The onstage marriage between Scotland-born, Melbourne-based indie-soul rocker Millar Jukes and the band The Muscle, the group have recorded their debut EP that's titled 'Git It'.
Gnarly, psych-flecked, bluesy garage rock that bristles with a soulful charm that's finished off with a coat of funk to swing your hips to, Millar Jukes & The Muscle have created six blistering songs over-flowing with snappy, melodic vocals and seductive grooves."We wanted to go in a new direction, so I was listening to heaps of rock stuff like Kaleo, Black Keys, Royal Blood, Band Of Skulls, Rival Sons etc, but also lots of indie music like Arctic Monkeys, King Of Leon, Kasabian, Catfish & the Bottlemen and The Growlers," Millar Jukes says.
"The new EP is a mix of all those bands and focussing more on moving on from past relationships [with the lyrics].
"It's the first time we've recorded as Millar Jukes & The Muscle, so we're all really proud of how it's come together. Every one of The Muscle are insane musicians and it's been a dream to make songs with them."
Ahead of the EP's release tomorrow (26 August), it's an enormous pleasure for scenestr to premiere 'Git It' today. Enjoy.
Originally from Glasgow, Millar Jukes has been based in Melbourne for over ten years curating numerous singles and EPs, as well as a self-titled album last year.
"I started out singing more folk and Americana singer-songwriter stuff, but then moved into a more indie-soul kind of vibe," Millar recalls.
"Our drummer, Ben Yarram, got the whole Muscle together. He was like, 'Let me put the band together', and away he went.
"He's put together some of the best musos I've ever played with. I feel so lucky that these people have decided to form The Muscle.
"I'm much more confident, not only as a performer but as a songwriter knowing that The Muscle are behind me."
The chemistry between the different players in The Muscle truly shone brightest when it came to recording EP track 'Lemon Haze'. "Watching the band rearrange 'Lemon Haze' was one of the best things I've seen in a recording studio," Millar says.
"The song didn't feel right and when we voiced that opinion the band just got up and jammed something different. It was amazing to witness just how good everyone was. It was really cool.
"Another amazing thing to see was the backing vocals on 'Lioness'. Shannen Wick (Fulton Street) arranged 21 parts for it and watching her, Bumpy and Emma Volard just nail every part so easily was incredible.
"We literally had chills in the control room. Unreal to witness those three smashing out vocals like that."
Here, Millar shares some thoughts about each track that features on 'Git It'.
Vengeance
Big blues rock energy that smashes out the mantra that 'what goes around comes around'.Tongue Tied
Bit of dirty guitar, soulful melody with some tight harmonies for the secret crush that leaves you lost for words.Drunk Dial
Big sound for a big mistake we've all made once in our lives.Lemon Haze
A lung bursting hit of euphoria when you meet that right someone.Lioness
Blues rock with slick vocals and big harmonies that soar throughout the track.Gittinit
Big and loud! Crunchy guitar that hits you right in the chest! Lose it all on the dancefloor and git it!The band launch 'Git It' at The Evelyn Hotel (Melbourne) 26 August.
