Moonlight Social Revisited

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moonlight-Social/179450492094951


So, my most ardent and loyal readers, the name Moonlight Social isn't new to you. If it is, you obviously have missed out on their original post, my feature on them and the fact that they made my Top 10 List of Discoveries for this past year. And if you're new, well, you should probably familiarize yourself with them now while you have that opportunity so readily available to you.


Now, you're probably wondering to yourself, why have they made yet another resurgence on your blog, Vicci? Well, dear reader, I'll tell you. You see, my buddies known as Moonlight Social have been mighty busy since I last wrote about them. They raised over $16,500 through their kickstarter (the original goal being set at $15,00) and they recorded their debut album--out July 21-- with Matt Noveskey of Blue October. They've been playing shows. They've been keeping fans in the loop with track-by-track videos. They just released a cover of Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men, AND, as of today, they've released their first music video. On top of all that awesome sauce (am I allowed to say awesome sauce, or does that deduct credibility points?) they've been receiving pretty good reviews from people who matter a helluva lot more than I do. You know, people like Gene Foley of Foley Entertainment who said, "Moonlight Social is the real deal. The writing, musicianship and vocals are all outstanding. These songs are as strong as anything on the radio. This is clearly an artist worth your time and attention," so now you guys can see that I'm not just saying they're great because I know them. 


It probably would have been easier to list the things they haven't been up to, but hey, the more you know.


Now, on to this music video, shall we?


The song is "Heading South," which, if you pledged $5 to them, you received for download. Honestly, it's a catchy song, and the musicality of it is superb. (It kind of makes my heart warm and fuzzy inside knowing that I know such talented people.) And what I love most about this video is that it is quite literally the video personification of what I believe embodies the band. Note, I could be way off on this one, but that's okay cuz it's my opinion. We get to see a bit of the writing process, we get to see them travel, and most importantly, you get the complete and utter sense of Texas. (There's also a pretty boss fire, but I may be a slight pyromaniac). Maybe I'm a little bit cheesy, but there is nothing I love more than the fact that when you listen this band's music, you can hear Texas. It places you in the middle of a warm day when the sun is shining as you lay in a field surrounded by bluebonnets. Sure, it's a romanticized picture of Texas, but it's Texas nonetheless, and they depict that marvelously in the video. It kind of makes me want to go outside and yell "Texas Forever!" (Friday Night Lights reference, anyone?)


Now, don't get me wrong, that in no way means they aren't accessible to everyone else. I mean, good music is for everybody really, it's just a matter of getting everybody to realize it's okay to find it good. I still stand by what I've said in the past. Moonlight Social is gonna go places. So if I were you, I'd start falling in love with them now so you can say you've been there since the first video, you know, cuz sometimes it's just cool to say you've been there from the beginning.


Go Download: PICK UP THEIR DEBUT ALBUM 'HEADING SOUTH' JULY 21!!!!


Also, after rambling for long enough, here's that video :)

Interview with SPEAK

Hey guys!
Check out my interview for Rock Edition with Bands That Need Love Too alums, SPEAK!

http://www.rockedition.com/interviews/artist-interviews/interview-with-speak/

The Soldier Thread

http://www.thesoldierthread.com/

Hello my dear readers! I'm sorry for the hiatus, but after the much needed vacation, bowl trip and reading down time, I am back and ready to introduce you to my first band that needs love of 2012 :)

I won't lie, I've been behind on my band discoveries since my last couple of real posts. (What can I say, it's the holidays.) So I took to my Facebook for this one and asked my friends (whom I rely on greatly when I reach a bandblock) about who should have the honors of being my first BTNLT for this year. I got a few suggestions, all which will most likely appear here, but this is the one that caught my eye.

I'm pretty sure that I've stated before (awhile back) that I'm not a huge fan of female voices. But there is something about Patricia Lynn's voice that is so mesmorizing and completely different that I can't help BUT love it. Maybe it's because it's so strong, and yet still so sweet sounding. Maybe it's because she can sing live as well. Or maybe it's just because it is a completely unique voice that I have never heard before. I don't know. But I think she is FABULOUS. Of course, she isn't the only member of this amazing Austin-based band, and the boys that support Patricia are in no means overshadowed by her. In fact, I do believe that they are perfect and wonderfully cohesive together. While seperately they may be wonderful, when brought together with Patricia, Todd Abels, Justing McHugh, Drew Vandiver and Chance Gilmore create music that I would like to call eargasmic. (See what I did there?)

