Moon

Chicago’s Moon began playing its melodic brand of post-rock in late 2010 at small venues in the city. Since then, the trio released two EPs and two albums and now is back with third LP Extinction. The eight-track album was released in June and features new bass player Chris Shen, previously a member of A Birdsong Valentine. Stream and/or download “There’s Light Here” below. - Magnet Magazine

Opening with a mix of amplifier effects and exploding into a heavy, throttling riff, “There’s Light Here” has a Sonic Youth-ness about it, albeit more structured and tuneful with some very Geddy Lee (!) sounding vocals (see?); “Revolutions” is much more sedate and tempered with clean and atmospheric guitars and melodic lines in lockstep between the bass and guitar while being driven by a tight tempo; “Siberian” follows in the same vein, with a textured, cascading guitar and a taut shuffle on the rhythm section – you can feel the tension building through the track. “Free” is a river of melody; soft and arranged in major chords, giving it an uplifting emotional feel and “Hidden Find” is, to this writer, the album’s high point – a very early ’80’s-inspired piece with delayed/echoe-y guitars, a treble-up bass and a warm, embracing and impassioned vocal delivery.

In another moment of “getting out of the comfort zone”, it’s heartening to know that a band of this caliber is out there – to make me sit up and take notice. This is one of those occasions to now work my way backwards and investigate Moon’s catalog further.

RECOMMENDED - Pop Dose

I have been speaking with Chicago’s Moon about their new album, Extinction, and what sort of themes inspired it; the guys each choose their favourite song from the record – I was keen to know how the band got together and how they feel their sound has developed.

David, Shen and Chris recommend some new artists and reveal their ambitions for the rest of the year; which artists have been important to them; if there are gigs booked in the diary; whether they are coming to the U.K. to play – they each select a song to end the interview with.

____________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Chris Schneberger: Good! We got together for the first time since our album release show on 9th June and we discussed some show ideas and where we want to take our sound going forward.

David Azizinamini: Good, busy.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

David: Singer and guitar player…

Shen (Chris Shen): I’m Shen, the bassist...

Chris: I’m Chris, the drummer. I hit stuff with sticks. As for the band, I describe our sound as heavy, melodic; propulsive guitar-driven Indie-Rock with touches of Shoegaze and Prog.

Extinction is your new album. What sort of themes inspired it?

David: Extinction of life...though that seems super-obvious; it's also metaphorical; the extinction of past memories, past times; this climate we are in, politically, in the U.S. is terrifying to me. But, even beyond that, our consumption, our self-serving desires…they all were themes to me in writing the lyrics.

Is there a track from the album you all gravitate towards?

Chris: There’s Light Here is the single and very energetic, a real rocker. But, I hope people discover the song, Siberian. It’s one of my favorite songs we’ve ever written.

David: I love Revolutions, musically, but I feel Siberian, lyrically, more. Again, the reckless abandon of war and destruction were in my mind when I wrote it.

Shen: I like them all (obviously) but, if I had to choose one, I’d say Siberian is the most Moon-esque song since it contains a lot of our qualities: long, spacious; multiple parts, shifts between heavy and mellow.

This is your third record. How do you feel you have developed since your formation?

Shen: We’re writing at a higher level more consistently; less material that feels like B-sides - that comes the longer you play together as a unit. We’ve also worked a bit more straight-Rock into our sound (songs like There’s Light Here and Wishlist).

David: I felt like I knew what I wanted more...I became comfortable with the fact that we are a different kind of band so I just embraced who WE are instead of hoping to sound like what I thought people wanted. “Do you” as we say! (Smiles).

Chris: Definitely, more concise songwriting. That, and incorporating the influence of Donna Summer…

When did that formation happen? When did Moon get together?

Chris: Around December 2008, I was advertising for local musicians to play with and got together with David and a bass player I had previously tried out with, Pat LaRose. Pat was a very melodic player and went along great with David’s echo-drenched, chiming style. Within the year, we were playing some small shows and recorded a three-song E.P.

