Q&A: Moaning
Photo By Michael Schmelling
BIRTHED FROM THE LA DIY SCENE - Moaning brings a raw approach to the sound and lyrics that’s shaped the band. Consisting of trio vocalist/guitarist Sean Solomon, bassist/keyboardist Pascal Stevenson and drummer Andrew MacKelvie, Moaning brings in synthy loops with a more grunge undertone. Their latest album, Uneasy Laughter, showcases a more refined, though experimental, side of the group while sticking to their personable roots. Read below to hear more about their new album, the evolution of their sound and more.
LUNA: How have you seen the LA DIY scene evolve? How would you like it to change?
SOLOMON: I’ve seen dozens of DIY venues come and go in Los Angeles. Without these places I wouldn’t be a musician. In the last few years, the scene has gone even more underground. After Trump was elected, there were a bunch of alt-right fucks that were trying to shut DIY venues down by narcing on them to the police and fire department. They were using the tragedy of the Ghost Ship fires to get law enforcement riled up. I’ve noticed a lot of spaces now are completely off the grid and there’s fewer of them. It’s harder to find the shows but they are still out there. I’d like kids to know how important it is to support each other and to keep creating their own communities no matter what. We need art that is being made outside of the mainstream to generate new progressive ideas.
LUNA: How does your upcoming album, Uneasy Laughter, compare to your previous music?
SOLOMON: Our debut album was just a collection of the first songs we wrote. Our new album is much more thought out. We wanted it to be something you listen to all the way through. We experimented with more sounds and things that were only possible in the studio. We wanted to create the best versions of the songs we wrote.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned the album involving more synths and that soundscape, what are some other sonic elements you’d like to explore with your music?
SOLOMON: I’d love to incorporate strings one day. I’m so envious of bands that have played alongside orchestras. Maybe the next album will need something like that.
LUNA: I saw you admitted that Uneasy Laughter could have gone in quite another direction had you “not gotten sober and educated yourself on such core subjects as gender and mental health.” Why is important for us to learn about these social topics and talk about them?
I think it’s really important to hear other people’s perspectives. Men should read feminist theory. White people should educate themselves about racial injustices. Everyone should learn about mental health and addiction. It’s important to not get defensive, hear people out, and allow yourself to receive criticism. It’s how you learn and evolve into a better person. It’s amazing social issues like this are becoming more mainstream. I love that kids are talking more openly. I spent a lot of my life feeling ashamed about my own problems, before realizing so many people go through similar experiences. We need to communicate to be understood.
LUNA: What did you like about the creative process for this album?
SOLOMON: I love how collaborative it was. Some of the songs started on acoustic guitar and then became completely electronic. We really had fun with the arrangements and spent a lot of time experimenting.
LUNA: Can you talk about any plans for visuals to accompany the album?
SOLOMON: We’ve made a lot of videos already. Our friend Ambar Navarro directed an amazing video for our song “Ego”. Our friend Campbell Logan is working on a 3D animation right now that looks amazing!
LUNA: How have your other creative pursuits/interests playing a role in the band?
SOLOMON: I’m an animator and artist. I animated our music video “Fall In Love” and I create art for the band all the time. We all do. Our whole band made our first album cover together, our video for “The Same”, and recently a video for a new song called “Make It Stop”.
I also met so many other amazing artists by going to Calarts, putting on art shows, and working in animation. Both Ambar Navarro and Campbell Logan went to school with me. Our new album cover was done by my friend Aaron Jupin. Aaron and I had an art show together in Portland years ago. I’m extremely lucky to be part of both an amazing art community and music community here in LA.
LUNA: Do you think you’ve found a balance between creating for yourself versus creating for others?
SOLOMON: I hope so. I make art because I have to. The songs are like diary entries for me. Song writing can be very therapeutic but I want people to get something out of it too. I hope the lyrics help people feel less alone and the music is something they are excited by.
LUNA: What do you hope 2020 has in store for y’all?
SOLOMON: We’re going to tour the fuck out of this record and hopefully make some new friends along the way!