This indie pop-rock group is such a breath of fresh air and I'm pretty sure I may be in love with them (It's all so sudden!) (Lol, am I funny yet?). Now I guess I'll give you some facts, huh?

January 31. Mark it on your calendars. The Soldier Thread's EP drop that day and, if I may be so bold, you would be stupid to miss it. And if you're in the area (WHY AM I NOT IN AUSTIN!) they'll be doing a free show tomorrow, January 6, at Frank.

Good music. Good FREE music. I really see no reason for anyone in Austin to miss it. Especially if you are loving the new sound growing in the area right now, because The Soldier Thread might be giving Speak a run for their money as the forefront of the Austin movement.

(It should probably be noted though that that is just my opinion and I am in no way qualified enough to be taken seriously lol)

Mark my words you guys, you aren't gonna miss out on TST. I know I won't be.

Go Download: Pre-order their EP here. And then to hold you over until you get it, download "Anybody" and "Matador" for free here.



Check out their acoustic cover of Ke$ha's "Blind". This girl can sing, ok.

The Band Perry

Not unknown, I know, but really cool when you meet them because they rode the plane with your mom!!!!

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #4

Name: Moonlight Social
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/08/moonlight-social.html

Why: Well, first off, you obviously don't pay attention to much on my blog if you're shocked they made this list. I'm just saying. I love this band. I love their sound. I love what they're doing. Of course, I may be slightly biased because I know them. BUT, I can look past that to see that they are REALLY talented and definitely deserve to be on my list, especially since they are the one band I've seen more than my #1 discovery this year. HELL, I've seen them more than I've seen my favorite band EVER. (Note, I live in Austin, and they play in Austin, so it's a LOT easier to see them a bunch of times. BUT THAT ISN'T THE POINT!) So yeah, I'd be remiss to leave them off of my list.

What they've done since I posted about them: WELL, they are going to record with Matt Noveskey. And they just played their last show of the year before doing that. Uhm... I would post video from that if I had any buuuuut I don't.... So in the mean time, go support them by buying their EP from iTunes and donate to their debut album at their Kickstarter



Oh, and they got interviewed by me, which you can read over HERE.

Moonlighting the Social Scene

Clouds rolled across the sky, obscuring the moon and what little stars could be seen through the light pollution of Austin. Music floated through the cool night, drawing in spectators like a siren’s song to the western side of the Art Institute of Austin. Harmonies filled the air as guitar and drums accented them. It may not have been the normal scene for live music in the city, but the band that was playing is far from out of place. They have been hard at work and that work is paying off. All within the same year of its creation, the band’s achievements include a SXSW showcase, a win in a competition held by The Austin Chronicle and a chance to record with a member of Blue October. With this being their final show before heading into the studio in January, the musicians gave an intimate performance with their hearts on their sleeves. This is Moonlight Social.

Jeremy Burchard played tenor drums and Jennica Scott played trumpet in the Longhorn Band, but that isn’t what brought them together. Longhorn Band boasts about 400 members, making the leap between different sections is not an easy feat.

“I don’t think I would have met her without her reaching me,” Burchard said.

“I heard a cover that he did online and reached out to him to tell him I liked it. We met that way and then started hanging out,” Scott said. “The music came naturally because we were both such musical people.”

Both had been interested in music since they were children. Scott came from a musical family, with both of her parents being singers and her extended family on either side playing instruments or singing. “It’s a family thing, what can I say?”
Burchard grew up fascinated by music. “When I was little, I used to have a little black notepad with neon pens that I would write my songs in,” he laughed. He is also knowledgeable in many instruments, having started with the viola before moving on to trumpet, percussion and self-taught guitar.

