Wikipedia

Muna (band)

For the Nigerian female singer/rapper/actor, seeMunachi Abii.

Muna(stylized asMUNA;/ˈmuːnə/MOON-ə[6]) is an Americanindie popband consisting ofKatie Gavin,Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. They released two studio albums withRCA Records,About U(2017) andSaves the World(2019), before signing with independent labelSaddest Factory Records,which released their third studio album,Muna,in June 2022.

Muna
MUNA performing in Minneapolis, 2022
MUNA performing inMinneapolis,2022
Background information
OriginLos Angeles,California,U.S.
Genres
Years active2013–present
Labels
Members
Websitewhereismuna.com

Career

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2013–2019: Career beginnings,About UandSaves the World

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Based inLos Angeles,the trio met in college at theUniversity of Southern Californiaand began working together in 2013 with Maskin and McPherson playing together on guitars and Gavin adding synth bass and vocals. Gavin had introduced McPherson to Maskin.[7]Gavin and Maskin were music majors, while McPherson double-majored in narrative studies and American studies & ethnicity.[8]The two guitarists, Maskin and McPherson, had been used to playingskaandprogressive rock,but settled on a different sound when their initial collaboration with singer Gavin resulted in a pop song.[9]

Beginning their collaboration in an experimental mode, they evolved towards hookyelectronic pop.In the summer of 2014, they self-released their debut EP,More Perfect,onBandcampandSoundCloud.Its success led to their signing byRCA Recordsin the US andColumbia Recordsin the UK. Gavin and McPherson dated for three years and broke up shortly after being signed.[7]RCA released their self-produced debut major label EP,Loudspeaker,in May 2016. Their debut full-length album,About U,was released on February 3, 2017.

Dutch DJ/producerTiëstoremixed "Winterbreak" in May 2016.[10]Muna playedLollapalooza2016 in Chicago in July 2016,[11]toured America withGrouplovein the fall of 2016, and made their late-night network television debut on November 7, 2016, onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[12]In June 2017, it was announced that the band would be the opening act on the North American and European tour dates forHarry Styles.In 2017, their song "I Know a Place" was featured inThe Carmilla Movie,following the originalweb seriesbased onSheridan Le Fanu'snovella of the same name.In 2018, Muna was featured playing "I Know a Place" live in the Netflix movieAlex Strangelove,which chronicles the sexual awakening of teen protagonist Alex Truelove.

In 2018, the band began work on their second full-length record. In June 2019, the band announced their second album,Saves the World,which was released on September 6, 2019. The album was preceded by its lead single, "Number One Fan," followed by the singles "Who," "Stayaway,"and" Taken. "Following their London shows at the Village Underground, it was announced that Muna would be returning to the UK for their Saves the World Tour in December 2019.[13]

2020–present: Record label change andMuna

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In 2020, shortly after the onset of theCOVID-19 pandemic,Muna were dropped by RCA for "not making enough money".[14][15]It was then announced in May 2021, that Muna had signed withPhoebe Bridgers' record labelSaddest Factory,which operates in partnership with Secretly Group'sDead Oceans.[16]In September 2021, Muna released their single "Silk Chiffon" featuring Bridgers, their first since signing to the label.Rolling Stonecalled it a "buoyant track with an uncharacteristically bright declaration of queer love."[17]The “Silk Chiffon” music video featuring Phoebe Bridgers is a tribute to the 2000’s filmBut I’m a Cheerleaderwhich features themes and aspects of the film. Band member Naomi McPherson said it is "a song for kids to have their first gay kiss to."[1]The song was chosen by a number of publications for their year-end lists of 2021, includingRolling Stone,[18]Consequence of Sound,[19]andLine of Best Fit,who ranked it at number one.[20]Muna later joinedKacey Musgraves's 15-city winter tour between January and February 2022.[21]

