Interviews (252)

• May 9, 2025
• Colleen Johnson
• 85
• 0

(photo credit: Morgan Wommack)

Happy Friday! Oh, do  I have the show for you to welcome the weekend with! Austin-based via Uganda artist Jon Muq is bringing his soulful vibes to City Winery in Boston tonight, and it’s a true full-circle moment for Muq. Less than a year ago, he was in the opening position, and tonight he’ll be headlining. Fresh off the release of his latest single “Hear My Voice,” and what seems like relentless touring, Muq has been making his way across the country with the promise of a new album around the corner to follow up his last album’s release in March of last year.

I recently sat down with Muq to talk about his past few months of touring, what he’s currently working on, and his continued working relationship with Dan Auerbach. Find our chat below, and don’t miss out on this one! Muq has tons of festivals coming up, and has been cascading around the world with a bevy of international touring. I was lucky enough to catch him when he opened up at the same venue last year, and it’s truly something to be seen. It’s an early one too, with Jon taking the stage at 7:30, with doors at 5:30! Limited tickets can still be picked up here!

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New England Sounds: A soft one to get started here. You’re headlining the City Winery in Boston this Friday. But you played that room last year as the opener. You’ve been touring relentlessly, all over  the world. Maybe the three things you’ve realized are the necessary things you always have to have? Like the three essentials. 

Jon Muq: Like the things I have to have with me? Of course, the guitar, I have to have it because I always perform solo. I have to be healthy to be present and joyous. My cables and that kind of thing, my equipment. It’s a simple question, but it’s really difficult. 

NES: Then you played Massachusetts three times last year, but you were just in New Zealand and Australia. Has there been a country or a place that has been really cool for you to perform in, see, or explore? 

Jon: Australia and New Zealand were really good. It’s like a different type of world. It was really, really amazing to go check it out and see how people accept music there. It was really heartfelt and really cool. 

NES: Then you’ve been on this tour in the States since April 5th. So you’ve been touring since April, but you’re returning to Boston on Friday. You’re in Washington, DC tonight. How have these shows been going so far for you? 

Jon: The shows have been going well so far. I did the Sing Us Home festival this weekend, which went so well. Two weeks ago, I was touring with Valerie June; all those shows went successfully as planned. So, I’m really excited about this run this week.

NES: You’ve put in a lot of effort, and you’ve been touring a ton. Last time you were at City Winery, you were the opener, and now obviously, you’re the headliner. How have you been planning these sets? How have you been planning what you want to play, considering you have more time? 

Jon: I always tell the story of how the song was created, the songs, and how they got connected to me. I create all the set-lists from that told story, which is a long, long story. Sometimes it just helps to elevate the show.

NES: From what I remember, you’ve been working with Dan Auerbach pretty steadily over a good amount of time. And you just released “Hear My Voice” in March. Could you share a little about the story behind that song and how it came together? 

Jon: “Hear My Voice” is inspired by many things. It’s a song about a lot going on in the world, in many camps. Happening in the wild, and many people still need a voice. And loved ones hear a voice, or if you’re far away and you’re working, like with the army or any job, someone really needs to hear your voice. So I did a song telling someone where it was like, do you hear my voice, because wherever I am, you’re the one thing I’m thinking of. There were many other inspirations, but that’s the core of that song. 

NES: Then, the last record you released was in March of last year, but from what I know, correct me if I’m wrong, you’re currently working with Dan Auerbach  (of The Black Keys) again. How has it been to grow that partnership with him? I know he was the one who reached out to you originally, but how has it been to grow that relationship with him as you continue to work together? 

Jon: It’s all about learning and growing. So, when I met him, I had a different perspective about what people say about the person and how to view the person in real time. So it was the kind of confusion when I met him, and I learned from it. Because people saw him in a famous way, and I got to meet and work with him as just a person. He’s going to work with me to produce an album. He flew me back and forth to Nashville. We’d jam and play guitars and correct stuff with the songs, and we’re just collaborating to make a good project. 

NES: That’s good, we’re all people after all. And then is there something that you’ve recently tried, in working with him, like something new you’ve tried or that’s changed about your song-writing process, if it has? I know you probably can’t talk too much about the album. 

Jon: I’m from Uganda, and I’ve been leaning into afro beats. So, I’ve been writing an album of afro beats and trying to spend time in my small studio at home, making my album with infrared sound. 

NES: How long have you been in the States now? Three or four years? 

Jon: In the States? No, in total it’s seven years. Without Covid, it’s five years. 

NES: I don’t count that time. 

Jon: I don’t count that time because it was unproductive. 

NES: Yeah, you couldn’t control it. You weren’t able to be out and playing. Then we know what’s coming up for you. You’re playing Bonnaroo, which is huge. You’re playing many festivals, but maybe hopes or goals for you over the next few months as you create this new album and stay on the road?

Jon: More writing, maybe with other musicians, and collaborating on new songs. Honestly, connecting with different musicians is my priority.