After pushing to get Scott in front of a microphone, the duo recorded their first cover, Reckless Kelly’s “Wicked Twisted Road.” And then another, which led to yet another. These jam sessions led to them doing a couple performances together, which in turn led to their friends asking about their band.

“We were like, ‘Are we a band?’” Burchard recalled fondly.

Once they realized they were, in fact, a band, the duo needed a name. “The idea was the total, complete honesty of conversations that people have late at night,” he explained. They try to create music that rings with honesty, and the name Moonlight Social captures that sentiment, lending itself to a moment that we all experience, whether it be with friends or a lover.

They started writing songs to convey their ideals captured in their name. “There are some songs that one of us wrote and we’ll work together to make it ours,” Scott said about their writing process. “Most songs are a collaborative effort in some way.”

Things took off for the newly formed alt-country duo as they were selected to take part in a Grammy sponsored showcase at SXSW in March, self-released an EP in May and took on about 100 bands in the Sound Wars hosted by The Austin Chronicle to win a chance to play at the annual Hot Sauce Festival in August. They also started playing shows around Austin, becoming regulars of the club Momo’s. Creating a loyal fan base of friends, family and local music lovers, Moonlight Social was already further ahead than many bands get within their first year. Then, they got some great news.

A contact Burchard had made as a member of the group Grammy U had been passing their music around, and passed it along to Matt Noveskey, bassist of the band Blue October.

“He said it really ‘jived’,” Burchard said. “And he wasn’t pushy. It’s cool to have someone who has been on the other side as well, ya know?” They were offered the chance to go into the studio with Noveskey in January to record their debut album. The band jumped at the chance and took to the internet to employ the help of their fan base by creating a Kickstarter project. In order to get to the studio, the band would need to raise $15,000 in donations by Dec. 16. Less than five days later, the band had met its goal.

“That’s incredible,” they wrote on their Kickstarter page. Now, they are working harder than ever preparing to create their album.

“The songs on the EP were a good start but they aren’t how we imagined they’d end up,” Burchard said. “We have 20 or so songs to choose from.” One song that will be “retooled” for the album is “Neither Are You,” the song they would use to showcase their band. It also recently won Grammy U’s “Show Us Your Hits” competition.

“It really expresses our sound and melodies as well as our harmonies. It encompasses all of the things that we hold most important in our music,” Scott explained.

As their two hour set came to a close, the moon had cut through the clouds, shining down on the band that used it as a namesake. Scott and Burchard, along with their live performance members Gabe Durand-Hollis (Drums), Rannon Ching (Guitar/Mandolin) and Donald Williams (Bass), thanked the crowd for coming out and handed out free EPs. It may have been their last show of the year, but it is certainly far from this band’s last show.

For music and information about donating money toward Moonlight Social’s debut album, visit http://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #7

Name: Speak
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/10/speak.html

Why: I think if there is any band out there that embodies the "Austin sound" it's Speak. I listen to I Believe In Everything ALL the time. When I'm writing, when I'm doing dishes, in the shower, just laying on the floor and thinking about life. You know, all the time lol. I would love to see them live, and EVENTUALLY, I will. I also may love them so much because they're an Austin band, and I just really like anything related to Austin. (This city, is my city. AND I LOOOOOVE IT. I LOOOOOVE IT.)

What they've done since I've posted about them: They performed at Fun Fun Fun Fest, they're doing a show at Stubb's tomorrow (Dec. 4) where you can get in for a small donation ($1 minimum). AND, they plan on debuting a new song.

It's a collaboration with RAC, but since video won't be up until tomorrow, here's a remix by RAC of "Carrie"



AND, they did a cover of "Weekend Wars" by MGMT

Do you guys remember Moonlight Social?

They were one of my first posts, which you can see here. It really doesn't do them any justice and honestly, I should probably redo it now that I know what I'm doing.

But I digress.

You guys already know that I absolutely adore them and want nothing more than for them to make it big.

LUCKILY, we (yes, WE) have the opportunity to help them :)

They have the chance to work on their debut full-length album with Matt Noveskey of Blue October this January.

