US alt-rock band Moon Taxi is returning to the stage with their album Silver Dream
Text: Claudia Brizzi / claude______
US alt-rock band Moon Taxi is returning to the stage with their album Silver Dream, which represents the perfect marriage of music and the environment. Nature is a source of inspiration for many artists who have paid homage to it over the years, contributing to a growing love of the Earth.
Frontman Trevor Terndrup, a member of the Tennessee River Keeper organisation, talks about the relationship between music and environmental sustainability, with the aim of making concerts more and more eco-friendly.
Photography by Shervin Lainez
What is the message behind your new album 'Silver Dream', which will be released on 22 January 2021?
Silver Dream is a step into the unknown and a step out of the unknown. We are hopefully on the tail end of the craziest year of our lives. And at the same time, we are walking into a new era of music. Maybe there will be a silver lining to 2020. The Beginning talks specifically about that push/pull feeling. We wanted to put the song out as we begin to look towards 2021 and back on 2020. It feels like we are almost there.
What sounds will you find in it?
There are the distinctive Moon Taxi themes on Silver Dream; sing-along anthems, personal confessions, and instrumental rabbit holes. The sound of the album is wide. It is one of my favorite sounding albums we have ever put out.
Why did you decide to release the new album in this difficult period?
We originally planned to put the album out in the summer of 2020. That presented myriad complications and truly just didn’t feel right. But given the new year, new administration, vaccine, etc. we feel there is a positive shift.
How do you see the music scene in the future post Covid?
I think it will be a rocky road to any normalcy at live shows. I want to remain optimistic that we will be playing outdoor festivals by this summer, but I doubt that will be the case. We played a socially distanced show in Atlanta (Big Night Out) back in October and that felt as safe as possible. I hope we get the opportunity to participate in more events like that one.
Coming back to the new album, how did the creative process start? And how did you develop the tracks?
We started writing the songs to Silver Dream on a trip to Los Angeles. Most of the songs got their start out there and I think it impacted their overall feel. The tracks were then developed here at home in Nashville over the next few months. We really haven’t been able to play any of them live with the exception of Hometown Heroes. It will be great to finally road-test a few of them.
You stated on your Instagram profile that the new single "One Step Away" is more soulful and rock than "Hometown Heroes" and "Light Up": why did you take this decision? What is the story behind this song?
The lyric for One Step Away lended itself to a more rock/soul delivery in comparison to our other singles on the record. It is dark and moody. We were channeling Tarantino. It feels very current, the desperation of 2020 is a strong undercurrent in the song.
Tell us how the idea of forming a band came about and whose idea it was to call yourselves "Moon Taxi".
Moon Taxi started as a college project. We all went to school together and have been making music for quite some time now. The name came about because the lead singer mooned a taxi in the pre-Uber days to try and flag a ride.
Photography by Don VanCleave
How do you define your sound? Why did you choose this genre instead of another?
Our sound is eclectic. There are elements of rock, Americana, and pop. There is are a few unifying elements: catchy hooks, daring instrumental sections, and solid production.
Do you usually focus more on lyrics or music? Which one do you use more to express your thoughts?
When we started writing together, the music was the catalyst for our songs. Later on, we started focusing more on the lyric as the driving force and focal point. We hoped to split the difference and have engaging music beds with compelling lyrics on top.
Do you miss playing live? Do you plan to come back to Europe soon?
We absolutely miss playing live shows. The band started primarily as a live act. That is what we know, we know how to put on a good show.
You are a member of the Tennessee River Keeper, an organisation that collects waste from rivers, and lately you have been involved in sustainable gardening, how important is environmental sustainability to you and the band?
Environmental sustainability is a cause that I champion. I am proud to shed light on and participate in the great work that the Tennessee Riverkeeper does in the area we live in.
How do you think it will affect your work and the future?
When it is safe, I plan to participate in more of our river clean ups. And moving forward, I’d like to continue my efforts in making our tours as environmentally friendly as possible. There is a huge challenge for all artists on tour to cut back on single use plastics — but that is my goal to make our tour plastic free.
Do you plan to introduce this topic in your songs as well?
There are many mentions to the wonder of nature in our songs. Natural elements like water are reoccurring themes. And so I think that has drawn earth friendly listeners to the band over the years.
Photography by Shervin Lainez
Photography by Jake Matthews