved to St. Paul, MN and lived with my dad and went to school with all the rejects who go to an art high school. Also, my best friend also got into the school so we got to hang out again. Arts High was a semi-open campus situation and you could call your teachers by their first names and didn’t have to ask to go to the bathroom or wander the hills. But, I hate homework, and so I never did any. Thus, I never graduated.

What music were you into?
Oh boy... uh I listened to a lot of Led Zeppelin, Beastie boys, Fatboy Slim and the soundtrack to Escape from LA, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk. Uh, some Jimi Hendrix mixed in there, oh and also quite a bit of trance and house, but I listened to those in mixes mostly. Sasha's Xpander - loved that one.

What is Planet High School?
The Earth, as I see it.

What is the Planet High School cover all about?
It’s about showing all the things I have to do, some of the things I do for fun, how I’ve had to learn to do a lot of things and fill a lot of roles that I didn’t expect to, to be a professional musician. I just really don’t feel very one sided or one dimensional. I’m a full time musician which means that everything I do goes into that. It’s not always about just grinding and FORCING music out because you’re “hustling.” It’s about how I love the music that I do, therefore I do a lot of other things for it to make sure it’s presented properly. I guess that even for an internet savvy and internet oriented artist, I had no idea how much emailing I’d have to do. I don’t have a good mind for emailing.

If you could reform education in two ways, what would they be?
I would say that after 6th grade, kids shouldn’t have to ask to go to the bathroom. That’s just demeaning, but you don’t know any better, but really that’s weird! Also, my experience was one where I learned everything in my classes but struggled with the homework. The system itself is set up to herd the flock or designed for the majority. But I’ve known my whole entire conscious life what I wanted to do. I think if I had been allowed to work on those skills, or at LEAST not constantly get in trouble for drawing during class, not only would I have excelled in school, but I probably would have felt better throughout. Also, make school later in the day or at least mix up the schedule a bit. I have never been nor will I ever be a morning person, and I don’t even get to choose that. That’s biology. If every day is a terrible struggle just to stay awake, not only are you not learning, but you just despise what you’re doing. At least, I definitely did.

Mux Mool - Drum EP 2

Grab it here with a donation as low as $free.99

Ghostly Gift of Mux

If you've followed this blog for more than two months and haven't been to iTunes yet to purchase any of Mux Mool's electronic crunch of headnodic beats, SHAME ON YOU! The only reason you wouldn't already have his music is because you haven't heard it enough. Today I'm closing this gap for you. Because today I received a Ghostly International newsletter with a FreEP of past Mux Mool beats. Enjoy, but don't forget to support this homegrown beatsmith. His first official full-length, Skulltaste, drops March 23rd. You can preview some tasty morsels here.

Mux Mool, Viking EP

Mux Mool, SKULLTASTE teaser

Mux Mool will be dropping a digital-only single January 26th called "Lucky Linda." His debut album, SKULLTASTE, should be out early next year. The below is an excerpt taken directly from the Ghostly International site in a valiant attempt at describing the indescribable.

"At first blush, Mux Mool’s “Lady Linda” seems an unconventionally low-key choice as the first single from the hyperactive producer. “Lady Linda (from Mux Mool’s debut full-lengthSKULLTASTE) doesn’t come roaring out of the gates—rather, it takes its time, shifting from foot to foot like a trench-coated figure in an alley, clutching a bone-dry breakbeat with a pocket full of vintage keyboard tones. But as the track progresses, the underlying sophistication of Mux Mool’s homespun hip-hop begins to take hold and “Lady Linda” reveals herself, blossoming with lush Detroit strings and a melancholy melody. By contrast, B-side “Hog Knuckles” picks up the pace with a deft cut `n paste guitar riff and a blithely stuttering beat. Taken as a whole, then—a warm, sweet A-side and a tart B-side—Mux Mool’s first single may in fact be the perfect introduction to the multifaceted artist. As with all Mux’s best work, the music’s pleasures lurk just below the surface."