So where do you come in? Well,you see, they need help making some money for costs. $16,000 to be exact. So, if you could please, PLEASE, help em out, that would be marvelous. Not only can you get goodies depending on how much you donate, but you can get the opportunity to say you helped a great band get their start.

And even if you don't have much to spare (trust me, I understand not having any money) there is a dollar option. (Every little bit helps, yeah?)

Even if that is out of your budget, PLEASE spread the word.

Jennica and Jeremy are awesome people, with a TON of talent and they deserve recognition.

So head on over to their Facebook so you can see just how good they are.

Then, once you've fallen in love, head on over here to help em out

:)

The Abstract

http://www.facebook.com/TheAbstractBandTX

It seems I have stumbled across a movement. A movement of older sounding rock, and I am just fine with that. This five piece band currently based out of Austin, TX is heavily influenced by the British invasion of the '60s and their sound is raw. Raw in the very best way possible. Though, I feel like now should be the time to reiterate that the '60s inspired music isn't my usual. In fact, it is slightly far out from my usual.

HOWEVER some of my favorite music is the music that you can listen to and think "Damn, this band would be wonderful live." And The Abstract is that sort of band. I feel like you would hear them while walking down 6th street and get pulled into the bar that they're playing at because there is just something enchanting about the way they sound.

Of course, I could write about how great I think they are all day long, but I don't think I will ever be able to do this band justice just by talking about them. They're one you'll actually have to sit down and listen to yourself.

However, let me assure you that they are WELL worth your time.

(Also, I think it'd be fun for everyone to note that they too like The Orange. See how that happens, huh? I like to make connections when I can :D)

Go Download: "Black Beauty from their EP on iTunes

SPEAK

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hearSPEAKhere

One of my friends (The male half of Moonlight Social) suggested I give this Austin based band a listen. He actually went as far as to say that he thinks they'll be rather popular within a year. And I mean, at first I was like, that's kind of a tall order dontcha think? Lemme give them a listen first. So I hopped on over to their Facebook, and to say that I was a little shocked at the voice that came out of Troupe Gammage would be a gross understatement. I don't know what I was expecting per say, but that strong voice was not it. One blog described them as indie electro-pop and if we absolutely have to classify them, that is what I'd dub them as. Their beats are infectious in the same way that popular hits on the radio are today, but it sounds nothing like what we have been force fed by MTV. Margaret Moser of The Austin Chronicle mentioned that there is a new sound evolving here in Austin, and I believe that SPEAK is at the forefront of that movement. So do I think these boys will be famous within the year? I don't wanna jinx them or anything, but let's just say if I hear them in the near future on the radio, I wouldn't be shocked at all.

Go Download: My personal favorite is "Wars" . After you fall in love with that, buy their album on iTunes

Little Lo

http://www.littlelomusic.com/


A nice six piece that has a magical sound that is based here in Austin, TX, I actually came across Little Lo because the drummer was in one of my biology classes and he had invited me out to one of their shows. Now these kids know how to put on a show. The raw passion comes through in their music, and oozes from every fiber of their being while they are up there. They also play more instruments than I think I’ve ever seen any other band play in my life. So, in fewer words, Little Lo is gonna go places. So I’d start getting to know them now if I were you. I’m unsure of how to classify their music, as it has one of the most unique sounds on my iPod, but I can say that if you are a fan of The Head and The Heart, you’ll probably appreciate Little Lo.

Go Download: “Love Like You”, which is free with their Demo’s from http://littlelo.bandcamp.com/album/demos

Fast Luke and the Lead Heavy

http://www.reverbnation.com/fastlukeandtheleadheavy

I like music that makes me feel like I should be in a saloon. I'm not really sure why. But generally, I'm a fan. That being said, the Austin based band Fast Luke and the Lead Heavy do just that. With sounds that rock like J Roddy Walston and The Business, albeit more guitar driven rather than keyboard driven, Fast Luke and the Lead Heavy would not be out of place in bars and outdoor festivals across the nation. Listening to them, I'm transported to a saloon with a haze from all the cigarette smoke and couples slow dancing to the two step tempo of their song entitled "Coyote Moon". It's shocking to me to find that this band hasn't been in existance for long, less than five months to b exact, and they're already making music that sounds like this. Their facebook claims that there will be more to come, and for all my saloon dreams, I hope they're right.

