Muka Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Muka is a blackened doom band from Zagreb, Croatia. We've been active since early 2012. The band started as a side-project but gained a lot of momentum when Boro brought
his intense lyrics and performance to the table, which lead us to decide that Muka needs our full attention. Since then Muka has self-released two albums:
'Svi Šute' in 2014 and our new album 'Sveta Stoka' in March of 2017.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?
When we started Muka we really didn't have a clear vision of the style or the sound. We just wanted to explore different styles of extreme music and combine them in a way that would sound uncommon to us. During our first rehearsals and writing sessions, the sound was more in the style of 'doom meets dark psychedelia' and what was missing was an element of aggression and danger, a sort of pure force that would carry the music. We found that element in blast beats and more aggressive drumming styles and started to explore how this could be combined with the atmosphere and riffs that are more atmospheric than technical in their nature.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Muka deals with both universal and personal lyrical topics. The main topic is the feeling of anguish that is present in modern day society and how it evolved from a primitive, dark force to an omnipresent state of the mankind. Our motivation is to deal with this state, to tell stories from a personal point of view, to create a sort of media that will be used to purify all things that crush human will. Muka deals with sex, with heresy, with aggression, with opiates, and with lust.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Muka'?
The name Muka can be translated as Anguish or Torture ( the Greek myth of Tantalus is actually a good reference ). It perfectly fits our music and our lyrics. The credit for the name goes out to our singer Boro.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The strange thing is that we're not that keen on playing as many gigs as possible. Never were, never will be. We view our performance as a sort of personal and a group ritual and if it happens to often, in the same clubs or towns it looses its initial purpose. We want the crowd to feel all the specter of emotions that we're feeding them from the stage. This is what a vast majority of people who come to our gigs are seeing and experiencing and we have a reputation for playing really intense, aggressive and atmospheric concerts.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
No touring or gigs for an undefined period of time. We're in search of a full-time drummer for the band. Our first drummer and good friend Debason got caught up in a lot of business and personal obligations and his really busy schedule prevented him from participating in the recording of 'Sveta Stoka'. We live in a small country, the extreme metal scene is also small and our standards are pretty high when talking about performance, commitment and dedication. Very few people even dare to contact us regarding this matter, and none have yet dared to enter our collective.
We'll see what the future brings.

7.Currently, you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
We had some offers from labels, but we chose to be independent for now. Most of the labels nowadays don't offer much ( if anything ), some even ask you for money, some have ABC lists of bands and only As get any support - not the way we feel we deserve to be treated. Our music is in our control and that is important for us. We have plans to collaborate with a Croatian label 'No Profit Recordings' for a vinyl release of 'Sveta Stoka' later this year.

8.On a worldwide level, how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and doom metal?
The feedback is beyond our expectations, it really was a surprise. Since our lyrics are sung in the native language, we really didn't feel that a lot of people outside Croatia would be interested. But we have been proved wrong, especially with the release of 'Sveta Stoka' where a lot of people bought the download or send us a message, or did a review or shared something and they don't know any Croatian at all.
We wish to thank all of those people for their support!

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Edin is finishing a record with his other band 'Duskburn' ( a post metal/sludge style ), Goran and I are currently finishing the writing process for our doom band '(drama)'. We're
always busy with something, but sometimes life just happens and postpones your plans. Both '(drama)' and 'Duskburn' albums are long overdue.

10.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As I said earlier, we're in search of a full-time drummer. We already talked about doing the 3rd album, we believe that it will happen but for now we don't know how, when or with whom. The plan is to keep writing songs and explore our writing and performing styles more intensively, in a way that will guide us forward into even more extreme and more atmospheric style.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Well, I guess black and doom is something everyone in the band agrees on. As far as influences on 'Muka' I can't really point in any direction since the music is always written and finished as a group effort.  My personal taste in metal is in the doom, death and black genres. Too many bands to mention, but lately I've been listening mostly to Immolation, Dying Fetus, Ulcerate, Archgoat, Death Worship and Blut Aus Nord.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
This was the hardest question to answer personally because some answers could get me in trouble. I guess that I am a pretty dull person if you take away all of the music related interest. Don't expect to read something like:'I like swimming, organic food, modern art, and literature', more like:'I like outdoors, knives, cannabis, my cats and my woman - now fuck off!'. :) haha

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Check out muka.bandcamp.com, keep your eye on our facebook page for more information and news about Muka. Thank you for your attention!