Drunken Post: Mux Mool's VJ

Mux Mool is the ma*fuckin* man! And now you can get a healthy dose of chopped-up retro movies, 8-bit goodness, and 80's visuals with your helping of electro beat bumps...

Keep a lookout on the Ghostly International label for upcoming releases. Props for the Big Quarters stickers!

***Drunken Post idea stolen from the seminal Minneapolis taste-making blog Switchblade Comb

Let the weekend begin!

It may be a little early but when Santigold comes to your town it makes the weekend official.

THURSDAY NIGHT

FRIDAY NIGHT

SATURDAY NIGHT (Last Show at the Dinkytowner)

HEADS UP!

Mux Mool, June 6th at the Uptown Bar!!!

...much more to come.

Urb Next 100, but I already knew

Urb recently released their latest "Next 100" where they predict and choose 100 of the hottest new musical acts ready to blow.  If you've been following this blog, many of their choices shouldn't come as a surprise.  I've been all over a lot of these artists for a while, especially since some of them are homegrown from Minnehappiness!

Buff 1: I came across his myspace a couple months ago late one night and immediately became a fan.  That same night I purchased his "There's Only One" from cdbaby.

Buff 1, "Beat the Speakers Up"

Muja Messiah: If you live in Minneapolis you have no excuse for not knowing about this B-Boy D-Boy.

Mux Mool: Despite his new residence in the Big Apple, you should know about this genius electronic and visual artist because his roots are in the Minni Apple.  His collaboration with Big Quarters for the Fall In Love EP is a treat.  But his solo work is where he really shines:

Mux Mool, "Night Court"

DJ U-Tern: Not only is his blog one of my favorites, but his editing and ear for remixes is super classy.  His edit of MJ's Pretty Young Thing is tops on my list in the age of edits and Ableton.  It's near impossible to better any Michael Jackson song, but I prefer his edit to the original PYT.  Bold.

Michael Jackson, "Pretty Young Thing (Demo version) (U-Tern edit)"

Ninjasonik: Nu-age dance groups are a dime-a-dozen these days.  These guys don't stand out because they're on the next level or even exploring the horizon of where dance music is going... oh, wait.  It is where dance music is going.  Kids can only take so many instrumental drum loops, lazer'd synths and fuzzed out electro.  They need a story or just some ridiculous raps that speaks about what's on everyone's mind.  Like tight pants and why they spell their name with a 'k'.  They also happen to be on a label that is fiendin to blow, too.  Peep out all of the artists on Flamin' Hotz Records.   Don't be surprised if you catch hardcore rappers hopping on some 120 bpm indie-dance-floor killers in the near future.  

Ninjasonik, "With The K, Not The C"

Ninjasonik, "Internet Bitch"

Skyzoo: C'mon now.  This was easy.  Dude's been getting around the last few years.  He made hella noise with his 9th Wonder collabo Cloud 9.  He's my favorite emcee out of NY right now.  His delivery is extra crisp, his flow is nonchalant, and his wordplay is downright intricate.  Urb gets a late pass on this one.  If 9th Wonder co-signs an artist, they shouldn't be eligible for any "next" list.

9th Wonder, "Let It Bang feat Skyzoo & Ness"

The moral of the story?  Stick with me and you'll be ahead of the trends.

I'm out.  Shutting off the computer to listen to some S---K-Y---Z-O-O!  One!

Mux Mool Is EPIC

If I had to describe Mux Mool's music in one word, that's what it would be: epic.  I love his style.  Most electronic producers don't pay attention to the detail, but Mux Mool does (listen for the back beat @ 1:36 on "Night Court" as well as the sexy gasp @ 2:36).  He used to live in Minneapolis.  I don't know much about him, but I'm going to go ahead and claim this producto-genius and artist for Minneapolis.  He got too big for the Mini Apple and moved on to bigger things in the Big Apple.  I say good for him, though our music-scape now flies a little lower.

Mux Mool, "End Guy (Radio Edit)"

epic.

Mux Mool, "Night Court"

epic.

epic (drawing by Mux Mool)

epic (drawing by Mux Mool)

not epic (drawing by yours truly)