Harper and the Moths
Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
It appears that Harper And The Moths like to release twin singles at the same time to adequately and accurately show the many facets of their style. This year it has meant releasing an insanely pop-geared song like Nighttime Tremors in tandem with a rocker like "What Are We Giving Up". In this case they released the over the top pop daydream of "Walking Through Fire" with the rollicking "Chemicals". Both songs are great, both sides of their songwriting and performance are fantastic as well and apparently, "Chemicals" is starting to get some airplay as well. The song, lyrically, is either about being attached to an addict whether it's drugs or sex, or it's the most clever play on the fact that really all we feel is serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. Either way it's pretty impacting, especially if its the latter. Still, I must admit that Harper and The Moths is probably my favorite local band right now and it seems that they are just on an upswing of putting out great songs again and again—in my book they are four for four this year. This song, as with "Walking Through Fire" was produced by Bob Hoag and I honestly believe this is a winning combination. I look forward to more from that combination. - Phoenix New Times
I would be hard-pressed to admit that Harper and The Moths were not my favorite local band right now. Their 18-month-old debut, Love Songs for the Damned, is still on daily rotation. Since February they have released a cavalcade of singles, including the brilliant "Nighttime Tremors," "What Are We Giving Up," and, just this week, "Walk Through Fire." Add to that an incendiary live show every single time and you've got something special — they aren't just musicians. They also are fantastic performers, which is something rare these days on the local scene. In their most recent recording foray, they entered the studio with Bob Hoag at the helm and a hell of a lot ’70s-era disco rock backing them up. There is a lot of fantastic pop action happening here, but just as much disco as there is, say, Some Girls-era Rolling Stones. There are so many elements on point here, whether it is the brilliant guitar, or that bass line you can actually hear throughout the mix, the female harmonies, and those goddamn drums. It's a brilliant single. Now I just want the entire album.
'I'm talkin' about love, whatchya know about love?" So good. - Phoenix New Times
It was only three weeks ago that Harper and The Moths released the intensely catchy indie pop single "Nighttime Tremors," and quick on the song's heels, the band has released another single to show the other side of its sound. Though "What Are We Giving Up" may not be as hook-heavy as its predecessor, it displays the rock side of the band's sound. It seems to recall the sound of mid-period Manic Street Preachers, and Harper Lines' vocals are a dead match for James Dean Bradfield's vocals here. There is a ferocity found here that was not apparent in the previous single, and it is very much welcome. Once more every member shines, especially Kelsee Ishmael's backing vocals and harmonies. Once more, though, kudos must be given to the furious rhythm section of David Campbell and Nick Ramirez, the stunning guitar work of Chan Schulman, and, of course, the fantastic production by Jeremy Parker. I could totally deal with a new single from this outfit once a month for perhaps the rest of my life. I truly hope a full-length album is in the works, because I'm not sure I will be satisfied with anything less from a group that is emerging as easily one of my favorites of 2015. Listen to the raw delivery and passion, with a perfect production sheen, you'll probably feel the same after a few spins. - Phoenix New Times
I’ve been following singer and front man Harper of the band of Harper and the Months (H&M) on social media and his work before there were Moths. He’s always been a person of interest from a stylistic and talent perspective. Harper is the type of man you get the inclination to keep your eye on. His curb appeal is simply fabulous (just look at him.) From an audience appeal perspective it doesn’t hurt to be swoon-worthy. The overall packaging, branding, and social media of H&M is on point. Harper’s music has been continually changing over the years, as if he were experimenting to find the sweet spot where his inherent knack for song writing and a sound that works converge. As a music junkie I love to see artists go through this process, and love it even more when they break through. While H&M aren’t new, the new single is a drastic stylistic diversion from the previous album. Nighttime Tremors seems to have arrived at this conjunction between disco and dapper as fuck. It appears Harper’s fly music has finally caught up to him. Well played sir. I’m looking forward to seeing what develops with this band. - Echo Cloud
The past Harper and the Moths record was based on a depressing time. Singer Harper Lines had moved to Seattle for love, and what resulted was a heartbreak record aptly titled Love Songs for the Damned -- released after Lines trekked back to his home state of Arizona and reunited with his bandmates. Though the album was ultra-catchy in a pop-rock vein, bitterness tinged the lyrics.