Go Download: Currently you can't download anything by them, but I suggest checking out "Coyote Moon"

Moonlight Social

http://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Based out of Austin, members Jeremy Burchard and Jennica Scott met while being a part of The Longhorn Band at The University of Texas. The collaboration first started in the form of covers, but soon culminated into what we now know as Moonlight Social. With an impressive resume including a gig at SXSW, the release of an EP and, most recently, a win over 99 other bands to be a part 21st annual Hot Sauce Festival sponsored by The Austin Chronicle, one may have high expectations when listening to them. Never fear however, as they will meet your expectations, if not go past them. They're music has a truthful ring to it that is hard to find in many artists today and it is a breath of fresh air. The harmonies they make, along with the guitar melodies, come together to create something that fans of many genres can appreciate. They also have the ability to perform their music at the same level, if not better, than that that is actually out to be bought. Long story short, this band isn't going to be playing small shows in the Austin area for much longer, and if I were you, I'd see them now.

Go Download: "But I'm No Good At That" for free from their website. Then when you fall in love with them, I highly suggest getting their EP from iTunes.

Interview with Patrick Stump 8/28/11

Words to live by with Patrick Stump: Relax

There are many things that can be said about Patrick Stump. He’s a talented musician, a wonderful performer and one of the most genuine people one could ever hope to meet. In being an avid fan for years thanks to Fall Out Boy, I’ve kept my eye on Mr. Stump, very well aware of the aforementioned talents and hoping that in the midst of this hiatus we wouldn’t be starved of them. Luckily, he seems to have the same mindset as he is currently touring the US, promoting his upcoming solo album Soul Punk. His latest stop here in Austin brought a high energy, pulse pounding performance that got the small indoors venue of Stubb’s dancing and just having a good time. Afterwards, most milled out to the back to meet with the band and thank them for the performance they had just given.

As it grew late, or later rather, the crowd thinned out, and I was able to talk with Patrick Stump himself. Standing out by a water cooler, I feel like he almost looked out of place in his dapper attire. With a button up shirt, tie and suit jacket he looked more ready to see a theatre show than speak with a 19 year old. I couldn’t help but feel like he wasn’t the same Patrick Stump I had seen with Fall Out Boy, as he seems to have come into his own. When asked about the differences in being a solo artist and being a part of a group, he answered easily that while he is on his own, it still feels very much like he’s a part of a group. “I was actually kind of disappointed, I was getting off stage just now and the band was still playing, you know, like I get off stage and the band still plays for a couple seconds after I’m done or whatever, and there were all these people outside waiting for me and I was like ‘But the show!’ It should be about the show more importantly than meeting somebody or all that other stuff. The show is the thing, I mean, it should be exciting.” He states, rocking from side to side and using his hands to convey his point. “That’s kind of weird to me to be the center of attention that way, on the stage I’m totally comfortable with being the center of attention, that’s something I’ve been doing for such a long time. But like, being a solo artist casts you as a personality more in the focus, and that’s weird.”
It is hard to focus on much else when Patrick is on stage, as he commands attention, whether he is singing, playing his pocket trumpet or even taking a turn at the drums, which was actually what he had started on. “I was not really intending to be a singer. I thought I was going to be a drummer in a band, I really didn’t expect to be the center of attention. I just wanted to write songs, I really wanted an outlet for song writing. That was the thing for me, and that led to me being a solo artist.”

