Additional Information
Born from the wacky minds of Montreal producers and DJs The Fitness (Darien Pons), Lou Roots (Louis Racine) and GabaGhoul (Gabriel Chenart), The Mugzy and Maam Show is a playful and zany cross between the Muppet Show and underground dance music. Like the Puppetmastaz or Mr. Oizo’s Flat Eric, the Mugzy & Maam Show brings a bit of madness and derision to DJ sets or electro shows that are too often static and linear. On the other hand, the three heads behind these puppets don’t fall into gaudiness and easy humour. There is a real work of conception and reflection behind the comical aspect of these two cardboard aliens who have fallen by accident in Montreal, a city where they have set themselves the goal of producing music, seeking happiness, and alerting humans to the dangers of losing their community.
The Fitness, Lou Roots and GabaGhoul talked to us about this unusual show.
PAN M 360: Tell us how this crazy project came about.
Lou Roots: The idea came about in December 2019. It stems from the desire to bring a more visual and playful aspect to the generic DJ set. We were inspired by Daft Punk or Mr. Oizo with his Flat Eric puppet.
The Fitness: Once the puppets were imagined, we had to give them a personality, create a story, a setting. So we worked a lot on that, hoping to ultimately bring some fun and extravagance to the underground dance scene. It’s ultimately easier to comment on our society and this underground scene through puppets as well.
PAN M 360: What does the show consist of?
The Fitness: The Mugzy & Maam Show is two puppets doing a DJ set for about an hour. Since we handle the puppets, we can’t really play live so all the music was pre-recorded by us three. But since MUTEK asked us to do a longer show, we added half an hour. There’s a secondary character called Shteve Kelly, who I play, who is a kind of awkward party boy and a fan of Mugzy and Maam. At one point during the set, he spills his drink on the puppets’ audio equipment, frying the circuits and muting the sound. So this forces the puppeteers to reveal themselves and take their instruments and machines for a half hour live set.
GabaGhoul: Mugzy and Maam bring a more theatrical side to DJ sets that are too often similar, where you see a DJ behind his machines and not much else. We’re transforming that a bit to give a live performance at Mutek, with different instruments and machines. It’s a way to show that we are the ones making the music, and who we are.
PAN M 360: Who are Mugzy and Maam?
The Fitness: They are two aliens from a distant planet, who have to flee from it because it is being invaded by a huge fungus. So the pair escape in a spaceship built by Mugzy, which ultimately crashes in Montreal. A little lost, without family or friends, the two protagonists find comfort in underground dance music. They discover a mode of expression and a community of friends, which ultimately saves them.
PAN M 360: Who designed these puppets?
The Fitness: Our friend Gen Wade’s company Material Things made the puppets. We asked her about three years ago because we think she does beautiful work.
PAN M 360: Will the show at MUTEK be the first of the Mugzy & Maam Show?
Lou Roots: The project hasn’t been fully unveiled yet despite a few performances here and there, at Mural for example. So we consider the show at MUTEK as the real premiere of the Mugzy & Maam Show.
The Fitness: I think puppets take a lot of adults of a certain generation back to their childhood, with Sesame Street and the Muppet Show for example, but in a more underground context. It’s very fun and accessible and we’re surprised that MUTEK was interested in us, because our music is not very experimental. But with the sets, the puppets and the music, it gives a more alternative dimension. This motivated us to develop our show. Although it doesn’t sound very serious, this show is not a joke, because we don’t make jokes at MUTEK (laughs).
GabaGhoul: It’s not very MUTEK sounding, but we are quite proud and grateful that MUTEK trusted us without even really seeing the show. I think it shows once again how MUTEK likes to open the boundaries of electronic music.
THE MUGZY & MAAM SHOW TAKES PLACE AT ESPLANADE TRANQUILLE on SUNDAY AUG 28 During « EXPÉRIENCE 6 » at 5 PM. FREE, INFO HERE!
