Unkle Munkle: The Psychedelic Funk Maestro

Unkle Munkle is the dynamic musical alias of producer and multi-instrumentalist Marcus "Munk" Thorne, originating from the vibrant city of Melbourne, Australia. His unique fusion of psychedelic rock, deep funk, and electronic grooves has carved out a dedicated international following, with his 2018 album 'Interstellar Jellyfish' achieving certified gold status in his home country.

Early career

Formed as a solo studio project in 2008, Unkle Munkle emerged from Thorne's desire to blend live instrumentation with intricate production. His early self-released EPs, 'Fuzzy Logic' (2009) and 'Cosmic Dust' (2011), circulated through online music forums, catching the ear of the independent label Fuzzy Disco Records. This led to his official debut album, 'The Munkle Manifesto', in 2013, which established his signature sound on the Australian underground circuit.

Breakthrough

Unkle Munkle's breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the infectious single 'Gravity Boots'. The track became an unexpected hit on alternative radio, propelling his third studio album, 'Lunar Funk', to number 12 on the Australian Albums Chart. The album's success was solidified by the follow-up single 'Neon Sunset', which reached platinum certification for sales exceeding 70,000 copies and spent 15 weeks in the national Top 40.

Key tracks

Gravity Boots — This platinum-selling single broke the artist into mainstream alternative radio and defined his funk-rock hybrid sound.

Neon Sunset — A chart mainstay that showcased his knack for crafting psychedelic, danceable hooks with layered production.

Interstellar Jellyfish — The title track from his gold-certified album is a sprawling, eight-minute epic featuring renowned session bassist Pino Palladino.

Electric Kool-Aid — A fan-favorite live staple known for its explosive guitar solos and extended jam sections during concerts.

Melbourne Midnight — This collaboration with soul singer Kylie Auldist highlighted the smoother, R&B-influenced side of his production style.

The momentum from 'Lunar Funk' led to major festival slots and a coveted support tour for The Cat Empire in 2017. His 2021 album 'Digital Oracle' saw him experiment with more synthesizer-driven textures, collaborating with producer Dan "Mystic" Brown. Unkle Munkle continues to tour extensively, with his live show praised for its high-energy performance and improvisational flair.

Fans of Unkle Munkle's genre-blending approach also enjoy The Cat Empire for their similar energetic fusion of funk, jazz, and global rhythms. The psychedelic rock elements in his music find common ground with Tame Impala and their studio-centric, melodic psychedelia. Meanwhile, the gritty funk backbone recalls the work of The Bamboos, another Melbourne-based act championing modern funk revival.

Unkle Munkle's catalog receives regular rotation across a network of alternative rock radio stations and specialized online rock radio streams focusing on funk and indie fusion. His hits are staples on stations dedicated to new Australian music and independent music radio stations worldwide, ensuring his psychedelic funk reaches a broad audience of listeners.

You can discover the eclectic sound of Unkle Munkle by tuning into the radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Our curated selection of stations, including classic rock FM and modern alternative outlets, frequently programs his music, offering the perfect way to experience this Australian artist's dynamic catalog.