There are times when I am asked why we don’t do more reviews for the really big bands and artists out there. Many of the reviews we do are for independent artists, and sometimes reviews for the first single an artist has released. We answer that everyone begins somewhere. We have covered early music by many artists who are heading up that slippery ladder of success and made friends along the way! It’s easy for established acts to get the reviews, but with all that noise out there, it can be hard for the new acts to break through. We also have a small team and only really do a few reviews.
So here we are with a new band called Moonshroom. I look at the logo and am transported to a world inhabited by Shaggy from Scooby Doo (nothing at all wrong with that—I have a Daphne cosplay costume lol) and Dylan from ‘Magic Roundabout’ (UK readers know what I mean)—but looks can be deceptive; I need to hear their music.
My press tells me:
Moonshroom is the star-crossed culmination of liberated artistic expression and high-energy performance. Genuine songwriting is at the core of this dynamic project. Fueled by the songcraft of Lily B. Moonflower & Jake Keegan, the act hones their unique sound with genuine lyrics, tight vocal harmonies, and intricate instrumental conversation.
The group, hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, performs captivating sets on stages far & wide. Featuring Lily B Moonflower on guitar & vocals, Jake Keegan on dobro & vocals, Zach Bozeman on upright bass, and Colby Allen Walter on mandolin & electric guitar & vocals. Together they create a unique sonic tapestry, building a bridge the audience can cross to feel a oneness with the musical energy radiating from the stage!
The debut album is out on June 27, and I know that Benny and Mark have made a decision that we will be reviewing it.
This new single, “Party on the Moon,” is an early release from that album.
My review: The video is a fun, feel-good piece, a lunar party with a cast of aliens all arrived for the show! The song is a party pop hillbilly track with some country pop/American in the pot. It bubbles along nicely and has a distinctive energy, which is absolutely what is required for a party track! The vocals take me to the hoedown, and I enjoyed it.
I will note that I had a listen as well to their 2024 single, “Find Freedom,” that was more down the line country, with lovely vocals and sentiment. That track slipped onto my playlist, which is hard to do as I am hard to please!
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Band Website is here
Stream music from the band here
By Anna-Louise Burgess