Meet Known Moons, a brand-new alternative-indie rock band featuring current and former members of M.A.G.S., Paper Holland, Flat Teeth, The Fatty Acids and Dinner Set Gang.
Known Moons made its debut with a five-song EP titled Everything Is, which is out now!
Everything Is was written and recorded as a collaborative effort between frontman Andrew James, Elliott Douglas (of M.A.G.S.) and Josh Evert at Silver City Studios in Milwaukee, WI.
Douglas made the trek from Los Angeles to Milwaukee to spend a week hunkered down in the studio writing and recording.
“For a long time, I existed as just the guitarist and occasional co-writer in bands, but I never really had much desire to be at the helm of a project until I started accumulating the ideas that would eventually become Everything Is,” James says.
The band’s first single, “By the Billions,” was released on October 31 of 2023 and was paired with a music video shot and edited by Ryan Reeve and Evert. “By the Billions” introduced listeners to the catchy hooks, bouncy chord progressions and dreamy bridges that make up the core of Known Moons’ sound.
On the band’s second single, “A Coffin for a Cosmos,” lo-fi drum sampling, a driving bass line and extraterrestrial guitar licks set the pace for James to demonstrate his metaphorical lyrics and rapid-fire vocal delivery. “A Coffin for a Cosmos” is a commentary on consumerism and greed, and how a different present and future could exist, if you want it.
The third and final single off of the EP, “This Hell,” is at times the band’s most atmospheric track, yet is also the band’s most electric – a fuzzed-out guitar solo and a dynamic buildup lead into an explosive ending. The video for “This Hell,” which presents the monotony of day-to-day office life and one’s limited chances to escape was fittingly released on Groundhog Day (February 2, 2024). The video was shot and edited by Timothy Moder.
The name Known Moons stems from a desire to not rest on one’s laurels. It serves as an abstract mission statement for the band: Keep pushing forward past what is already known. The band’s journey is just beginning – come along for the ride into exciting new worlds.
FFO: Bloc Party, Interpol, The Strokes, Phoenix
Press:
“Between the trio’s next-level musicianship, James’ undeniable vocal and guitar chops, and the production flourishes that shimmer throughout (but especially on soaring standout single “By the Billions”), it’s hard to envision a more stunning debut EP from a project we only learned existed this past fall. If you’re anything like us, by the time the warm and vibe-y “How Do You Know?” dissipates to bring the debut to a close, you’ll be pulled into the orbit or Known Moons.”
‘By the Billions’ sets the bar high on what to expect from Known Moons – it’s a bouncy, indie-rock track that dabbles more on the clean-cut side of the genre as opposed to the dirtier garage rock that many Milwaukee indie bands lean into. Utilizing a blend of lo-fi sampling, choppy chord progressions and layered vocal harmonies, ‘By the Billions’ invokes the sort of melancholy that, despite its lyrics, inspires you to dance anyway. A little past the halfway mark of the song, the band shifts into a dreamy bridge, with James repeating the phrase, ‘Everything is fine’ before ultimately ending with ‘Everything is finite.’ It perfectly embodies the vibe of “By the Billions,” an objectively poppy track with underlying tones about dealing with depression and paranoia.”
“‘By The Billions’ is a warm, bouncy, and altogether enjoyable introduction to the young indie rock outfit. Complete with vibe-y and smooth guitar licks, toe-tapping rhythm, top-notch production, and soaring harmonies that further elevate an already catchy melody, James and company have announced the presence of Known Moons in a big way.”
– Milwaukee Record
“As a debut, ‘By the Billions’ sets a high bar for Known Moons, promising a bright future for the band in the indie music landscape. The song’s blend of catchy indie rock with the dreamy undertones of dream pop makes it a versatile track that appeals to a wide audience. With this single, Known Moons demonstrates their potential to become a significant force in the indie music world, capable of creating music that is both artistically satisfying and widely accessible.”