New York, NY (Top40 Charts) NY alternative rockers
Moonwalker (featuring 2/5's of former pop-punk/indie outfit Reckless Serenade) have signed with Standby Records, which plans to release the band's debut LP this summer.
Blasting off on a dance-rock hybrid fueled by old-school synths as well as movies like Gravity and Planet Earth re-runs, it might seem like
Moonwalker hail from a different universe altogether at first listen. That's precisely the charm of the New York outfit—Rob Crews [vocals], Mark Neidhardt [guitar], Bryan Witt [bass].
Vocalist Rob Crews says, "Over the year we've made a ton of musical changes, but the one I'm most proud of is our change in attitude. With every song on this new record, we are being very unapologetic with our choices sonically and lyrically. We aren't pulling any punches this time around. There are going to be songs that are joyous as hell, heartbreaking as hell, romantic as hell, angry as hell and sassy as hell. As a songwriter and performer, I have never felt more liberated and I can't wait to show everyone what we've been up to."
Guitarist Mark Neidhardt says, "When I write music I'm trying to portray a certain emotion in each song. In the past I was limited by the amount of sounds a guitar could make but by learning how to use software synths like Omnisphere I was opened up to an infinite amount of new sounds and ideas. Songs like "Serotonin," "
Tunnel Vision" and "Window Shopping" were basically us just scratching the surface as to what was possible when you combine a live band with software synths on the computer. On this new album we take it to an entirely new level and have created something I don't think anyone has ever heard before. I've never been more inspired and excited about making music and I'm so stoked to show everyone what we've created."
"We really love atmospheric sounds," explains Mark. "For this band, much of the writing took place while watching outer space movies and nature documentaries. That really gave the music a different dynamic. The name says it all. It takes this space fascination and ties it into the dance aspect."
www.facebook.com/pg/MoonwalkerBand
About Moonwalker:
Moonwalker first came to life in January 2017. Rob and Mark had just dissolved their previous band Reckless Serenade. In addition to playing Warped Tour 2016, the musicians spent three years cultivating a devout fan base with a series of independent releases, including the Out Here EP. The latter yielded the viral track "Pretty Monster," which amassed over 166K Spotify streams. Along the way, Reckless Serenade earned praise from Alternative Press, AXS, and many more.
As the group amicably parted ways, Rob and Mark linked up with Bryan, bonding over a shared vision.
"We were all on the same page," Mark continues. "We wanted to see how far we could take this. Everybody had the same mindset of taking things super seriously and not messing around."
Within a month of joining forces, the four bandmates found themselves in Toronto's Rattlebox Studios with producer Brian Moncarz [Circa Survive, Silverstein]. Moving at light speed, they cut their first three songs.
"We didn't want to lose any momentum by taking too long," adds Rob. "We totally bypassed the whole analysis-paralysis phase, dove right in, and started to figure out the strengths of the band while we were grinding it out."
Idobi debuted the cinematic anthem "The Way of the Future" with its lush instrumentation, intergalactic infectiousness, and expansive vocal delivery which, as Rob puts it, "Explores the complexities of being human."
Premiering via The Huffington Post in April, "
The Show" illuminates the bright and brilliant bombast at the heart of Moonwalker. Shimmering keys give away to robust guitars and an unshakable refrain, introducing their singular style in the process.
"The lyrics are about the importance of surrender sometimes," admits Rob. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been writing a story of how I thought my life was going to go and things should happen. It's changed a million times. If you let go, it's a little easier to take on life. It's a love note to just surrendering to how crazy everything can be."
Meanwhile, "Seeker" gallops along on an energetic groove awash in spacey textures, evincing the group's strengths.
Now,
Moonwalker are welcoming everyone to cut loose with them on this planet. "When people hear us, we want them to feel good," Rob leaves off. "Maybe they can leave their baggage behind for a minute, be in the now, and enjoy the music."