These days, the group is focusing on the bright side, having added keyboardist and vocalist Kelsee Ishmael for a more dynamic sound, and penning funk/R&B-influenced tracks based on self-identity and the give and take of relationships. A sense of fun is blatant in the group's video for "Nighttime Tremors," a colorful piece shot in a local roller rink.
The band has shifted from an album format to releasing singles one at a time, and plans to drop two new songs by summer amid tour plans. Attendees at their Yucca Tap Room show Friday, March 20 -- where the band is joined by Fairy Bones, Anthony Fama & The Redemptions, and Celebrations Guns -- can expect a flashy show, complete with a light rig set-up, stage attire and props. Guitarist Chan Redfield talked more about what the band is up to, and you can catch their new video after the jump. - Phoenix New Times
When I first saw Harper and The Moths I was confused because they took the stage at the Yucca Tap Room they came on like The Killers -- fresh-out-of-the-box brilliant. I was sure that drummer Nick Ramirez had been keeping this band a secret from me for at least a year. When I asked keyboardist Kelsee Ishmael how long this had been going she told me it was their sixth show. Mind-blowing. When I heard their debut EP Love Songs For The Damned, it was further blown. Turns out they are going to have a lot more for us in 2015. The first hint of this is the stunning new single "Nighttime Terrors" which showcases the entire band in fine form, but truly displays the amazing range of Harper Lines fantastic pipes. This guy can sing in no uncertain terms, whether he is channeling early Bee Gees records with a wild falsetto or when he brings it down to a seductive tone for the bridge. The song also has this amazing fantastic indie pop groove that is immediately arresting in a very catchy, hook-heavy way. It's also sexier than hell. I should mention that it's brilliantly produced by Jeremy Parker, and there is an accompanying video that was shot at a roller rink; just listen to this song and you'll hear why that makes sense. - Phoenix New Times
This is music for fans of The Killers, Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys–fantastic modern rock with endless pop hooks and radio ready right from the start. The vocals of Harper Lines are simply flawless, he’s authentic and he gives his all in a performance as well on record, meaning that his swagger is actually backed up by talent. Check out “This Is Street” to see what I’m saying or really any of the songs found here, this is music that is just ready for a major label fresh out of the box. If these guys try hard enough, they could probably nail it and get a pretty fantastic career going. - Sounds Around Town
You know that moths find a flame irresistible; and if you consider singer Harper Lines to be the burning light of Harper and the Moths, then it’s no wonder that the band, once a long-distance Seattle (Harper) and Arizona (the rest of the band) affair, has been drawn back together and now operates happily within the confines of Phoenix. - AXS
Harper and the Moths - Love Songs for the Damned - Java Magazine
Wow — see Harper and the Moths, and you’ll be left wishing every show that intimate felt that invigorating. I’ve seen them twice now, at Pub Rock Live and at Friday’s Yucca Tap Room show, and both times, I wished the sets had never ended. - Nicki A La Noche
For a band that celebrates the subtlety of the classic influences within its music — rhythm and blues, folk rock, alt-country — Harper and the Moths is raw and bold when it comes to their subject matter.
They relish the concept of channeling romance, heartbreak, and desire straight into their songs, mostly derived directly from vocalist Harper Lines' real-life stories — hence the name of the band's debut album, Love Songs for the Damned. Then again, a lot of the best work is made from heartbreak. - Phoenix New Times
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
March 11-13, Hance Park in Phoenix, mmmf.com
Three-day general admission package: $160 + fees
One-day pass: $70 + fees
Here’s a sampling of this year’s lineup:
Beck
A “Loser” no more, Beck (pictured) recently won three Grammys and, from the sound of it, a measure of peace with his latest album, Morning Phase. The sublime songs surf between sunshine and melancholy.
St. Lucia
Nothing short of a straitjacket could stop you from dancing to this South African-born, Brooklyn-based artist’s energetic synth-pop.
The Senators
Valley of the Sun sons Jesse and Adam Teer evoke wide-open Western spaces with their melodic, twangy hipster-hymns.
