Earlier this year, during the waning days of summer, our videographer friends at I Know We Should traveled to Denmark to capture a handful of special sessions with Americana and roots artists performing at Scandinavian music festivals. For our next installment in this mini-series, we’re excited to feature singer-songwriter Jon Muq performing during his time at premier Danish music event, Tønder Festival.
Born and raised in Uganda, Jon Muq has made waves since relocating to Austin, Texas and leaving his mark on the American roots music scene. Earlier this year he released his debut full-length album, Flying Away, on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound. That’s the project from which Muq’s first selection is pulled. On a waterside boardwalk with a marshy backdrop, Muq offers “Bend,” a song about resiliency, flexibility, and connection.
“So come on, come on, don’t let me love you,” Muq sings, plaintively, to a loping acoustic guitar rhythm. “You’ll come on, you’re strong enough to bend…” He offers his own take on a not-so-uncommon lyrical hook, breathing freshness into it and bringing his own perspective to the idea that strength isn’t unflinching or stoic, it’s flexible and responsive.
For his second number, Muq performs “Hello Sunshine,” another track from Flying Away â one just perfect for August in Denmark. “Hello,âhelloâsunshine/ Goodbyeârainy days,” he begins, foregrounding the hopeful message in the song’s text. His message of encouragement and perseverance is more than apropos to carry with us into wintertime and our uncertain future. (Whether facing a Scandinavian-level winter or one a bit more balmy.)
These two tracks begin to illustrate the depth and breadth of Muq’s style, even in this simple and unadorned context. With just one album to his name at this early point in his international career, there’s certainly so much more great music to come from this singular roots artist.
Want to learn more about Jon Muq? Check out our 5+5 interview from earlier this year here.
