A TRIP to Europe or America usually sparks a period of self-discovery and independence for the millions of 20-somethings who embark on this journey every year.
For Australian electro-pop artist, Muscles – real name Chris Copulos — his expedition to America and Europe ignited the creation of his second album Manhood.
He said his journey abroad allowed him to ditch his own rules and expectations and create an album that was much sexier and mature in sound.
“Travelling to America and Europe I met many different types of people. Some were strong willed others were musicians and artists, and I just learnt so much from these people,” he said.
“I feel that I have matured and my music has also matured. You know I’m kind of in that stage in my life where relationships matter.
“I feel this album has the right balance to it and by going overseas I’ve learnt to pull down all my expectations and all my rules that I had for myself.
“It allowed me to break down who I was before and develop into a new mature me and I think that really shows in this album because I really wear my heart on my sleeve.”
Manhood is a concept album, which means each song is a epilogue connected to another song off his first album Guns Babes Lemonade, released in 2007.
“Each track is a story which follows on from the first album and I feel each song kind of ends the story to the first album.”
Muscles described his latest mix as an album that shows his new outlook on life as well as his new style of sound.
“I feel this album is just so much sexier.
“It’s much louder and it has this ready-to-party vibe.”
In the album, Muscles suggests his audience listen to the songs with headphones.
“I’ve added secret geeky equations and codes that listeners have to figure out but they will only be able to figure it out if they listen very closely.”
He said he had kept true to his original sound.
“I feel my music still has that Muscles tone to it. It’s not like all the other music on the radio who have incorporated dubstep into their music or you know added the old jazz tracks into the song. It still my own version of dance music and I think that’s very important in identifying my own style.
“It shows my originality.”
Muscles burst onto the scene in 2007 with the track titled One Inch Badge Pin.
He soon signed to Modular and released the catchy titled song Ice Cream, which was than followed by the even catchier song Sweaty.
Muscles said his first taste of the music industry was at a Kylie Minogue concert.
“I can’t remember if I was with my mum or my sister but I remember going to a Kylie Minogue concert and I remember her big curly hair which was also on the CD.
“I use to watch Young Talent Time on TV and copy all the dance moves and sing.
“My parents tell me that I have always been dancing and singing to music.
“I can also play the piano so I think a career in the music industry was only natural.”
Next, Muscles will tour around the country to promote Manhood.
He will also perform at the upcoming music festival, Spelndour in The Grass, in July.