Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin, and Josette Maskin of Indie-pop group MUNA stopped by to chat with KROQ's Nicole Alvarez backstage before their debut set this year at Coachella 2023.

Leading up to MUNA's very first Coachella performance on Friday, Katie feels confident, saying, "we've been doing this for a long time and I think there's natural nerves in our body that we can't control. But I would say that we feel really lucky that we just have been performing for a really long time, so we're just gonna go out and do our thing." Josette adds, "Right now it's just hot as all hell..." during the opening hours of Day 1 of the festival. "I wish everybody good luck!"

As not all of the members of the group identify as girls, Katie explains that it's best to simply address MUNA as a whole as either "you guys," or "y'all" -- maybe an awkward interaction for some, but a necessary and empathetic one in order to be truly inclusive. "I think this is actually amazing to have in an interview," Katie and Naomi both agree. "It doesn't reflect on anybody," Katie adds. "Everybody makes mistakes. We don't know, it's a completely innocent thing and what we need to do more of is just be like, 'hey, it's totally chill, this is the way we prefer it,' and then just move on."

As the members prepare to take in the festival's sights and sounds, whether watching others perform or studying the way they command the stage, it all comes down to the artist. "I think if the performer is really good," Naomi says, "you can turn your musician brain off and just enjoy it. You can have a studious eye, but also just enjoy someone being amazing at their craft... and then have fun. But if there are bops playing, we might let loose a little bit and forget that we're musicians."

Listen to the full interview with MUNA above.

Words by Joe Cingrana Interview by Nicole Alvarez

Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin, and Josette Maskin of Indie-pop group MUNA stopped by to chat with KROQ's Nicole Alvarez backstage before their debut set this year at Coachella 2023.
Leading up to <a href="https://www.audacy.com/topic/muna">MUNA</a>'s very first Coachella performance on Friday, Katie feels confident, saying, "we've been doing this for a long time and I think there's natural nerves in our body that we can't control. But I would say that we feel really lucky that we just have been performing for a really long time, so we're just gonna go out and do our thing." Josette adds, "Right now it's just hot as all hell..." during the opening hours of Day 1 of the festival. "I wish everybody good luck!"
As not all of the members of the group identify as girls, Katie explains that it's best to simply address MUNA as a whole as either "you guys," or "y'all" -- maybe an awkward interaction for some, but a necessary and empathetic one in order to be truly inclusive. "I think this is actually amazing to have in an interview," Katie and Naomi both agree. "It doesn't reflect on anybody," Katie adds. "Everybody makes mistakes. We don't know, it's a completely innocent thing and what we need to do more of is just be like, 'hey, it's totally chill, this is the way we prefer it,' and then just move on."
As the members prepare to take in the festival's sights and sounds, whether watching others perform or studying the way they command the stage, it all comes down to the artist. "I think if the performer is really good," Naomi says, "you can turn your musician brain off and just enjoy it. You can have a studious eye, but also just enjoy someone being amazing at their craft... and then have fun. But if there are bops playing, we might let loose a little bit and forget that we're musicians."
Listen to the full interview with MUNA above.
Words by Joe Cingrana Interview by Nicole Alvarez

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