By Nicholas Jason Lopez
The loss of his beloved grandfather at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic left Mulini in a rollercoaster of fear, anxiety, endurance and perseverance, alongside the entire world in 2020, as they felt life as they knew it before made a literal one-eighty.
The inner battles made for a fitting musical tribute to his greatest inspiration by way of his highly anticipated five-track EP ‘Just Beyond,’ with tracks like “Run,” “Keep Moving,” “Dread” and “Next Year,” the perfect way to sum up the pessimistic, yet realistic tone from the dynamic alternative R&B musician, all felt in real time.
Named after his grandfather’s favorite song – Tex Ritter’s “Just Beyond The Moon,” the EP reminds us that every day could be our last, so seize the moment and don’t let it go.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with the United Kingdom-based up-and-coming artist/producer about ‘Just Beyond’ and more.
Music Bugle – What was it like putting together your latest EP, ‘Just Beyond’?
Mulini – It was a huge undertaking, but I have a great team behind me that trusts what I am doing, which has really helped me reach the next level with this EP. In 2020, like so many of us, I was dealing with a ton of things in my personal life, such as the loss of family, quarantine lockdowns and overall uncertainty, so I ventured to translate those hardships into my work. The creative process became a diary that helped me sort through the ups and downs that I was feeling and allowed me the opportunity to share what I was going through. The EP started as a handful of rough demos in my home studio and after tons of hard work and perseverance, it has gone on to be played on BBC and other radio stations, have film festivals nominate the music videos and help me reach more amazing fans all over the world, a journey that I’m indescribably thankful to have experienced.
Music Bugle – Which of your songs were the hardest to write?
Mulini – There are two types of “hard” that I came across while writing the EP. The first was while writing the single, “Dread.” I had a serious case of writer’s block and couldn’t get my full thoughts out on paper. It took me coming back to the track over and over before I could finally resolve the full composition. The second type of “hard” I experienced was while writing the track, “Next Year.” The song tells a story of what it was like losing family, not being able to have misplaced time back and having the world stand still. Everyone was saying “next year this” and “next year that,” so I took those echoes and shaped them into an anthem that helped me resolve the emotional hurt I was experiencing.
Music Bugle – What inspired the Mulini name?
Mulini – When I started writing and recording, I wanted something that was easy for fans to remember and something that stood out from the crowd of other artists. I came to realize that I needed the separation between myself as a person and myself as an artist, so I changed my family’s surname slightly and Mulini seemed to resonate with the brand I was creating.
Music Bugle – How would you say 2021 has treated you so far?
Mulini – It’s been a busy year for my music and I couldn’t be more excited. It feels like a fresh start after going through the chaos of 2020. So thankful for all the momentum and growth that I’ve had from fans this year. It’s definitely gratifying to have positive responses from something that I worked so intently on.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Mulini – Recently, I’ve been rocking some Kendrick Lamar, Yung Lean and Pa Salieu.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Mulini – “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now,” by Zig Ziglar.
Music Bugle – Have you been working on any new music?
Mulini – I am working on some new singles that will end up following the release of ‘Just Beyond.’ I’m excited to continue reaching fans with stories that are true to my heart. The label and I have decided to keep the release schedule secret for the time being, but I can definitely say that there are some exciting things to follow the release of my second EP.
Music Bugle – What has been your biggest challenge lately?
Mulini – I think the biggest challenge lately has been finding the next chapter of my story that should be shared with listeners. I want to continue telling stories that are true to me and relatable to my listeners, so I’m continuously looking at my life and how I can translate things into song.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Mulini – It definitely helps musicians, but can end up absolutely hindering the artists if they aren’t careful. It’s shocking how easily people can get caught up in the vanity of it all and live in the facade of “likes” and “shares.” Overall, with a balance, it’s a huge digital billboard that can represent you to the entire world and help artists grow.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need an escape?
Mulini – Sometimes, I’ll go for a walk down the road from my house and head up to the top of a massive hill, where I can take in the sunset. I’m a huge fan of anywhere that has a large enough view to help me open my thoughts and momentarily escape.
