Muph (Muph & Plutonic) (AUS)
Always known for adding a different mixture of hip hop to Australian listeners, Muph & Plutonic just released their second album ‘Silence The Sirens.’ Jon Emmenidis got a chance to sit down with MC Muphin to speak about the new project.
Website: Obese Records
Myspace: Myspace.com/muphplutonic
Your sophomore album ‘Silence The Sirens’ was released last month, how’s the response to that been?
Muph: So far so good. We’ve been really happy with the response and support we’ve seen since the album dropped. We’ve been touring the last few weeks and the shows have been great. There’s always that feeling of anxiety right before the album comes out, but we have no complaints at all with the reaction so far.
I understand the creative process for the new album was a lot different to that of the first album. What made this album different from your debut?
Muph: I suppose with this album there was a lot more back and forth with the actual process of creating each song. Instead of me just taking a beat and writing a song to it, then recording it, we did demo versions of almost all the songs. We would then critique the demos and re-write, re-edit and so forth. We put a lot more pressure on ourselves and each other. Overall, there was a lot more attention paid to detail than with ‘Hunger Pains’.
Now the name of the album is interesting in itself, ‘Silence The Sirens’ which is a play on Greek mythology? What’s the meaning behind the title?
Muph: It stems from the “Sirens” in Greek mythology, which were mermaid like creatures perched on the rocks. They would sing and draw in the boats to the rocks, sinking these boats and ultimately killing all onboard. The title track I guess sums up the comparison to this situation and the modern day sirens, which I see as everday distractions that often steer us away from our path or the direction we wish to head in. These “Sirens” can be anything from lack of motivation to addictions and so on. The album carries the loose theme that it is possible to live in our own isolated world but impossible to “silence” these “sirens”.
Interesting…You worked with Fatlip, who was a major influence on both you and Plutonic growing up. What was that like to work with one of your idols?
Muph: To be honest, we didn’t actually get to work closely to Fatlip, he was in L.A. However, it was a privilege to have him on our record. We were stoked when he agreed to lay down a verse for that track. We just knew he would suit that track, his sense of humor was something we thought would really work with the concept.
The lyrics on your albums are always something that the average listener can relate to, do you think this is a major reason for your success?
Muph: I think it definitely attributes to it. But I’d probably say it’s a balance between the subject matter and the production. I do find that the people who have supported us tend to enjoy that aspect of our music, so it certainly must have something to do with it.
I know Plutonic’s been busy since the release of your debut, what you been up to lately Muph?
Muph: Well, we’ve been doing the tour, but aside from that I’ve been working on some guest verses. I’d tell you with who, but I’d rather wait to make sure they are going to actually come out haha.
Haha, no doubt. Now Muph, you’re not the usual braggadocios emcee. What’s it like for a self confessed introvert to get on stage in front of sometimes thousands of people and rapping?
Muph: Performing live is my outlet and my release. I get a real adrenalin rush, mainly because I’m usually not that outspoken. At first it was a little difficult but I don’t really get that nervous anymore.
You & Plutonic recently did Block Party, any other gigs lined up for 2006?
Muph: Yep, we are currently on our “Silence The Sirens” Tour. We are doing 14 shows nationally. The details are on our Myspace page. So we are pretty busy right now! We are also playing the Falls Festivals at the end of the year.
Well, thanks for doing the interview. I hope the new album’s a massive success & I look forward to seeing you two rock a show in the short future.
Muph: Thanks for the support man
Contributed by Jon Emmenidis from Certified Hiphop
