29-03-2023 Music 126

Rob Munk presents Run!

Rob Munk - Run. The Experiment

ROB MUNK presents 'Run!' - a high-energy treat from his debut 'Phased Out' LP, out now via Magic Door Record Label

FOR FANS OF: Sebadoh, Built To Spill, Pavement, Granddaddy, Sparklehorse, Belle And Sebastian, The Shins, Built To Spill, Guided By Voices, Big Star, The Replacements, Parquet Courts
FOCUS TRACKS: Amazon, Slumber, Youth, Ghosts of San Francisco, Run, Heavy Shoes, Phased Out

"A crunchy blast of indie rock bliss that’s redolent with laconic charm and unexpected longing. Bringing to mind everyone from Built To Spill to Australia’s late great Soap Star Joe...  as dynamic and hook-laden as it gets" ~ Stereo Embers Magazine

"Sassy power-pop... the same blend of jaunt and joyfulness and slightly downbeat and world-weariness running through their music as, say, The Lemonheads or The Dandy Warhols. Not to mention no small amount of early R.E.M. wonky majesty" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Enjoyable, danceable, moshable – timeless in the same way as Pixies and Throwing Muses will never seem old. But Munk’s music itself is perhaps closer to Sebadoh, Sparklehorse, The Shins, Fastball, Weezer or Presidents of the USA" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"Munk’s an idealistic singer/songwriter with great guitar and vocal chops, not to mention stellar songwriting skills" ~ Popular Culture Beat

New Jersey-based indie rocker Rob Munk presents the video for 'Run',
a fun upbeat offering for the ears and spirit. The accompanying video was written and directed by Iam Williams with animation and editing by lincktendo.

the latest single from his debut album 'Phased Out', released both digitally and on vinyl via Montclair-based Magic Door Record Label. a grassroots imprint founded by Guided by Voices' Kevin March, producer Ray Ketchem and artist-vocalist Renée LoBue.

"Run! Is about sprinting through life with reckless abandon, so it only makes sense that the video feell like an 80’s style 8-bit video game, both nostalgic and fun. Run! is the perfect springtime anthem for those ready to get outside, smash some bottles on the street and really blossom,” says Rob Munk.

Munk comes back with a strong return after 20+ years since Munk left the music scene at the turn of the century. Now available on limited edition 12" fully recycled colored vinyl, supporters will also receive the digital download upon purchase. This collection, which Munk calls "a little poppy, a little sloppy and entirely honest", features better and more personal songs than ever before.

This album was produced, recorded, mastered and partially mixed at Magic Door Recording by Ray Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Gramercy Arms, Luna and Elk City. Mixed in Oakland by Chuck Johnson at Cirrus Oxide, Munk recorded this album during the pandemic with actor-writer-artist Daniel London (Old Joy, Minority Report, Manhattan) and Tinsel drummer Joe Ventura.

"Phased Out is now officially out in the world, ready to begin its slow trudge towards obsolescence or meteoric rise to greatness, depending on the listener. The journey truly has been the reward, and it’s been so creatively rewarding. As it turns out, it takes a village to make a solo record, and I have immeasurable gratitude towards the village people that helped make this real," says Rob Munk.

Earlier, Munk released the singles 'Youth', 'Amazon', 'Slumber' 'Heavy Shoes (to kill the blues)' and 'Ghosts of San Francisco'. With elements of 1990’s and 2000's indie rock and traces of 1970’s AM pop, this is music that respects people's emotional intelligence.

Munk's foray into show business began as an actor in commercials (including Jello pudding with Bill Cosby) and movies (cast as young Woody Allen in 'Stardust Memories'). At 14, he jumped ship on acting to form a band and his life changed. His band Thudpucker was a staple on the 1990s Boston rock (opening for Pavement, Hole, Afghan Whigs and Juliana Hatfield) and later formed Tinsel in Chapel Hill, NC (supporting the likes of Polvo, Guided By Voices, Pipe and Come), plus cover bands with Superchunk and Firehose members. These bands eventually imploded of natural rock and roll causes.

Munk eventually returned to acting, including scenes with Tina Fey, Tony Hale, John Goodman and Paul Giammatti. After moving to LA for a pilot season but getting no traction there, Rob launched the now-defunct blog 'LoserActor', creatively chronicling his daily humiliation. Noticed by the famed ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, Rob returned to NYC as a copywriter and creative director, writing huge campaigns for ESPN, Delta Airlines and AT&T.

The 'Phased Out' LP is available now on vinyl via Bandcamp and everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and other fine outlets.

'RUN' SINGLE CREDITS
Written by Rob Munk
Released by Magic Door Record Label
Rob Munk - vocals, guitar
Daniel London - lead guitar
Scott Anthony - bass
Joe Ventura - drums
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording
Album cover artwork by Ron Liberti
Video written and directed by Iam Williams
Animation and editing by lincktendo


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