Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"MUCK STICKY"!
Here's our official interview...
I know we met close to 20 years ago on MySpace through me working very close with Three 6 Mafia/Hypnotized Minds, which sounds absolutely crazy to me because time has flown by, but, how does it feel to be sitting here in an exclusive interview with me knowing that we've both worked our tails off for this long and we're still not finished? With that, what keeps you motivated daily?
- MySpace seems so long ago. It was crazy how much virality my songs had on there. It really helped launch things. Glad to see you are still at it. As far as motivation goes, I'm committed to this music thing for life. It's in my blood. There is nothing else I would rather be doing, so staying motivated isn't really that difficult. I think for some, who aren't deciated to a purpose and are just doing it for quick fame or money, it can be tough to stay persistent and consistent when those rewards don't arrive quickly, or they don't even see them at all. It's kind of like walking a tightrope. Some walk a tightrope with a net, and some walk over a canyon. If you have a net that will catch you when you fall, that is the same as having a "back-up plan if music doesn't work out". You can fail and fall and you'll still be okay, so you don't give it the dedication required to make it. But if you are in it for life, then there is no other option but to stay on the rope until you get to the other side.
Tell us a little about your mission/brand -
- Music has helped me so much in life. I spent most of my late teens and early twenties making not-so-good choices. When artists I looked up to sang/spoke words that I could relate to,and inspired me to do better, it altered the course of my life. Growing up, music was a part of my family and heritage. My grandfather was a Sun Studio musician in Memphis, and worked with the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. My great-grandparents were part of one of the most famous Gospel Bluegrass quartets known as The Wayfaring Singers, founded in 1927. So that kind of music was always in my household. As I got older, I got into different kinds of music. Rock and Rap were always around me coming up in Memphis, but I also liked weirder artists like Beck and Ween. I was also really into comedy from a young age. So I took all of those influences and merged them to make my own brand of music. My mission is to use music to help people who are feeling down, or in a really bad place in life, to find a brighter way of living. Sometimes the world is cold and painful, but there can be profound change within ourselves through music. My hope is that I can continue to help people through the hard times with music that uplifts them, even if I have to say some wild and crazy things to do it...
How does it feel to be the king of pajamas?
- Feels amazing. Very comfortable actually. I started wearing them because they just felt better than jeans or slacks. Then my best friend passed away in 2002 after a three-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. I watched him go from being healthy, to frail and full of drugs. When he passed, I was a pallbearer at his funeral and I wore slacks. During the course of the day, they tore apart at the seams for some strange reason. That day I had a profound awareness come over me about the fragility of life, and how often we change ourselves and our clothes to suit the opinions of other people. I vowed from that day on that I would stay true to myself and not change who I am or what I wear to suit the minds of others. This July 2nd will mark 21 years of wearing pajamas every day as my personal and professional attire. It's the world record (7,640 days as of today)...
Where did the inspiration for your lyrics come from?
- Well, that really depends on the song. I gather inspiration from all sorts of places. Most of it comes from personal experiences, but some it also comes from observing the world and the people in it. It's a wild world. If we can make it a little better for each other, we should. I find that sometimes my best way of dealing with things is to laugh at them. Music is a great outlet for me to express the things that bring me joy, but also the things that bring me pain. So it really just depends on the state of consciousness I am whenever I am writing a given song.
What can we look forward to in the future from you?
- We have a really big project we are working on right now. Can't give any details about it, but there is a LOT of music involved. I am branching out into new areas of music I've never explored before, and it feels amazing. Trying new things is a way to grow and find out more about ourselves. Which is what I am doing these days. Expect to hear new sounds and see new sides of me that I've never expressed before.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Good Lord willing, still alive with my family and friends. After that, anything is a blessing. I wake up each day thankful God has given me another day to create new art and explore life. I love being alive. I'm so thankful for it. And I am so thankful for a career in music that brings me so many blessings. I hope the years to come continue to progress the awareness of our music in the world, and we help more people find connection through music.
Who are some of your mentors?
- It's funny this is a question, because I was just talking with my mom earlier today about mentors. I don't really have one. I have people I look up to in the world, but nobody has ever mentored me in my career or life. If anyone is a mentor to me, it's Mom. She has always supported my dreams and encouraged me when I've been down and out. I've been at this music thing since 1999, and have never had any support from the industry. No labels, no agents, no managers. Just me, my family, my friends, and my fans. Don't know if I'll ever have a mentor. But I have God in my soul, and that amazing grace will always guide me.
During COVID, we all faced struggles, what was one of your main struggles?
- Getting weed was tough there for a minute. But that was when I was still living in Memphis. Now that I've moved to a state where it's medicinal, I get my buds from the drive-thru at the dispensary around the corner.
Where can fans find your music?
- Pretty much everywhere you can find music. We have great distribution through Select-O-Hits. Google "Muck Sticky" and you can find everything you need for a good time. lol
Anything you'd like to include?
- I just want to thank the fans for always being so supportive. My 17th album "Freshly Baked" just dropped on 4/20, and the response has been amazing. We have the best fans ever. It does my soul good to know there are still a LOT of good people out there in the world who know music can keep us going. Together we are going to get through this thing called life. Music can bring us all together.
What are your social links?
Everything can be found here... https://linktr.ee/MuckSticky
Anything you'd like to include?
Thanks a bazillion for having me do this interview. Keep doing what you're doing bro! Much love!
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Thanks so much for your time!!! I also want to give a huge S/O to Amanda Flores, Staff Editor at Standish913!)
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