Modern Science

Best friends Kane Churko and Mike McHugh are no strangers to the music business.  Having met nearly 5 years ago, the duo known as Modern Science have been on quite the ride enduring most of the problems that plague the industry early on.  Having built their foundations upon independence, creative control, and a longterm vision the band has managed to keep their heads up and their attitudes optimistic.

"Bad managers, shady investors, greedy band members, name changes, laughable record deal offers…we've been through it all," says Kane.  "I guarantee most bands would have given up by now, but it has only made us stronger and more committed to doing things our way.  At the end of the day I think we’d both rather fail at doing something we love than succeed at doing something we don’t,” the 23 year old proclaims defiantly.

Albeit a little over confident it is no wonder that the pair are proud of their approach.  In less than a year Modern Science have managed to release their full length debut album on their own label MIMORTL Records, showcase at 2009’s CMJ Music Marathon in New York, launch a clothing line, make their first signings to MIMORTL as well as begin planning for a recording studio on the Strip in Las Vegas where Modern Science and MIMORTL artists will record exclusively.  Even though singer Kane Churko has been busy writing and producing for other artists lately they’ve still managed to finish most of the writing and preproduction for their follow up second album already and claim to have written more than 200 additional songs in the past few years that they are still sorting through...that’s already more songs than most artists write in a lifetime.

But what about the live show?  Modern Science delivers an exciting live show that sometimes involves over 6 or 7 additional musicians.  One can’t help but think of early funk bands such as The Talking Heads or Parliament mixed with the upbeat songwriting charm of Hall & Oates.  In fact, Kane & Mike might just be the next George Clinton & Bootsy Collins.  Working with a large tight knit group of musicians brings a fresh energy to the duo’s studio material and makes for a lively atmosphere that has become signature for Modern Science performances.  Still the duo claims that “nobody has seen anything yet” and that in 2010 they will further be expanding upon their live show by featuring various special guests in their live sets.  Bassist Mike McHugh says, “We want every show to feel different and equally as unpredictable.  Sometimes we might have a rapper joining us, a local DJ or other artists that we are friends with.  Music should be shared and we love to collaborate.  We wouldn’t be representing Vegas right if we didn’t share the fun with our friends.”

Indeed 2010 is looking like a busy year for Modern Science.  They plan to release at least one new song from their upcoming second album every month of the year and following the tradition of their debut release all downloads will be free for a limited time.  “To charge people for music is to say that only people with money should be afforded the opportunity to engage with our music.  I can’t get behind that.  We want people to know that our MIMORTL motto of Music Is My Only Reason To Live is 100% authentic and feel that the best way to prove that is to give the music itself away for free,” Churko adds.  Just one of many bold statements to come from the pair but thankfully these guys live up to their words with unparalleled ambition that might just make them one of the most forward thinking bands to look out for over the next decade.