I sat down with Miles, one half of the brother-sister group Muo Duo. The New York-based jazz-pop-eclectic pair released their debut album back in May of this year, and extended that with a deluxe version after the time this interview took place. Grab your coolest coffee mug, put on some smooth jazz in the background (or better yet, Grammy Bait), and cozy in for our conversation.
Sci Fi, Jazz, Big Cities, & other influences (not in that order)
POETRY DANS LA RUE: Hi Miles! Thanks for taking the time to meet with me—first, congrats on your new album, Grammy Bait! How has reception been?
Miles: It’s been very good, a lot of new fans have come in that are really enjoying it. Tried and tested fans, too. We have an all-new live setup and a full band setup, which is really cool because it brings the energy on stage!
POETRY DANS LA RUE: You both [Miles and sister, Winter], have a ton of musical background and experience. Winter, performing on Broadway at such a young age, acting professionally, and singing in a chorus at the MET. Miles, you seem like you’ve dabbled in just about everything – studying at the University of Chicago, playing in indie bands there, multiple instruments, music directing films, etc. Did you both get inspired from your family growing up; is this a genetic thing? Or is it just a personal interest?
Miles: Yeah, we actually have a lot of musicians on our mom’s side. Our great-grandpa was a cellist in the New York Philharmonic and one of the oldest active musicians! He would be, like, trying to cut a steak at 90 years old, and couldn’t, and then would still go and play cello in the orchestra [laughs]. I guess now we are bringing in the modern era.
POETRY DANS LA RUE: Your sound is very unique – it’s a blend of a lot of different genres. Your jazz influence – where did this come from?
Miles: Really, it comes from the music I’m into. I pretty much produce everything on the album. I liked working with guitars when I was growing up listening to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Later, I started listening to more hip hop, Tyler, the Creator, and The Alchemist. I like making it sound like I’m working with samples and loops. The jazz influence comes from playing jazz trumpet as a kid. I think that’s unique about our music – I play these different brass instruments. I started actually studying classical music.
PDLR: That’s what I was seeing! While you were in school, right?
Miles: Yeah, I was studying classical composition at Juilliard. It’s pretty much baked into how I make music now.
PDLR: You went to the University of Chicago, too, right?
Miles: Yeah, I went there and studied biology and astrophysics. I kinda bring in some nerdiness to the lyrics and space themes.
PDLR: Yes! I was reading an article in Melodic Magazine about you guys that said you make music that sounds like “outer space”. Was this the direction you always intended to go in?
Miles: That’s just what inspires me. Whether it’s through sound effects that sound like a spaceship, or different effects on vocals, I’m always bringing a sci-fi sound to our music.
PDLR: Where do you get inspiration, specifically in New York City?
Miles: The place where I’m most productive is probably the bedroom studio, but I definitely like to go on walks in Central Park and the East River to think about ideas. We want to provide people with a soundtrack for their lives, making them feel like the main character of their story. I think the city plays a big role in that. The energy of the city inspires us.
Human connection: in and out of the studio
PDLR: What’s been the process of making this album?
Miles: Yeah – the process of getting into the studio was really fun. We definitely experimented a lot more in the studio, whether it was working with a new synth or guitar sounds, or writing vocal harmonies and seeing how it sounded. I think it added to the project’s spontaneity, which we are definitely going to take into future projects.
What really inspires me while writing lyrics comes from reading a lot. You’ve gotta read to write; that’s what I think—watching movies, TV, consuming media. I think every time I listen to a new album, I get a new idea for our music.
PDLR: Anything specific that inspired this album specifically?
Miles: Yeah, a lot of classic books. I recently read “A Fine Balance”—that was really cool. I read a lot of fiction. But also nonfiction. Art. It’s all combined into one inspirational idea for me. I’m not necessarily thinking I have to replicate it, but it all sinks in and then comes out naturally in the music. I usually listen to music while walking to get into a meditative state.
PDLR: How much of the music and lyrics do you think of before you go into the studio, versus how much do you come up with on the spot in the studio while you’re just playing around with stuff?
