A beautiful piano riff opens this one up, but rather than leading directly into the expected zone of songwriter ballad, the distorted guitars kick in, the drums hit, and the riffs all round work effectively together to build this lovely sounding pop rock kind of track. The vocal is unexpected, though it works really nicely within the song, the melody is pretty fresh and fits alongside those riffs. The harmonies are a really nice touch – a hint of that Beach Boys vibe, just every now and then. Every little element you come across within this track actually has a real sense of value to it, the instrumentation wasn’t just thrown together, and simultaneously the performances throughout are flawless.
When the song came to an end the Goin Down melody and the piano lasted the longest in my mind. I struggled to recall any of the verses or any other particular lines, perhaps a bridge section with an additional lyric or melody would have helped, or a slightly longer verse section, but as a hit it really works – you remember it, there’s the hook, the whole point of having a hook is that the listeners take it with them when they leave.
Production wise everything sounds great, there’s a nice bit of nostalgia echoing through the arrangement and the mix, but also it’s undoutedly a brand new song (to me at least) – it takes nothing from anywhere else, unique in it’s own right – a great job done on the song writing front. I imagine they’d be a fun band to watch live, I feel like a guitar solo or an extra touch of creative play would have been nice, but maybe that rings out in some of their other songs. I like the direction the band have gone with the music, it’s quite refreshing to hear a classic sounding pop rock track fusing great melodies with just that little bit of an edge to keep it sounding sharp.
By Rebecca Cullen
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Janet, Mike and Bobby are California natives and Georgia is from New Jersey. We have all been involved in music forever…….can’t imagine note making music.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
When we first were playing together we came up with lists of names….it was difficult landing on a name everyone could agree on. Then at one rehearsal, Bobby just starting riffing on names…..like a machine……and MoonBaby was one that poured out of him. He said we were like moonbabies…..a bunch of hippies (which is true) and it stuck.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Like it or not it’s here to stay so you have to use it to your advantage. We do give our music away for free as a necessary evil….to get it out there and create more opportunities to play live.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse…….always expect the best of yourself and your band. You are only as good as your weakest link……….and be professional……show up on time…..do what’s expected….don’t be a diva…….that seems to open more doors.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
We are inspired by experiences we are having or have had. Ideas we have been pondering……sometimes we make up stories…..Like in Soccer Mom and Toxic Kitty…..they are about ficticious women….but women we have observed in our life. Obviously, love and relationships are a theme and sometimes UFO’s……..
Usually we write on our own and then bring the song to the band to either arrange or help finish if we are stuck. That method seems to work best. We are a very collaborative group so even if one person writes the song the band has a great deal of input into the final product.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
We have a website: moonbabyps.com
We also use reverbnation: www.reverbnation/moonbaby4
We also use facebook and twitter to promote our music.:
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Well…..with 4 people that would be 125,000 a piece………..probably write more music and tour.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
We promote online…….social media gives us the most bang for our buck.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
We are a semi-finalist in the Tachevah Festival which is a local festival that coincides with Coachellafest. We are also working with another artist on an Amy Winehouse tribute which will be opening locally on April 9th.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Losing our minds!!!!!!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
It helps to have supportive families …….not watch tv and maximize your free time…..if there is any.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Hopefully our next album….we have almost all the songs written…..but who knows….that’s what is cool about his journey…..you never know what is around the corner.
