We’ve got the premiere play of South-London jazz-funk collective Mulvey’s Medicine’s new track ‘Say Goodbye. We also chat to the guys about their forthcoming EP, influences and more.

The track is the second single lifted from their upcoming EP and is a soothingly smooth number that features the soulful vocals of Grace Walker.

Mulvey’s Medicine’s ethos is centred around providing fun, positivity and making people move, and this last year has taken its meaning to a whole new level. Instead of being a “taster of what’s to come” or a “stepping stone” to the next big album, the new EP is delivered with the ambition that “this project brings people and myself back to a more enjoyable world. I hope this EP will connect to everyone in a deep, personal way that is a gentle reminder that music can cure and uplift your life” says Eddie Mulvey, guitarist and founder of the band.

The new EP is a mix of their trademark booty-shaking / foot-tapping funky instrumentals and some vocal features courtesy of some of London’s best soulful singers joining the funk crusade. The result is a vibrant mix of sounds and influences with blatant musicianship. Mulvey comments, “picking the band was easy, close friends who love groove and have all dived deep into the realms of Jazz has always been our connection. I knew my funky riffs needed their stamp on them.”

Get to know the talented collective ahead of the release of ‘Say Goodbye’ tomorrow.

Tell us a bit about Mulvey’s Medicine? Also, where exactly did the name came from?

‘Medicine’ on its own was taken…. so I chucked my last name into the frying pan to cook things up. The thought behind the name is that music can cure you of – the terrible day you’ve endured, that break up, the traffic jam that won’t end – That’s how I use it when it’s not for pure enjoyment. We are a band of good friends from London who all enjoy pushing each other to our sonic limits and have an unhealthy relationship with all that is funky.

When you first got together, was there any real plan of what kind of music you wanted to make?

Yes, our first album ‘Ignite,’ was mostly made up from guitar riffs in my bedroom. We rehearsed a few times; everyone put their ideas together, then we hit the studio. Super raw, lots of improvisation, very much ourselves on a record. Now the writing has become more in-depth. I still write most of the main ideas, but our keys player guides us with his infinite knowledge of harmony and songwriting – and when you combine that with a drummer marinated in Jazz with a James brown stuffing, a bassist who never needs a clock (as his timing is impeccable), a horn section that eats omnibook for breakfast – then you’ve got yourself a good song! Still, there isn’t much planning; it’s more vibing off each other’s sounds and knowing where to place your mark.

For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound?

Whilst other artists wield their sound like a surgeon’s scalpel, Mulvey’s Medicine are more akin to an unapologetic Funk Hammer.

If each of you had to choose just one influence on your music, who would it be?

Eddie – Eric Krasno
Lef – Robert Glasper
Dave – Miles Davis
Ed – ‘Michael Breaker
Alex – Flea
Jeremy – Art Blakey

You’re about to release your new single ‘Say Goodbye’. Where did the inspiration to bring in Grace Walker come from?

I wrote the chords during a huge phase of listening to and learning everything by Donny Hathaway back at uni and working with our amazing lyricist and world-class songwriter, Jolyn. We’ve all known Grace for years, since uni days and gigs. She grew up hooked on the best soul singers and, whilst inheriting that style, always brings her own game to the table, so it seemed the perfect fit. The song itself is actually rather old now; written back in 2015, it was the first song (unknowingly) that started ‘Mulvey’s Medicine’. I think that the progression the song has made through the years shows how far we have grown as musicians and people.

It is also the second track from your forthcoming EP. Is there a particular vibe you were going for when creating the project?

We definitely tapped into some more soul/funk vibes, more than just jazz. Working with Jolyn and the singers brought in new ideas, working the songs into their style. We all came out of the studio feeling that we created something unique.

And how would you say it differs from your previous material?

On the vocal tracks, our focus changed from lifting our solos to enhancing their flow. Every note and hit was purposely placed to enrich the words Jolyn had written. So these are clearly worlds apart from our first album, and our latest instrumental, ‘Steely Beets’, is like feeding 6 scotch bonnets to our last album, ‘Ignite’. Everyone’s playing with fire on this EP, and we can’t wait for you all to hear it.

Anything else you would like to add? Any closing words for the Twistedsoul community?

Stay Safe, Stay Funky and come to our gig at Hootananny for the EP launch on September 19th.