As a solo artist, he has taken his music to a completely different area than most had expected of him which caused some old Fall Out Boy fans to state their opinions, something that had actually caused him to take to twitter and call them out on it. “There are two things that I firmly believe,” he starts, “First off, there’s no reason to do a solo project if it’s going to sound like your band, that just means you should probably work out what problems you have with your band or whatever it is that causes you to do that. And secondly a band is a compromise, and not in a bad way. I don’t know why compromise in America, you say that word and people think it’s a negative thing.” Politics, I interjected. I blame politics. “No, it is! It really is! It’s a very political issue, this idea of compromising. ‘No we will not compromise!’ Uncompromising, you say that and it sounds like ‘Great, uncompromising’ and it’s like no, compromise is important and that’s how society works. And a band is a very small society and everything is a compromise. And so I find it fascinating when people assume. I remember having a conversation with Aaron from Underoath about The Yellow Jackets, who are a fusion jazz group, and there’s this expectation that Aaron plays in Underoath so he’s only ever listening to hardcore and metal and Christian music. And we were talking jazz. And I was in Fall Out Boy so everyone is like ‘So Blink 182…’ I didn’t listen to Blink 182 until we toured with Blink 182. There are a lot of those expectations and they’re so silly to me. That’s how I feel about the solo thing. It will be different because it’s me and there’s no compromise.” He stops for a moment and thinks before continuing, “Now that I think of it, I’m still kind of compromising because I want to stay out of Fall Out Boy’s way. Not that I steer it too far, but I do think to myself, especially lyrically, if there is anything I feel like Pete [Wentz] could say better, I just avoid it.” He smiles and plays with his tie, urging me to continue. By now most of the equipment has been cleared away and the crew is disappearing off to various places.

Wanting to lead the conversation from the past, I look on towards the release of his album, due out October 18th. “If there is one song off the album you could pick to introduce to someone who has never heard you, what would it be and why?” I ask. Patrick pauses for a moment, deep in thought. “Everybody Wants Somebody. It isn’t quite the big single so whatever, but I feel it’s the most me in the most ways. I mean everything’s very me,” he chuckles, “but I think that song is almost a mission statement. I think what it says lyrically, is a little bit of a message, but there’s also a lot of word play and things like that.” He stops abruptly to ask how long they have left at the venue, shedding light on how late it seems to be. Offering to leave him alone to let him eat the famous Stubb’s Barbeque, he waves me off claiming that it’s in the fridge anyway. “I just feel like it says what I want it to say.” Stump finishes seamlessly, almost like he hadn’t stopped at all.

Seeming as he really knows what he’s doing with the direction he’s heading, it only seems right to ask my last question in the vein of advice he might have for other’s looking into a profession such as his. “So I’ve been saying this a lot. It isn’t advice but it’s something that I thought of. So I’ve been trying to traverse the whole chasm of all the ideas I have. I have all these visual ideas and character ideas and these things that I want to do on stage. They’re almost theatrical or whatever but I don’t want to not be me. I don’t want to lie and be a character. I am just me at the end of the day and so it’s been kind of a learning curve because a lot of people resort to controversy and sexuality, you know whatever, you go somewhere with an angle for people to pay attention to your stuff and it’s very honestly a part of me to wear the cape and the weird stuff and play my mini trumpet. That’s very much part of me. It’s as much a part of me as me talking to you right now, so I wanted to make the conscious decision to be honest, and getting to the advice thing, it’s not really advice. It’s almost anti-advice. I read a quote by David Lee Roth where he said ‘Once you can fake sincerity, you’ve got it made.’ And that’s probably true, but it’s a lot more fun when you don’t have to fake it. I wouldn’t recommend getting into this business if you aren’t patient. If you don’t like people, entertaining is not a great job for you.” Patrick starts to get excited in what he’s saying as he starts trying to find the right way to word what he is trying to say, “It’s like punk rock. I grew up in punk rock and I’m expected as a punk rocker to be a shit head all the time, you know, to be rude to people and stuff and I’m like, that’s not what punk rock means to me. Fugazi wasn’t rude. The clash weren’t rude all the time, it wasn’t about that. They were statements they were making. That’s what attracted me, so it’s really about identity and just being yourself. But if you can fake sincerity, you’ve got it made. But don’t fake it.” He concludes with a smile. After such a long night, I’m actually surprised the man can still stand around with such a genuine smile, giving advice on being yourself. Whether you like the direction he is taking or not, you can’t deny that he is most certainly doing it as his own person and it is most certainly going to pay off. You’ll soon be hearing more of his name, that I can almost guarantee, and he will definitely be blowing up speakers for years to come now.