Coming off their headlining US spring tour, Miami’s Mustard Service has released their long awaited follow-up single “VCM” across streaming services today. Also known as “Vice City Magic,” the new track is a twisted, psychedelic arrangement of chamber pop and slacker rock perfect for the warm weather ahead. Featuring guest vocals from rapper ilikebloo, “VCM” continues to unravel itself in a kaleidoscope dream. The new single comes ahead of the band’s third full-length album, Variety Pack, set to arrive August 3, 2023 via ONErpm.
Mustard Service shares in a press release:
“VCM is possibly the most collaborative song on the album. We’ve had our friend, ilikebloo, write a whole verse for himself. We told him, word for word, ‘it’s not even written yet man, say whatever you want and we’ll write around whatever you spit.’ We can’t speak for Numan (ilikebloo) when it comes to the theme of the song, but our interpretation had to do with the lack of authenticity in the Miami music scene and the frustration of having to deal with the people in it.
We’re sure most cities are like this, a handful of sycophants who used to trash talk you are now suddenly interested in being your friend once you’ve amassed some modicum of success…but we tried to express our own lived experiences in the scene, hence the name ‘VCM’ (Vice City Magic) acronymed as such because we thought the full name was a bit cheesy.” – Mustard Service
Sons of Latino immigrants, the five-piece kick-started in 2015 and is held down by Marco Rivero (lead vocals, guitar), Gabriel “Nuchi” Marinuchi (guitar), Augusto “Tuto” Di Catarina (bass, vocals), Leo “Big Guy” Cattani (keys), and Adam Rhodes (drums). Self-identified as “zest pop,” the band’s eclectic mix of indie rock, surf, funk, jazz and bossa nova has made them the perfect representation of Miami alternative.