Los Angeles-based band Muna is experiencing a surge in popularity, playing to larger audiences than ever before a decade into their career. The group, known for its propulsive sound, is preparing for its "Gets So Hot Tour" this autumn, a name inspired by a track from their latest album.
Their current success coincides with a broader mainstream acceptance of genres labeled "queer pop," with artists like Chappell Roan, Renée Rapp, Lil Nas X, and Troye Sivan achieving significant crossover appeal. Muna's members, Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson, feel they were positioned at the forefront of this movement.
"I do feel we were at the cusp of the reclamation of the word 'queer'," said Maskin. "To us, it's actually a celebratory term, because it's inclusive, it includes everybody in the LGBTQI+ community."
McPherson added that the term originated in academia, referencing "queer theory." The band acknowledged initial internal discussions about openly identifying as queer during their early years in the 2010s, a period they described as the "hipster Pitchfork era." They expressed a desire for mystery and privacy, but McPherson encouraged them to embrace authenticity.
"We've only become more ourselves," McPherson stated.
Despite the celebratory nature of the term, Muna also grapples with the potential for it to be restrictive. The band aims for their music to resonate universally, even as they acknowledge its inherently queer subject matter and life experiences.
"The subject matter we write about is queer in its essence, and so are our life experiences," McPherson explained. "The issue that we struggle with is wanting that to also be accepted as just a human experience, as well – especially in these times of great repression."
The band has also reflected on challenging live performances, including one particularly disastrous gig where the audience's pets became agitated, a humorous anecdote that has become a part of their history. Their music often incorporates political themes, reflecting the band's commitment to embedding social commentary within their artistic output.