Umlaut have recently launched their latest single Every Time, a shapeshifting rock track that is melodically luscious and deeply satisfying. With a chorus that doesn’t quit, Every Time is an eccentric rock anthem that is impossible to forget!
Umlaut is the project of multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Clinton “Bär’ McKinnon. After spending years on the road as the jack-of-all-trades member of Mr.Bungle, Bär settled in Melbourne in the early 2000s and has been releasing work as Umlaut ever since. The current lineup of Umlaut includes long time bassist Shane Lieber (An Easier Question) and musical wunderkind Angus Leslie (Sex on Toast). As well as the legendary drummer Danny Heifetz (Mr.Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3).
The Everblack Podcast spoke to Clinton ‘Bar’ McKinnon from Umlaut to talk about their new single Every Time, upcoming album, Mr Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3, mortality and more!
Watch/listen to the interview here:
After moving to Australia in the early 2000s, the core member of Mr.Bungle, McKinnon dedicated himself to exploring the depth of the composition in a rock-format. And Umlaut became the perfect vehicle for this. Every Time borrows from classic ‘70s rock but is complemented by Umlaut’s trademark harmonic complexity. A reflection of a recollection, the track’s Thin Lizzy-esque sound tells a colorful, sonic story. While the addition of another classical member of Mr.Bungle, Danny Heifetz, adds the necessary degree of experimentalism to the project.
‘A dream came true!’ – says Bär, who’d musically reconnected with the old colleague for the first time since the release of ‘California’: ‘Danny is a really good musician and delight to behold.’
“I was losing my mind, frantically composing music for a TV show” – explains Clinton ‘Bar’ McKinnon: “And all of a sudden, as if borne of angels this simple figure appeared with a bit of fun, yeah? A wee pull-over from the day-to-day TV music grind. A detour-mantra to reset my rattled psychology. Put a goofy voice memo on the phone then built it out with a few more sections.”
‘Every Time’ is available now via Bandcamp here.
