Introducing Get To Know… MUNYA
Meet the Montreal artist making bilingual synth-pop.
Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… With two new acts a week, the feature pretty much does what it says on the tin: getting you a little bit closer to the buzziest new acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
We’ve recently introduced you to Oslo’s Girl In Red, Cannibal Hymns-signed Brighton newcomer NANCY, the buzzy Biig Piig, weirdo Londoners Sistertalk and Oxford’s Lacuna Common and Coventry newcomers FEET. Today, we’re with MUNYA!
MUNYA is the synth-pop project of Montreal-based artist Josie Boivin, who conjures up dream-like soundscapes and switches between singing in French and English across her songs. Last year, she released her first two EPs - North Hatley and Delmano - and is set to complete a trilogy of released with the arrival of her third EP ‘Blue Pine’ via Luminelle on 8th March, which she’s previewed with first single ‘It’s All About You’.
“It’s about obsession, that feeling when everything you do is about trying to reach a singular goal, an object, or, in my case, love,” Josie explains of the track. “This song is about my dream - this fantasy and obsession of wanting someone so bad that it hurts and everything I do is for the dream of being together.”
Take a listen and read our Q&A with MUNYA below.
Describe your music to us in the form of a Tinder bio.
“New Synth Folk”
What’s your earliest musical memory?
When I was very young, maybe 3 or 4, my mom took me to one of her best friend’s houses. She had a real life piano, definitely the first time I had seen one in person. She played Für Elise by Beethoven… I did my best to copy her and actually did a decent job of playing the beginning of the song! Apparently my mom signed me up for piano lessons the very next day.
Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?
I have had musical inspiration come from all over the spectrum, but with MUNYA for a few reasons I just wanted to focus on making music that brought a smile to people’s faces and/or souls. A lot of the music I listened to for inspiration ranged from classics from the Beatles, Françoise Hardy, Giorgio Moroder and Joan Baez while also being inspired by the likes of Mac Demarco, Chad Vangaalen, Connan Mockasin. When I listen to their music I am able to let go and just be part of the song. That was my goal for MUNYA and what I am working towards creating everyday.
You’re based in Montreal - what’s the music scene like there at the moment? Are there other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
The scene right now in Montreal is so inspiring! Almost every day I hear something new from peers and I am just blown away with what is going on up here. Men I Trust is hugely inspiring, their music is absolutely enchanting but the universe behind the music that they have created from videos to shows is all done by them and you know it, you can feel the passion and drive in everything they do. I also have to give a shout out to Helena Deland and Anemone, I am a huge fan of both of them and so many others.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
OMG! There are so many artists I want to collaborate with! I produce, sing, write, and perform mostly by myself (with help from some friends in the studio) but I have some big ideas for the future! I would love to collaborate with other artists/producers that come from different places… people like Kaytranada, The Internet, BadBadNotGood and Cardi B. I just think it would be fun and exciting to have a fresh set of eyes around me and people I can learn from.
Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to in 2019?
The most important things for me are creating, learning and listening, in 2019 I really just want to focus on those things. I know I have so much work to do to get better and I’m excited to dive head first into it this year! I am really looking forward to traveling around and meeting more people and of course the launch of the Dragon Crew and hopefully some more launches of Falcon Heavy.
If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
I know it’s simple but I just want people to listen to my music and feel good. I want to help put a smile on their faces whether they are going through a tough time or whether they are having a great time, that’s it!
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.