The streaming music era has ushered in an eclectic blend of artists who defy traditional trends, creating genre-bending productions that expand the ever-changing pop music sonic palette. One such trailblazing act is Muo Duo, a New York-based brother-sister duo comprising Miles and Winter Donnelly. Their aptly titled and widely acclaimed 2022 EP, Tasting Menu, showcased their core ethos to maximum effect and was followed by their 2023 release, Afterpop. Now, ignited by their upcoming first single of 2024, “Exciting Times,” Muo Duo has announced the first of three EPs slated for release in 2024, The Muo Theory. The EP’s third single, “20th Century Girl,” has released on May 3, 2024. Miles Donnelly, who started studying composition at Juilliard in high school, learned all the rules of music in order to know the perfect way to break them. As a singer, producer, songwriter, trumpeter, and award-winning film score composer, Miles takes inspiration from The Beatles, Tyler The Creator, and Freddie Hubbard, crafting Muo Duo’s signature indie pop meets hip hop sound. While studying biology and astrophysics at The University of Chicago, Miles played in various indie bands, reflecting his diverse interests and talents. “The idea behind both of our previous EPs, Tasting Menu and Afterpop, was to showcase a little bit of everything we can do,” he explains. This was evident in their 2023 singles “Ruby Road,” “Muo Duo Show,” and “Brainwaves,” which highlighted their production skills, feature curation, vocal ability, and songwriting prowess, providing listeners with a new experience on every track. Winter Donnelly, at just 14 years old, has already carved out an impressive career. She played young Elsa in Disney’s Broadway production of Frozen and has appeared on Sesame Street and Netflix’s Manifest. Currently, she sings in the children’s chorus at the MET Opera, continuing to pursue her passions while bringing serious vocal talent to Muo Duo. “Miles and I have naturally found a way to blend our vocal sound and we love singing together, finding new ways to express ourselves,” Winter shares. Their separate careers converged during the pandemic when their family hunkered down in rural Vermont. Living as mountain hermits, they found making music to be a great escape and a way to connect with others who were also feeling isolated. They recorded their first songs in a makeshift sound booth created by leaning two mattresses against each other. Over the past two years, Muo Duo has developed a unique, genre-bending style that knows no bounds. Their innovative videos and electrifying multimedia live concert performances in NYC further set them apart. “Music is addictive. Whenever you get that moment where everything comes together and the tune just hits, it is the most amazing feeling,” says Miles. Their newest single, “20th Century Girl,” is a testament to their versatile production, storytelling, and vocal prowess. The song tells the story of a girl watching the world go by from her cell phone, highlighting the disconnection and identity fragmentation caused by the internet and social media. “People were not made for this world run by the internet and social media. When your personality is split in so many mirrors, it is hard to keep track of who you really are,” Miles reflects. Winter, drawing on her Broadway experience and various TV appearances, delivers a performance reminiscent of Ariana Grande, full of pop vocal decadence and pure drama. Remember the name Muo Duo. Their sound is one you’ll come to know and love.
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