Hot on the heels of their third-album release, American psych-rockers Moon Duo are making their way to Australian shores.
The musical project, helmed by Wooden Shjips guitarist Ripley Johnson as well as Sanae Yamada, have been tearing up psych-rock riffs since their conception in 2009.
Their third LP, 'Shadow Of The Sun', continues a journey into droning psychedelia, and was released earlier this year to glowing reviews.
Moon Duo started as a side project, but has developed into something much bigger. What was the initial goal for the band?
[Ripley] The initial goal was to just make some good records and tour as much as possible. We really didn’t know where it would all lead.
You wrote your new album in a rare break from touring; do you feel this changed the way you approached writing and recording it?
Not really. I need to be isolated in order to write songs, so we never get much done on the road. We generally take some time off for each record, retreat to the country or take a road trip to write songs.
You've been touring consistently since the album's release; tour highlights?
Probably Scandinavia in the [European] summer. It’s always really beautiful there and the light is magical.
You're coming to Australia at the end of the year, is there more touring planned after that?
Australia is pretty much the end of our touring for the year. Before that we go to South America and Asia, so I think we’ll be ready for a nice, long break at home.
What prompted the addition of a drummer to your line-up recently?
We wanted to expand the live sound a bit, bring some more energy and spontaneity to things.
Has psychedelia always been a big part of your life?
I guess I’ve been interested in mind expansion, and experimenting with all of that, since high school.
What feelings are you trying inspire in people with your music?
As long as people feel something, then I guess we’ve succeeded on some level. The goal isn’t to dictate any particular feeling.
If you had to describe Moon Duo in five words, they would be…
Rock & roll hoochie koo.
'Shadow Of The Sun' is available now.
Written by Brendan MacLean
Moon Duo Tour Dates
Wed 9 Dec - The Zoo (Brisbane)Thu 10 Dec - Newtown Social Club (Sydney)
Fri 11 Dec - Friday Nights At NGV (Melbourne)
Sat 12 Dec - Meredith Music Festival (Meredith)
Sun 13 Dec - Going Steady Fest (Adelaide)
