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Interview with M the Myth – Pin-up Boy

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman October 10, 2024 11:00 am Tagged With: California, electro pop, indie pop, Los Angeles, Pop, singer, songwriter, United States

M the Myth - Pin-up Boy

A passionate advocate for the arts and social change, M the Myth is a graduate of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU). Their non-profit, The Wavy Awards, gained special recognition at CGIU’s annual meeting, leading to a partnership with Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton Foundation. M the Myth’s academic achievements are equally impressive, with a Master of Music in Music Production and a Master of Arts in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, complemented by their training at the Los Angeles-based production school Icon Collective.

With a unique sound that blends electro-pop with deeply personal, socially conscious themes, M the Myth continues to break boundaries and inspire audiences with their artistry and activism.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with M the Myth about the latest music, AI, dream collabs, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some AIs a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?

My friend and mentor, mixing engineer, Rachel Alina (New Music Engineering/Berklee) described AI using this amazing analogy: imagine you’re living in a society of hunter-gatherers, no tech, just you and the land. Then suddenly a car appears, and in an instant, you can travel like never before. But here’s the catch—you don’t know how to drive the car. You still know the land, you can navigate by the stars, and if you learn how to drive the car using what you already know, it’ll take you on new adventures faster and more efficiently.

I really resonate with that. Initially, I was terrified by AI. I’ve spent so much of my life learning and mastering the art of music, and suddenly, AI can do what took me years in an instant. It felt like someone had taken away my paintbrush. But then I realized—I’m the hunter-gatherer. I know the land. If I can learn how to drive this AI ‘car,’ it’ll help me push my creativity in directions I never imagined. There’s a risk, especially as AI replicates things like voices in songs, but I think we’ll see policies put in place, like California’s ban on AI replicants of actors, to protect artists. It’s the wild west right now, but it’s also an opportunity for groundbreaking co-creation.

I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not your favorite, what’s in your top 3?

Ugh, this is so hard! But if I have to choose, I think the artistry, production, vocals, and writing of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” is just flawless. It gives me goosebumps every single time. And yes, I love Dolly’s original version too!

Lady Gaga is another one who’s been a staple for me as an artist. She broke so many boundaries, especially for queer artists and fans, and she’s been a constant source of inspiration for me. And I have to mention my favorite listen: the first time I listened to Dark Side of the Moon. It was unreal. I was totally sober, but I swear it felt like an acid trip—the music was responding to my thoughts in real-time. It’s one of the most immersive and mind-blowing listening experiences I’ve ever had!

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with Pin-up Boy? What’s the backstory?

I wanted to create something that was unlike anything I’d ever done before—something raw, gritty, and sexy but in a really grounded way. I’m trans non-binary, but weirdly, I found myself gravitating toward singing about being a boy. I realized I wanted this track to speak to men and help them feel like they can let go, release, and give up control. Receiving energy is just as important, if not more important, than giving it.

I think the universe works in a state of receptivity—our existence isn’t about dominating or taking control, but about letting go and allowing things to happen. We’ve been fed this lie, this patriarchal belief, that we need to seize power to achieve our purpose, but I don’t think that’s true. I wanted Pin-up Boy to challenge those ideas while also being an anthem of body empowerment and sexual liberation. It’s about shifting the way we perceive gender and ourselves.

Can you tease a little about the upcoming music video for Pin-up Boy?

I’ve never shown so much booty before! It’s hot, it’s gender fluid, and it’s got all the body positivity vibes. I can’t wait for you to see it!

What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?

It depends on how bad the day is. If it’s really bad, I’ll unplug from society, maybe a little too much at times, but it’s necessary for me to reset. Meditation plays a big role in that. Earlier this year, I went on a 10-day silent meditation retreat in Hawaii. It was beautiful, tough, but so rejuvenating. It really taught me how to train my mind to find peace in chaos—which is why I love chaos. It’s the perfect environment to find your center. Without chaos, there would be stillness, but I think chaos helps us leap into the next realm of creation.

When I’m performing, there’s this magical moment that happens. I don’t always know what I’m doing beforehand, but suddenly, an idea hits me, and it lights up my whole body. It’s that moment I live for, and everything gravitates toward that idea once it appears. It’s magic!

For music, I need to get everything out—emotion, energy, unsaid thoughts. Music is catharsis. When there’s no music in my life, and trust me, there have been times like that, it feels incredibly sad. I’ve built my life so music is always around me, and the opportunity to create is ever-present. I also believe that songs can be spells. Write a song about what you want, and you can manifest it into your life.

If you could collaborate with anyone—dead or alive, famous or unknown—who would it be and why?

Oh, I’d love to work with Medusa again! They’re a revenge pop superstar and an incredible producer. It would be so, so sick to do another track with them, especially after we hosted the Wavys together. The vibes were off the charts!

And of course, I wish I could have worked with SOPHIE. She was on another level with sound design and production. Her influence is literally in Pin-up Boy through some Splice samples, so in a way, she’s part of the track. And can I sing with all the Spice Girls too, please?

Where is the best place for fans to stay connected with you?

Instagram, for sure! You can find me at @mthemyth. I’m always checking my DMs, so don’t be shy—say hi!

I appreciate your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?

Oh my Goddexx, yes, yes, yes, yes! If you’re ready to experience the hottest queer club in New York City—like, right now—then you need to check out Pin-up Boy. If you’re looking to get stabbed on the dance floor, this club has everything for you: human piñatas stuffed with glitter, mini Franzia boxed wine fountains, a group of mimes that only communicate in RuPaul quotes, and everyone in the club is named Dido. And the dark room? Oh honey, the dark room has more booty than a pirate convention at Fire Island during Pride!

Lol. We love Bill Hader. But in all seriousness, I hope everyone who listens to Pin-up Boy feels a sense of relief, release, and joy. That’s what it’s all about—letting go and just being free. And I can’t wait to share the music video next month, so please stay tuned for that! It’s going to be wild!

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About Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman

Joshua is a Music Business Consultant currently serving as COO of Unlimited Sounds, a boutique publishing admin & consulting firm based in Sacramento, California. He also serves as COO of Pac Ave Records. He is an archivist via Indie Music Discovery.com, co-founded with C Bret Campbell in 2011 in Manchester, Tennessee. He is also a Father of 3 and an all purpose Jedi... but before any of this, he was and still creates as an indie/DIY artist. Connect on IG. Read full bio.

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