Aaron Snyder, aka Big Daddy Mugglestone, stepped into the world in 1981. His Anorvalestian, Colorado, home life took a dramatic turn when for his 13th birthday he received a Fostex 4-track recorder. 1994’s s/t release “Big Daddy Mugglestone and his Cheap Paper Toys” featured the young crooner crafting farcical fantasy-laden tracks mainly with vocals and drums. Times were getting crazy, and Big Daddy was growing up fast, playin in Jazz combos and making tape manipulated remixes of improv sessions many of which are now featured on the Valis Records release ‘Mugglestone Remix Archives Vols. I & II’.
Mugglestone then land ed at Indiana University where he polished his passionate interest in Ethnomusicology/Folklore after working and studying in Africa and Asia in 2000. These academic years brought about the first publications from the Mugglestone Family Trust, including ‘The FUCKART antifesto’ and ‘Bible N Braille’, both from 2002.
‘Czech Yr Head and Yr Ass Will Follow’ (2003) was the result of Big Daddy’s first taste of Europe, living in Prague and writing ‘People Drown N Bathtubs’ (as Guardant Mugglestone). Returning home, The Mugglestone Omni-Corp decided to open up shop as VALIS Records, reissuing ‘Tempest Mantra’ (with Prabu Estarius) and the first 2 solo records as well as the double disk archives series and The Assdroids ‘For the First Time’ (with Pisces Motherfucker).
In 2005, Mugglestone relocated to Berlin and has expand ed the empire to include ‘The Mugglestone Revue’ (his tribute ot the best songs and singers of old), ‘The Mugglestone Jubillee Singers’ (the back woods futurist preacher), ‘Mugglestone Hi-Fi’ (blog and DJ service), and ‘Professor Mugglestone and The History of Science’ (experimental physics meets low tech electronics), so that now more than ever the Mugglestone brand can meet the changing demand s of preapocalyptic culture.
Facts
1: The education and information dissemination system in the world is broken
2: We lack the correct definition of mental health
3: The seemingly endless cycles of abuse against each other and the world can be improved through a deeper connection with machines
Questions
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Singing insects and ungrounded wires, Charles Mingus, and a deep insecurity that I may not be “doing the right thing”.
How and when did you get into making music?
My first record, ‘Big Daddy Mugglestone and his cheap paper toys’, I recorded on 4-track when I was 12, I then made all my friends pre-order it on cassette (5$) and gave it out at a halloween party in my basement.
What are your 5 favorite albums of all time?
Terry Riley and John Cale – Church of Anthrax
Beat happening – Beat Happening
Eric Dolphy – Live at the Five Spot
Can – Delay 1968
Anything by Patsy Cline
What do you associate with Berlin?
Bürgerpflicht
What’s your favorite place in your town?
Gemäldegalerie
If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Preach anti-corporealism through the unity with machines.
What was the last record you bought?
Welcome Ojukwo – Dr. T.O. jazz international
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Any household appliance manufactured before 1997
What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Einstein on the beach – Robert Wilson/Philip Glass
How important is technology to your creative process?
In the beginning not at all, but in execution it’s everywhere do you hear me?
Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
They stand aside with jealous pride, or so I would like to believe
Our Favourites:
The Highway When It’s Cold At Night
Good Thoughts // Good Words // Good Deeds