In March 2022, the band released the single "Anything But Me" and announced that their third studio album,Muna,would be released on June 24, 2022, through Saddest Factory and Dead Oceans.[22]The following month, they performed the single onEllen DeGeneres' final season of her daytime talk show.[23]The album's third single "Kind of Girl" was released in April 2022, alongside a Western-inspired video with the trio playing "with the gendered nature of the song".[24]The band performed the song onThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallonthe following month.[25]Following their self-titled third album's release,Munawas acclaimed by music critics who have scored it as the band's highest-rated album according to media aggregate siteMetacritic.[26]It became the band's first charting album on multiple charts including theUK Albums Chart,USBillboard200and in Australia and Scotland. The same day of release, Muna released the fourth single from the album "What I Want" with its music video.[27]The trio also released their cover ofBritney Spears' "Sometimes"(1999) for theHuluLGBTQ Americanromantic comedyfilmFire Islandin June 2022.[28]

Next, Muna were an opening act on selected March through July 2023 US dates ofTaylor Swift'sThe Eras Tour,[29]and the Australian leg ofLorde'sSolar Power Tour.[30]In March 2023, Muna performed to a sold-out crowd of 15,000 people at the closing ceremony ofWorldPrideSydney, alongsideAva MaxandKim Petras.[31]In April 2023, the band performed their first set atCoachella.[32]Shortly after, Muna released a new single "One That Got Away" alongside a "criminal underworld" inspired music video.[33]

Muna wrapped up the last leg of their"Life's So Fun" Tourin October 2023, with two sold-out shows at theGreek TheatreinLos Angeles.[34]In June 2024, the band released a live album of the performance, titledLive at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.[35]

During 2024, Katie Gavin worked on her debut solo album,What A Relief,still on Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory Records label.[36]In July, Muna appeared at thePitchfork Music Festival,performing"Ironic"withAlanis Morissette.[37]

Artistry

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All three members identify asqueer[9]and McPherson isnon-binary.[38]Initially wary of being pigeonholed as a "queer band", Muna later came to embrace the opportunity to use their musical fame to help inspire younger people to be comfortable with their identities. Their songs frequently address issues of sexuality and gender. They describe one early song, "So Special", as "an anthem for the slut-shamed girls of the world who have to assert their own value."[9]According to McPherson, "It would have meant a lot to me when I was, say, 12, to know of someone in a band and think they were coolandknow they were out. "[8]McPherson added, "I am out and I feel safe being out because the three of us are a little army for one another. I don't feel afraid to be myself. That makes me proud to be queer. That's the whole point of why we do this. We want a safe haven."[39]

When asked the meaning behind the band name, the members state it has many different meanings and it has grown to "an entity greater than all of us individually".[40]They cite many different languages having different translations of the word, having originally brainstormed it without much ceremony.[41]

Awards and honors

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In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQpride parade,Queertynamed Muna among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".[42][43]

Podcast

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In June 2021, the members of Muna began hosting a podcast calledGayotic,as part of theHeadgumnetwork.[44][45][46][47]The official description reads, in part, "Having been described by the press as 'occasionally hard-to-follow,' 'as chaotic as they are iconic,' and 'going through it,' the band MUNA started this podcast with the hope of providing not only more income, but also rare insight into the behavior of queers outside of the month of June." The podcast often features special guests, many of whom are queer, such asPhoebe Bridgers,Lucy Dacus,Julien Baker,Tegan and Sara,andClea Duvall.[48]

Tours

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Headlining

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Supporting

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Discography

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Main article:Muna discography

