10 Questions with ... Lo Moon

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

MEMBERS:

• Matt Lowell (lead vocals, guitar and keyboards)
• Crisanta Baker (guitar, bass, keyboards and backing vocals)
• Sam Stewart (multi-instrumentalist and principal guitarist)

1. All the band members are not originally from L.A. When and how did you all come together?

Matt: I moved to L.A. from New York around three-and-a-half years ago with some songs and the hopes of finding like-minded musicians to finish what I started. A friend introduced me to Crisanta, who had moved to L.A. a year before from Denver, because she was looking to join a band. We got along really well; she is an amazing musician, and she really loved the songs I played her. We decided right away to start playing live around L.A. under the name Stranger.

At that point, it just didn't feel right musically and I felt we needed to take some more time developing the sound. I spent about a year writing new material, and both Santa and I felt we needed another musician to help round out the sound. We met Sam Stewart through another friend, and he loved what we were up to. From that moment on, Sam, Crisanta and I spent months on end in my back shed/studio developing what would become Lo Moon. It was such an organic process for us. We were all on the same page musically and were just so happy to be in a band where we were all searching for the same feeling musically.

2. Which musicians/artists would you say have had the strongest influence on your sound?

There are a lot to name there! I think we all can agree on bands like The Blue Nile, Talk Talk, Prefab Sprout, etc. But we are also really into the classic songwriters like Dylan and Paul Simon and Bowie, of course, and then there's the obsession we have with composers and artists like Sakamoto, Vangelis, Johann Johannson, Tim Hecker, and I'll stop there because there are so many more that influence us!

3. You have been described as "mysterious" by several reviewers; do you feel that is an adapt description of your sound?

I don't know if I would say that we have a "mysterious sound" but maybe it's fair to say that we have lead with the music first and the people of the band second, so that makes it a bit mysterious. We hope the music is really inviting and inclusive, that's something that we were aiming for when we were making this record.

4. Your first full-length album is being produced by François Tétaz and Chris Walla. Tell us about that experience.

The experience has been amazing. Chris and Franc met through us and they became kindred spirits on a musical level. They are such an interesting duo. Walla was amazing to have in our corner -- being in a new band there's a lot that comes with that -- and Chris had been there with his band and knows the importance of the dynamic ins and outs of the studio. There were a lot of lessons learned by just spending weeks on end together. He has a knack of sound and space that is really beautiful, and something you can't get anywhere else but from him.

Franc has the nutty professor vibe and is searching for something musically and emotionally that demands a lot of work and a lot of commitment. They are true producers. We learned how to make a record as a band with them in the room and with their help and guidance. We are so lucky to have them on our team. It's beautiful.

5. You have been out there working hard all year, but it must have been special playing Lollapalooza, Governor's Ball and the Triple A Conference. Tell us about those events.

Thank you! We love being out there playing these songs. Each of those shows were so different! Gov Ball was amazing because that is my hometown festival and it was pretty incredible and nerve racking to be playing in my backyard at a festival I've attended as a fan four times. We had so much fun and it was a big moment for us.

Lolla was amazing, because we had a few festivals under our belt, we felt really comfortable, and just enjoyed it up there.

And the Triple A Conference was the polar opposite of both of those but in such a beautiful way. It was amazing to be able to get in front of those radio programmers, who are still figuring out the band and what we are about. It was awesome to play for a crowd that can really make a difference for the band in a different way than a regular crowd of fans. We just try and approach each show the exact same way and that helps us stick together as a band and have fun up there.

6. Who have you toured with so far?

We've toured with AIR, Glass Animals, London Grammar, The Lemon Twigs, Temples.

7. Is the songwriting a collaborative between all members or do you guys write individually?

I do most of the basic songwriting (chords/lyrics) before bringing it to the band, so it can be a verse and chorus or a full song or a seed of a song that we use as a springboard to get the rest of the song. It's a very collaborative process when we are coming up with the feel, and specific parts, or spirit of the song. Before you hear it through your speakers each member's voice and spirit live within each song. You don't get Lo Moon without that.

8. Any special meaning to the song "Loveless"? "This is it"?

Both of those songs are about the arc of a relationship. I hope "Loveless" really takes you through that journey both spiritually and musically, and "This Is It" is the feeling of being in a relationship in three very different emotional states.

9. The video for "Loveless" is awesome. Who directed it? Was it fun to make?

Thank you! Our friend Warren Fu directed it. He is amazing and the most creative person we know. We were so lucky to have him direct our first music video, and he really nailed the concept. We had a blast making it with him because we trust him and love his creative spirit so much. He is so inspiring.

10. Tell us about your further touring plans for 2017?

We have a bunch coming up very soon. We're going to be out on the road in both North America and Europe supporting some of our favorite bands and we'll be doing some headline shows as well! All the details will be announced very shortly.

What are your favorite philanthropic or humanitarian causes?

We are strong believers in Planned Parenthood and will continue to support them in any way possible. We would love to get involved with Children's Hospitals and are looking to do that coming up. Also, I would love to be able to spread my love for reading to the younger generation in any way possible.