More & More by John Muka Band (Interview 2026)

Edition Thirty-Eight – Week Thirty-Eight; Unit 2:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

Introduction

There’s something deeply immersive about the music of John Muka Band. Blending indie rock, soul, folk, jazz, and improvisational jam-band energy into one expansive sound, the Jacksonville-based collective creates songs that feel cinematic without losing emotional intimacy. At the heart of the band is singer-songwriter John Muka alongside bassist-producer Troy Towsley, whose long-running creative partnership has shaped a project rooted in collaboration, vulnerability, and live musical chemistry. Rather than chasing genre labels, the band leans into atmosphere, groove, and storytelling — crafting performances that evolve organically from night to night. Their music balances carefully structured songwriting with moments of raw improvisation, resulting in songs that feel both deeply personal and powerfully communal.

Short Review

On Things I Can’t Change, John Muka Band deliver an emotionally layered album that merges introspective songwriting with expansive, jam-driven arrangements. Drawing influence from artists like Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and the Pixies while maintaining a distinct identity of their own, the band creates a sound that moves fluidly between soulful restraint and explosive release. Tracks like “No Reason,” “Be There,” and the title track wrestle with memory, healing, accountability, and acceptance, while violin, horns, slide guitar, and textured rhythms give the record a rich, cinematic depth. What makes the album resonate most is its honesty — every song feels lived-in rather than performed. Things I Can’t Change is less about escaping the past and more about learning how to carry it forward with grace.

Q&A

Your music blends indie rock, jam-band improvisation, soul, folk, and jazz influences so naturally. How did the band’s sound evolve into what it is today?

“The sound really evolved from everyone bringing their own musical history into the room and allowing the songs to grow naturally instead of forcing them into one specific genre. Some of us come from indie and alternative rock backgrounds, others from jazz, soul, funk, folk, jam bands, and even orchestral influences. Rather than trying to smooth those differences out, we leaned into them. A big part of the evolution happened live. We discovered early on that when we left space in the songs, something unique started happening between the players. A song could begin as a straightforward indie-rock idea and then suddenly open up into a groove-heavy jam section, or a violin and saxophone passage would take it somewhere unexpected emotionally. Over time, that became part of the identity of the band. We’ve also tried to keep the songwriting emotionally honest. Even when arrangements become layered or expansive, the core is always about connection, melody, and atmosphere. The result is something that hopefully feels both familiar and unpredictable at the same time.”

What impact or emotion would you like for people to experience when listening to your newest single release, “More & More,” and how do you believe this will happen for each listener?

“With “More & More,” we wanted people to feel movement — emotionally and physically. There’s a tension in the song between desire, reflection, frustration, and release. It builds in layers, and ideally listeners get pulled into that progression in their own personal way. What’s interesting is that every listener brings their own experiences into the song. Some people connect to the energy and groove first, while others focus on the lyrics or atmosphere. We don’t necessarily want to dictate one exact meaning. The best songs become mirrors for people’s own emotions and memories. Musically, the dynamic shifts help create that experience. The quieter moments pull you inward, while the larger instrumental sections create release and momentum. We wanted it to feel immersive — something you can either sit with emotionally or completely lose yourself in while driving, walking, or hearing it live.”

Many modern bands lean heavily into polished production, but your music still feels organic and human. Was maintaining that live energy intentional in the studio?

“Absolutely. That was very intentional.

We love great production, but we never wanted to polish the personality out of the music. A lot of what makes music memorable is the human element — small imperfections, interaction between players, spontaneous moments, and emotional dynamics that happen naturally when musicians are reacting to each other in real time. For us, the studio wasn’t about creating something artificially perfect. It was about capturing a moment and preserving the chemistry of the band. A lot of the parts evolved through playing together rather than building everything piece by piece on a grid. Because we’re such a live-oriented band, we wanted listeners to feel like the recordings still breathe. We want people to hear the energy of real musicians in a room making something together. That organic feeling becomes even more important today because so much modern music can feel overly processed or disconnected emotionally.”

What are some upcoming announcements for the band?

“We’ve got a lot happening right now. There will definitely be more live shows announced soon, and we’re continuing to build out new material both in the studio and on stage. We’re also putting a major focus on visual content — more live performance reels, behind-the-scenes studio footage, and creative videos that give people a better sense of who we are as a band beyond just the recordings. Another exciting part is that the songs continue evolving live. Some newer arrangements and extended sections are starting to emerge during performances, which is something we really enjoy exploring. And honestly, we feel like we’re still only scratching the surface of what this lineup can become creatively.”

Where can we hear more, and why should we?

“You can find us on all major streaming platforms and across social media under John Muka Band. If you connect with music that feels authentic, emotionally driven, and a little unpredictable, we think there’s something here worth exploring. We’re trying to create music that rewards repeat listens — songs where you notice different textures, lyrics, and musical interactions each time you come back to them.

And if you really want to experience the full spirit of the band, come see us live. That’s where the improvisation, energy, and connection between the musicians fully opens up.”

Anything to add here?

“More than anything, we’re grateful for everyone who’s been listening, sharing the music, coming to shows, and supporting independent artists. Building something organically takes time, and every person who connects with the music genuinely helps move things forward.

We’re excited about where things are headed, and we hope people continue taking the journey with us as the music keeps evolving.”