References

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  1. ^Daw, Stephen (March 15, 2022)."Muna Is Back: Indie-Pop Trio Announces Self-Titled Album, Shares 'Anything But Me' Video".Billboard.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  2. ^Darville, Jordan (March 15, 2022)."Muna announce new self-titled album with single 'Anything But Me'".The Fader.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  3. ^Valentine, Claire (March 15, 2022)."Muna Announce Self-Titled Album, Share New Single".Nylon.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  4. ^Abraham, Amelia (February 3, 2017)."Californian dark-pop trio Muna: 'We don't sugar-coat things'".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  5. ^"Farrell".Flood.March 15, 2022.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  6. ^"4 Things About Muna You Should Know!".Billboard.August 13, 2019.RetrievedMarch 22,2021– viaYouTube.
  7. ^abLas Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, "Hot Enough To Go For It (w/ Muna)",July 20, 2022
  8. ^abStone, Avery (May 10, 2016)."If We're Lucky Enough to Have a Platform, We Should Use That to Help People".Vice.RetrievedDecember 11,2022.
  9. ^abcSavage, Mark (September 28, 2016)."Muna interview: Defiant pop from LA rising stars".BBC.RetrievedDecember 11,2022.
  10. ^"Muna – Winterbreak (Tiësto's Deep House Mix)".Tiëstosblog.RetrievedNovember 18,2016.
  11. ^"retrieved November 21, 2016
  12. ^Rettig, James (November 8, 2016)."Watch Muna Make Their Late-Night TV Debut With" Loudspeaker "On Jimmy Fallon".Stereogum.RetrievedNovember 21,2016.
  13. ^Rᴀᴄʜ ✿ [@dreamluminosity] (September 11, 2019)."muna were so good last night, even mum enjoyed the show! #concert #muna #music".Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedDecember 11,2022– viaInstagram.
  14. ^Bernstein, Jonathan (March 15, 2022)."Life's So Fun: Muna Choose Happiness".Rolling Stone.RetrievedFebruary 21,2023.
  15. ^Richards, Will (November 25, 2022)."MUNA discuss the" creative freedom "given to them on Phoebe Bridgers' label".NME.RetrievedFebruary 21,2023.
  16. ^Moore, Sam (May 19, 2021)."Muna sign to Phoebe Bridgers' label Saddest Factory Records".NME.RetrievedMay 19,2021.
  17. ^Zemler, Emily (November 9, 2021)."Phoebe Bridgers Takes Muna to Prom With 'Silk Chiffon' on 'Corden'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 17,2021.
  18. ^"The 50 Best Songs of 2021".Rolling Stone.December 6, 2021.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  19. ^"Top 50 Songs of 2021".Consequence of Sound.December 6, 2021.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  20. ^"The Best Songs of 2021 Ranked".The Line of Best Fit.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  21. ^Jossell, Shar (September 1, 2021)."Kacey Musgraves Teaming Up With Muna and King Princess for 2022 Tour".Them.RetrievedJanuary 26,2022.
  22. ^Kenneally, Cerys (March 15, 2022)."Muna announce self-titled album with new single" Anything But Me "".The Line of Best Fit.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
  23. ^Garro, Adrian (April 19, 2022)."Muna Brings Infectious New Single" Anything But Me "to 'Ellen' — Debut LP Out 6/24 on Saddest Factory Records".Rockcellar Magazine.RetrievedApril 19,2022.
  24. ^Lavin, Will (April 28, 2022)."Muna share empowering new single 'Kind Of Girl'".NME.RetrievedApril 28,2022.
  25. ^"Watch Muna Play 'Kind of Girl' On the Tonight Show".DIY.June 14, 2022.RetrievedJune 14,2022.
  26. ^"Muna by Muna Reviews and Tracks".Metacritic.RetrievedJune 23,2022.
  27. ^Bouza, Kat (June 24, 2022)."Muna Serves Us Pure Early 2000s Celebrity Fantasy in 'What I Want'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  28. ^Brodsky, Rachel (June 3, 2022)."Muna –" Sometimes "(Britney Spears Cover)".Stereogum.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  29. ^Willman, Chris (November 1, 2022)."Taylor Swift Announces 2023 'Eras Tour' of U.S. Stadiums".Variety.RetrievedNovember 1,2022.
  30. ^Robinson, Ellie (November 10, 2022)."MUNA to support Lorde on Australian 'Solar Power' tour dates".NME.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
  31. ^Gallagher, Alex (October 11, 2022)."MUNA, G Flip and Peach PRC join Kylie Minogue on Sydney WorldPride 2023 line-up".NME.RetrievedMarch 8,2023.
  32. ^Robinson, Ellie (April 15, 2023)."Watch MUNA premiere new song 'One That Got Away' at Coachella 2023".NME.RetrievedApril 15,2023.
