The last time we checked in on Mulva, we were watching the Milwaukee/Chicago pop-punk project with a Seinfeld-related name play at Cactus Club during halftime of a Packers playoff blowout against the Cowboys. It was awesome (both the set and the game). Since that memorable afternoon outing, Mulva has performed semi-regularly in both of their hometowns, they’ve toured a bit, and they’ve evidently also been writing and recording material for a new EP.
Though that EP—entitled Optimistic Little Man—won’t fully see the light of day until October 3, the band wanted to preempt some late summer shows by giving listeners a preview of what’s to come. Today, Mulva is allowing Milwaukee Record to debut its first single from that forthcoming release before it hits streamers this weekend. As the song’s name suggests, “Be You” is a rollicking track that centers on overarching themes of individuality, self-expression, and nonconformity.
“The song is about being who you are and not trying to fit in for the sake of it,” Mulva singer/guitarist Mike Muse tells Milwaukee Record. “I grew up in a tiny little town in Indiana. I felt like a black sheep, like I didn’t belong, and that I had to pretend to be like the other kids. I grew up and realized that it was lame, and it’s awesome to not be like everyone else.”
Adding to Muse’s catchy melodies (including the oft-repeated recommendation to “be you” because “normal’s fucking boring”) are massive guitar tones, lively percussion, chunky distorted bass, and even a dash xylophone. Like the song says, you should do whatever you’d like, but we personally think you should give it a listen!
Mulva will play in support of The Stinkeyes at New Moon Cafe in Oshkosh on Saturday, August 24 and will be part of an August 31 Cactus Club bill that also includes New Junk City, Brave You, and Glitzy. You can stream the lead single from Optimistic Little Man below and presave the song before its official August 24 release.