Animal Collective
If experimental, psychedelic pop turns you on, you’ll love the sonic mad-science of this group’s newest album, Centipede Hz. If not, you’ll think a more fitting name would be It Hz.
The Avett Brothers
Blending bluegrass roots, smooth banjo strums and lemonade-sweet piano strains, this North Carolina band’s Grammy-nominated folk-rock goes down like Southern Comfort.
Harper & the Moths
Featuring dapper duds, flashy lights and catchy pop, this Phoenix quintet’s live gigs are guaranteed to get fans dancing. - Phoenix Magazine
It should only take a brief blast of "Nighttime Tremors" for you to be a believer in Harper and the Moths. First you have guitarist Chan Schulman's metronomic Nile Rodger's rhythm guitar locking in with the Moth's rhythm section of Dave Cambell (bass) and Nick Ramirez (drums). Then, over all that disco loping, you have the gossamaer keyboards and harmonies of Kelsee Ishmael, floating above the disco like empyrean question marks. And finally, there's the full-throated falsetto of Harper Lines that makes everything seem like an all-night party machine. Whenever he is joined by Kelsee on the choruses, it's like Chic and C+C Music Factory just joined forces to tear the roof off a structurally sound building.
Their habit of only releasing singles and one EP has created an appetite for more that will be partially satisfied when they release an EP that collects all the singles plus a few others to make "Rock. Pop. Soul." Although it will be available everywhere digitally through iTunes and streaming on Spotify, those attending the CD release show at the Crescent Ballroom will be able to purchase a physical copy, a limited run only available to Valley of the Sun fans as a way of thanking them for buying the songs digitally and requesting the songs on KWSS-FM (93.9), which is joining with Beef Vegan's TMI Show to sponsor the event. - AZ Central
Over the last two years, Harper and the Moths has emerged as one of the most exciting indie rock bands in the Valley. Last year, they pushed out four singles, and they have now collected them on Rock.Pop.Soul., along with two new songs and three remixes to follow their 2014 debut Love Songs for the Damned. The band is comprised of Harper Lines (vocals), Kelsee Ishmael (keys, vocals), Chan Schulman (guitar, vocals), Dave Campbell (bass) and Nick Ramirez (drums).
It’s nice to have the disco revival of “Nighttime Tremors” and “Walking Through Fire” and the rocked-out bliss of “Chemicals” and “What Are We Giving Up” all in one place. If you’ve been collecting the singles right along, you will still need this EP for the two new songs, “Diamonds” and “In the Shadows,” as well as the impressive dance remixes.
Rock.Pop.Soul. is definitely an apt title for the collection, which shows the band’s finest moments from last year. New track “Diamonds” comes off as dance rock with a Bowie-esque interlude, while the sexy swagger of “In the Shadows” makes it an instant pop classic. The remixes show, if nothing else, that the band’s sound is malleable enough for nightclubs everywhere. - Java Magazine
Discography
Singles
- Walking Through Fire (2015)
- Chemicals (2015)
- What Are We Giving Up? (2015)
- Nighttime Tremors (2015)
- Nighttime Tremors (Remix) (2015)
Albums
Love Songs for the Damned (2013)
- I Need My Medicine (3:24)
- This is the Street (4:22)
- Rooftop Shimmy (4:55)
- We'll Keep Talkin' (3:32)
- Under the Moonlight (3:30)
- Whiskey and Records (2:54)
- Into the Ocean (4:05)
Photos
Bio
Harper and the Moths is a five-piece, Dance-Rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. A rock-pop-soul group akin to bands like The Killers and Neon Trees, the band produces energetic and complex rock and roll with a new wave twist that the whole family will eat up like sugar-flaked cereal.
The group’s live performances have been creating quite a buzz in the Phoenix music scene the past year and the band is thrilled to be recognized among such a talented group of performers.
Harper and the Moths consists of lead singer and frontman, Harper Lines, Guitarist and singer, Chan Schulman, Bassist, David Campbell, Keyboard player and singer, Kelsee Ishmael, and Drummer, Nick Ramirez.
Band Members
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