After 2010’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Life on Earth‘, The Moons are returning with their new album ‘Tales of the Unexpected‘. Recorded between the studios of Paul Weller and Edwyn Collins, singer-songwriter Andy Crofts talks the Live4ever Ezine through how what started out as a vehicle for his songwriting went on to become an acclaimed and celebrated psychedelic beat band, and why he thinks they’ve just gone one better with their upcoming release.
Really glad to have you in talking to Live4ever Andy, love The Moons. Am I right in saying you’ve been busy putting The Moons’ second album together, recording with Edwyn Collins? How did it go?
It’s been going really well thanks. The new album was kind of recorded over two recording studios. We started the sessions last year in Paul Weller’s studio and did the other half in Edwyn Collins’ studio. I think it was Edwyn’s that we did the most in but both studios were great. We are all buzzing at the moment because the mixes are sounding great and everything is on the up. We have some great loyal fans now and really feel part of something.
Paul Weller was on the first album, playing piano on ‘Wondering’, anyone guesting on the new album?
Well, the guest thing isn’t really ever what I have planned. I prefer it to be natural and with Paul it was. On the first album he came down for a few beers with The Moons and wanted to play piano on ‘Wondering’. As soon as he started playing it made the track complete, so that was great. Paul is also on the new album and sings this time. The song is called ‘Something Soon’ and I think Weller fans will really dig the track; it has a cool 12-string guitar riff and solo and massive harmonies. It’s an honor to have Paul sing on a track that I wrote.
What was your starting point with the new album influence wise? What were you aiming with with ‘Tales of the Unexpected’?
There wasn’t really a starting point for the new album. Before the first one was finished I already new that I was ready for the second album. I have many songs that never got used or were just demos, so I always have a good head start. I also think its important to get your songs out there and not mess around with them for too long. Obviously get them sounding great, but I think it needs to be an instant thing so that it’s the sound of ‘now’.
James, The Moons’ guitarist, has contributed three songs to the new album that I think are great and I have been open to ideas from everyone on this album, so influences have been stronger. Music and production such as Joe Meek, The Zombies, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Music Machine and The Beatles always keeps us happy as a band and we are always listening to this stuff.
Did you feel any pressure with the second album after the first album had some great reviews and caught the attention? Do you feel like you’ve followed up on that with the new one?
No pressure at all! I’m pretty confident with my songwriting and I know we had a great bunch of songs before we even started recording them. Yes we had a few that we changed our minds with but in general we were all on the same page so it made things easy. I added the songs James wrote and it gave it a different spin and for the better.
The Moons was originally an outlet for my songwriting and I had to make sure that any songs that were offered to the album were as good or better than mine, but I’m happy now with the mix of songs. The next album will be the same I’m sure and James will contribute a few and I already have songs and ideas up my sleeve for the third. I really love the songs on the first album but I do wish that we weren’t in such a rush to finish it back then, and I think some of the recordings show that a little. It’s all innocent though and it gives the album a little charm I think.
Apart from the sound of The Moons I really like the hooks, choruses and especially your lyrics, like ‘Torn Between the Two’; the guitar solo in that is a belter, any of the same on the new album?
I think that ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ will offer more beautiful melodies and emotions to our fans. The songwriting is just as strong but the production is going to be more detailed this time and unique. The album is being produced by guitarist James Bagshaw with The Moons so it is going to have a personal sound that you will hear and a great example of how we think we should sound. The album has lots of great lyrics on it and some great arrangements – I can’t wait for it to come out now.
I just want to say to fans that we are sorry about the delay on the album. We have had a few hiccups here and there which slowed us down but we are up and running again now and you will love all of the new songs.
Recent Live4ever interviewees like The Broken Vinyl Club and The Last Party are bands that could be described in the same vein as The Moons; with a common passion for nice melodies, a feel for great and not so well known 60s beat bands, and definitely sharing a certain ‘new style’ Mod look and vibe Does it mean anything, could it be the start of a certain wave of bands like yourselves?
Yes it does mean something to me, although I dont write music to be part of any scene. I do it because i feel I have to and I have to deliver whether people like it or not. But I do think it’s great that there are bands out there in the same style, playing music that is pretty much against the tide. It would be great for it all to kick off and have loads of bands out there getting seen.
It’s a very fine line though with the 60s thing. I love all music from that decade and other decades but you have to be careful that you ain’t just trying to relive it. It’s 2011 so I think you have to remain contemporary whilst showing your influences. This is just what I think, but I don’t think The Moons are a retro band at all – I think we are modern and fresh. You may be able to hear influences in my songwriting but that’s cool with me. Whatever happens I will keep doing my thing with this underground music and if there are other bands out there doing the same then that’s great. Let’s all rise together!
The Moons from Media Centre on Vimeo.
What new bands and artists have you heard lately, anything that’s caught your ear?
I’m really loving Tame Impala, they are really doing it for me at the moment. I like The Shortwave Set and a band that have been doing a few shows with
us recently called The Sundowners. They will be supporting us in Liverpool and London on our winter tour this year. I love The Coral, The Bees but my mind has gone blank.
When you first put The Moons together did you ever visualise making a second album, record deals and taking it off all over the UK?
Well I’m not gonna lie, yes I did! I knew I didn’t want to sit around in my bedroom dreaming about it. Too many good musicians go to waste like that and I knew I had to get things together eventually. The Moons started with me and an acoustic guitar but that’s all I had at the time and I believed that a good song must start at the roots. So me and guitar it was. I have always dreamed of having a collection of albums to be proud of.
What have you got lined up, touring?
A month or two back we did the first part of our big Tales Of The Unexpected tour and it was great, but now we have part two of the tour and it is to be winter time, although we have a few dates before that. We are playing the UK again and hopefully Scotland and one in Ireland if possible.
We get fans asking why we are not playing near them or on their doorstep, but our agent has to book the tour on a route so we ain’t driving all over the place. On top of this all the dates have to match up, so this means some places get missed I’m afraid. It doesn’t meant we won’t come and play again though. Are our up and coming dates below. Keep an eye on our official website for new dates and tickets as they are added all the time.
(Carl Stanley)
Tour dates:
AUGUST
FRI 05 LONDON BAR SOLO (FREE ENTRY)
SAT 27 LEICESTER STRAWBERRY FIELDS FESTIVAL
SUN 28 LAKE WINDERMERE WOOD VIBRATIONS FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER
SAT 24 LONDON CHERRY COLA CRAWL
NOVEMBER
FRI 04 HARLOW THE SQUARE
SAT 05 TORQUAY THE ATTIC
WEDS 09 BIRMINGHAM HARE AND HOUNDS
FRI 11 DARLINGTON SEEN (FREE ENTRY)
SUN 13 NEWCASTLE CLUNY
WED 16 LIVERPOOL MOJO
THU 17 MANCHESTER RUBY LOUNGE
FRI 18 COVENTRY KASBAH
SAT 19 BRISTOL THE LANES
THU 24 BRIGHTON STICKY MIKES FROG BAR (FORMERLY JAM)
SAT 26 SOUTHAMPTON SOUL CELLAR
DECEMBER
FRI 02 LONDON BUSH HALL (CHRISTMAS SHOW)
SAT 10 NORTHAMPTON ROADMENDER (CHRISTMAS SHOW)
