We happened upon the glorious fuzzy pop of Man From Atlantis a few days ago, written by Mint Eastwood – a person we were previously unaware of. The tracks takes the lo-Fi melancholy of Grandaddy, a hint of Teenage Fanclub and a healthy dose of synths and synth-pop and you have this intimate little comfort blanket of a pop song.
We had to find out a little more, so we tracked down Mint Eastwood
Hi Mint Eastwood, tell us a little about yourself?
I’ve been making music in various forms for years now. From guitar bands to one-man electronic projects I’ve done it all. I have been releasing music as Mint Eastwood for about a year now. The idea was just to get back to basics with pop sensibilities and things like melodies and hooks but I just can’t seem to make music that is too straight so it began to evolve into a psych / indie / fuzz-synth sound which seemed to work for me.
I’m based on the moors between Manchester and Huddersfield. I’m currently working on new music with a single due out before March and a lot of new tracks in production.
Recent highlights include getting picked on the BBC 6music Tom Robinson Freshnet Fresh Faves and some great reviews on leading US blogs Austin Town Hall & Buffablog.
Who inspired you to start making music
My older brother got me in to playing the guitar when I was a kid. He learnt to play properly, and I just copied him. We did start a band together once but that didn’t end well. We didn’t see eye to eye on music.
And the one (or maybe two) records that inspired you artistically?
I remember going into a record shop 2000 with my brother. I had enough money to buy a CD I saw this cover art which was super lofi. Like a photo of some mountains and a green grass with some computer keys laid on top spelling ‘THE SOPHTWARE SLUMP’ and a cut out piece of paper saying ‘GRANDADDY’. For some reason I was drawn to it and bought it. When I got home and put it on my mind was blown. I’ve been a Grandaddy mega fan ever since.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say?
I always hate trying to explain my musical sound because I like to think that I can do pretty much anything and sound like anything. The Mint Eastwood sound overall is laid back, fuzzy, indie I guess.
Tell us about your new track?
My latest release is a single called ‘Man from Atlantis’. I guess I was trying to set myself the task of writing a three minute pop song. I wanted to see if I could be decisive and structured enough to pull it off. The songs I make grow in my home studio, so structure is something I always struggle with.
All my music is self released and I do all my own art, video work and PR. I really struggle to fit it all in and I have to be focused to keep writing and making new music with trying to keep up with things like this.
Where can we get hold of it?
The single is available on all digital platforms. This is a link to find it on your favourite service – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/minteastwood/man-from-atlantis
Tell us how you write?
As I said previously, the tracks grow. I start with some chords on the synth or guitar and try to make loops which I piece together into structures. At the same time, I might have vocal ideas which I also add as guide tracks. Its quite a slow process of refinement but it works for me.
Tell us about you’re live show? And how much have you been missing it recently?
I haven’t done any live shows yet as Mint Eastwood. I keep toying with the idea of setting up a live stream and performing some of the music but I just haven’t had the time yet to put it in to action. I do love the idea of performing some of this music live though.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
Another single is due early March. I have no idea what will happen after that. I do plan to keep making and releasing music.
Tell us your favourite record(s) that’s rocking your stereo?
I’m currently mad on the ‘Muzz’ album ‘Muzz’. I listen to that a lot. There is a cool band from Bristol called ‘Hamburger’ who have a six track record called ‘Teenage Terrified’ which I’m loving. Always listening to DIIV, Cathedral Bells, Grandaddy etc etc…
Go follow Mint Eastwood, here
Social Links:
https://twitter.com/EastwoodMint
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPbaPTh1jbs1JEH4kAUSBnQ
https://www.facebook.com/minteastwoood
https://minteastwood.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sf56TiVSjZpmnCY3EWmtF?si=j3ieUTRpQICgZVQFyNSW4w
