After a whirlwind of a 2009, including launching stonking sales on iTunes, remixing for other artists and even being featured on a Japanese clothing ad, Rob of Monster! Monster! took the time out to reflect on what’s been and what is soon to be in the new year with Moon & Back Music.
MF: Hi Robin, how you doing?
MM: I’m great thanks, but rather busy at the moment with uni!
MF: What have you been up to recently?
MM: The past two months I’ve been focusing on producing, writing loads of new tunes and doing remixes for people. It’s been pretty hectic to say the least, but really rewarding!
MF: What has your highlight of the year been so far?
MM: There have been so many amazing moments of 2009. The highlights have been completing my first tour at the end of the summer and putting out my first single on iTunes. It’s gone so fast!
MF: You can grab your stuff on iTunes now. Have you had a good reception from that?
MM: It’s been great! I put the single out in early September and it sold like hotcakes. I was overjoyed at the reception I got!
MF: Can we expect a full length from Monster! Monster!?
MM: I’m looking to produce some full releases in 2010, but I can’t say when just yet! Let’s just say that there’s going to be an awful lot of bass, a lot of genre mashups and a fair bit of Gameboy!
MF: You recently featured in a Japanese clothing ad. Can we expect to hear you anywhere else soon? Maybe the next Pacman game?!
MM: The Killer Tunes 916 clothing ad came about earlier in the year, I was flattered to be chosen by them. I’m writing the music to an animation at the moment actually, which is a bit different to say the least! It’s a new challenge and I’m really enjoying it!
MF: What are your biggest influences? Are you one of those artists who completely shocks everyone by saying your biggest influence is mathcore metal or something?
MM: I’m one of those people who listens to loads of different music. At the moment I’m really into dubstep, I love the vibes and I think it’s a very fun genre when it’s done right! But I think the way I write music is definitely influenced by playing the guitar! I’ve been in all sorts of bands over the years: metalcore, power metal and all sorts. I was also really into guitar virtuoso stuff like Steve Vai. I still play guitar a bit, but it’s toned down now. Usually I just jam some acoustic stuff!
MF: If you could work with anyone musically, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
MM: I have no idea [laughs]. There are so many fantastic musicians I’ve grown up listening to. If I had to choose someone contemporary, I’d probably go with Frankmusik. I love his tunes!
MF: What’s the weirdest thing that has happened to you as Monster! Monster! so far?
MM: I think the weirdest thing for me is that fact that it seems to be going quite well haha. I’ve been in a lot of bands before and they never went anywhere. But so far this year I’ve done a tour, been on BBC introducing’s Friday Session and put out a single on iTunes. It seems wholly surreal to me!
MF: Where do you see yourself this time next year? What does 2010 have in store?
MM: I hope 2010 is a good year! I would love to tour more, play some festivals and release some more music. Unfortunately I finish university in 2010, so it might be a struggle for a while haha, but I’m sure I’ll manage!
- Matt Fearon
“lot of bass, a lot of genre mashups and a fair bit of Gameboy!” Sounds good to me
If it’s anything like Square Magic it’ll definitely be worth checking it out.
nice one