  33. ^Rettig, James (April 17, 2023)."MUNA Share New Single" One That Got Away ": Listen".NME.RetrievedApril 17,2023.
  34. ^"MUNA performs sold-out tour finale show at the Greek Theatre".Annenberg Media.October 18, 2023.RetrievedNovember 22,2024.
  35. ^"MUNA to release new live album 'Live At The Greek Theatre In Los Angeles'".DIY.June 27, 2024.RetrievedNovember 22,2024.
  36. ^Brodsky, Rachel (July 23, 2024)."MUNA's Katie Gavin Shares Debut Solo Single" Aftertaste "".Stereogum.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  37. ^Strauss, Matthew (July 22, 2024)."Watch Alanis Morissette and Muna Perform" Ironic "at Pitchfork Music Festival 2024".Pitchfork Music Festival.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  38. ^"Naomi McPherson Twitter".Twitter.Archived fromthe originalon May 26, 2022.RetrievedApril 10,2021.
  39. ^Monroe, Ian David (November 4, 2016)."Muna Are Pioneering a New Identity in Pop Music".V Magazine.RetrievedDecember 11,2022.
  40. ^"The Electro-Pop Band MUNA on Style and Saving the World".Harper's BAZAAR.November 27, 2019.RetrievedOctober 27,2023.
  41. ^MUNA - Number One Fan (Official Video),June 6, 2019,retrievedOctober 27,2023
  42. ^"Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees".Queerty.RetrievedJune 30,2020.
  43. ^Tracer, Daniel (July 15, 2020)."These musicians became queer role models young fans need, and they're changing the world for good".Queerty.RetrievedAugust 2,2020.
  44. ^"The GUi-DE: MUNA's podcast and a messed up A24 movie".i-d.vice.com.RetrievedJuly 3,2023.
  45. ^Arata, Aiden (October 19, 2021)."How linking up with Phoebe Bridgers allowed MUNA to finally be heard".Alternative Press Magazine.RetrievedJuly 3,2023.
  46. ^Beckett, Tyson."Muna's music is queer joy exemplified".www.thepress.co.nz.RetrievedJuly 3,2023.
  47. ^"MUNA's New Album Is Joy As An Act Of Resistance".Junkee.August 31, 2022.RetrievedJuly 3,2023.
  48. ^"Headgum: Gayotic with MUNA".
  49. ^"MUNA Announces" Lay Down Your Weapons Tour "".Digital Tour Bus.November 29, 2016.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  50. ^Martoccio, Angie (June 18, 2019)."Muna Announces Fall Headline Tour".Rolling Stone.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  51. ^Hatfield, Amanda (March 16, 2022)."MUNA announce new LP, North American tour (watch" Anything But Me "video)".BrooklynVegan.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  52. ^"Bimini announced as UK support act for queer pop trio MUNA".Kerrang!.July 6, 2022.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  53. ^Robinson, Ellie (January 11, 2023)."MUNA announce 'Life's So Fun' North American tour with Nova Twins".NME.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  54. ^"Grouplove Announce New Album Big Mess, Plus a World Tour".Paste Magazine.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  55. ^"Bleachers Announces Fall Tour".Pitchfork.May 31, 2017.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  56. ^Britton, Luke Morgan (June 6, 2017)."MUNA announced as Harry Styles' tour support".NME.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  57. ^"Muna are supporting The 1975 for two shows this November | Dork".readdork.com.September 17, 2019.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  58. ^"Phoebe Bridgers Announces 2021 U.S. Tour".Pitchfork.July 12, 2021.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  59. ^Hatfield, Amanda (May 6, 2022)."MUNA, Sloppy Jane, Christian Lee Hutson & more opening Phoebe Bridgers' tour".BrooklynVegan.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  60. ^Matuson, Lexi (October 19, 2021)."Show Review: Bleachers - Philadelphia, 9/23 | The Mann".Ascribe Magazine.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  61. ^"Kacey Musgraves Teaming Up With Muna and King Princess for 2022 Tour".Them.September 1, 2021.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  62. ^Robinson, Ellie (November 10, 2022)."MUNA to support Lorde on Australian 'Solar Power' tour dates".NME.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  63. ^Dailey, Hannah (November 11, 2022)."Here Are the Artists Opening for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: Paramore, Phoebe Bridgers & More".Billboard.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
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