Miles: I like going in with a plan. A lot of the foundations of the bass line track are laid down, and then once I get through the checklist, I can then mess around, re-perform guitar, bass, all that stuff. All the lyrics and vocal lines are written, but we usually put in new harmonies in the studio. I usually write my vocal line, then we’ll add Winter’s on top at the end.
PDLR: How do you and Winter divide up the work and creating the music? Do you designate roles?
Miles: I pretty much write and produce everything. Then, I bring those tracks to Winter, and she has critiques. Because we have a sibling relationship, we can be brutally honest. We have slightly different tastes in music, so there’s some arguing and convincing over what should and shouldn’t go on the album!
PDLR: What would you say are the common themes you’re trying to get across with Grammy Bait?
Miles: This album was a lot about the connection and relationships with people – and valuing those relationships. Especially today, with dating apps and social media, it’s so easy to go to the next thing and be noncommittal with your friends and your romantic relationships. I wanted to stress the importance of that in the lyrics on this album. I think our relationships with people are the most important thing we have. I really wanted to also bring some positivity and make it really pop-y.
PDLR: YES, I get that. Even the name Grammy Bait is funny.
Miles: Yeah, like, it’s not that deep. Everyone is so serious nowadays. We are just, like, trying to put out music and have a good time!
Spiders, snakes, and fake nice girls… oh my
PDLR: Okay, let’s talk individual songs. My favorites are Fake Nice Girls, Postmodern Romance, and Arachnophobia. What are your personal favs on the album?
Miles: I think my favorite production was Fake Nice Girls. We released this as a single, and the lyrics are pretty fun. I always like introducing that song when we’re going live, because it’s like a joke. I also like Arachnophobia because it’s got a dancey vibe to it; more house music-inspired. I didn’t think there was enough of that on this album, so I’m trying to emphasize that on the next album we are currently writing. That’ll be written and recorded soon. I think the one that’s resonating the most with people is Postmodern Romance.
PDLR: That’s interesting because I love the lyrics in that one – that’s what you were talking about, with fake connection.
Miles: Exactly. That really resonates with people —the troubles of dating and romance. The dating scene nowadays is so crazy.
PDLR: In Love Signs, what is a “psychic snake bite” in the line, “got no sleep had a bad night, psychic snake bite”?
Miles: I think it’s kinda about when you’re trying to go to sleep, but there’s something that you can’t forget about, so you keep thinking about it. And that’s like the “psychic snake bite” affecting you, so you can’t sleep.
PDLR: Ahhh, I get it now. I also like the drastic change in “Daisy”—it almost feels like you are switching between two different songs.
Miles: Yeah, I liked not only switching genres from song to song, but also within the same song – that you can have multiple genres and influences in the same song. And really take the listener on a journey where they don’t know what’s around the corner. That was one of Winter’s favorite songs.
Fall Tour and taking matters into their own hands
PDLR: Is this the genre you hope you stay in (even though I know you’re already blending a bunch of genres)? Or do you want to expand and try some new sounds going forward?
Miles: Yeah, we’re still staying true to our sound. There’s gonna be rock stuff, hip hop-inspired stuff – but I want more influence from dance-y vibes on our next album! I’m already like 12 songs deep into the next album. In a project like this, you’re doing video direction, marketing, and visual direction. So it’s like all different types of creativity coming together on this one project. It’s really cool to focus on this and get music to the fans as soon as possible.
PDLR: Would you ever want to be signed to a label? Or would you guys rather continue doing everything yourselves? Cause, you know, there is more freedom to it in a way – when you’re doing it yourself.
Miles: Yeah, I think like nowadays if you’re an artist, you kinda have to take it into your own hands. Because the only thing a label is going to do is – they’re not really going to help with artist development – they’re gonna just kind of come in and take your stuff. I wouldn’t be mad at the big marketing budget and touring support. But at this point, as an emerging artist, you really have to take it into your own hands. And I think that’s good! Because you have the power to really make your career.
PDLR: Anything else you want to touch on?
Miles: We are going to be performing a lot this fall, so if you’re in the area, keep an eye out and check out our Spotify, cause we’re going to be posting shows there! We’re also dropping a deluxe album in the fall, with a few more tracks and some sped-up versions, stuff like that. [deluxe album is out HERE at the time of this article being up!] Keep an eye out to see if we’re in your area!