Pat was with us for a few years and we recorded our first full-length album and another E.P. with him. Then, he left for New York and we found Shen. He’s an incredibly talented player and we’ve recorded two more studio albums with him.

Do you all share musical tastes? What sort of sounds do you listen to?

Chris: I think our tastes overlap but aren’t all the same. For instance, Shen and I share a love for some Metal and Prog like Rush and Iron Maiden but I’m really a child of '90s Indie-Rock. Some of my favorite bands are from that era - like Superchunk, Poster Children; Archers of Loaf, Number One Cup and Built to Spill.

David: Chris and Shen are more like-minded than me. They love the Classic Rock stuff but I have limited information about that kind of music. I grew up listening to ABBA and top-40 Pop radio like Michael Jackson. When I was nine or so, I got into Punk and listened to the Dead Kennedys religiously. From there, it was really anything with melody and washy guitars: Bleach and In Utero by Nirvana…and then it was Radiohead, Elliott Smith; Jeff Buckley, Circa Survive; Slowdive: anthemic, epic bands with great singers and lovely melodies.

Shen: I came upon Heavy Metal like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and early-Metallica but I also like some bands that could be considered as the start of Emo and Alternative like Jane’s Addiction, Sunny Day Real Estate and Quicksand.

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

David: Tackling the Midwest United States right now.

Chris: Also; we’d love to support a touring band.

Do you reckon you’ll come to the U.K. and perform this year?

Chris: Haven’t you seen us there? We exclusively play random phone boxes in the town of Barnsley. I’m sorry you haven’t been witness to one of these. They’ve been packed houses! In all seriousness, we would love to come to the U.K. We await the invite from Hammersmith Odeon soon.

David: I'd love to...all of my favorite bands are from there it seems. Maybe, a bill with Radiohead and Wolf Alice!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

David: Promoting Extinction and writing more; introducing new elements into the music as well. I love being in a three-piece but I love when three-pieces introduce layers...probably why I love The Joy Formidable.

Chris: We’re hoping to play more shows and to more people. The new album is getting heard and the response has been great. We just want to play to crowds of like-minded music listeners. Plus, the end of this year will mark our tenth anniversary - and we’d like to celebrate that with a big show.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

David: Singing Mountain Song by Janes Addiction when I was in 9th grade in my friend's basement for a birthday party. It was my first time playing with other musicians. They wouldn't let me be in the band though...said I didn't move around enough. Fu*k those guys! (Laughs).

Chris: I think my favorite memory was playing a show at the Empty Bottle, my favorite club in Chicago, where I’ve seen countless great bands and looking up at David during my favorite instrumental passage in our song, Losing the Light. We shared a smile and I was just so happy to be making this music that I loved with people that I love.

Shen: One of my favorite memories is a recent one: the day I got my copy of Extinction. I really like the way it turned out. I just think it sounds how we’re supposed to sound. It’s hard to capture a band in the studio but I think we accomplished that on this. As far as all of the recordings I’ve been a part of, this one is definitely one of my favorites.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

David: I'd support Radiohead and I'd only request to sing Scatterbrain with Thom.

Chris: I would support Superchunk (since Rush is retired) and insist we do a pre-show shot of Malort. It’s an awful, bitter digestif drink found in Chicago. You shoot it, chase it with an Old Style (cheap beer) and yell “LET’S GO HAWKS!” (Chicago Blackhawks (hockey team), that is.)

Shen: I’d love to have Hawaiian Sun Passion Fruit juice at every show. I grew up in Hawaii drinking it and it’s my absolute favorite - and it’s hard to find on the mainland so, if someone could supply it for me that would be awesome.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Chris: Get started early, go full-bore and have fun. Keep your standards high and your expectations low.

David: Do it 100%. Do not give a s*it about cars or houses that your friends buy or hope to buy; eat and breathe music, write every day...tour till you can't move...then do it again.

Shen: You have to try to find that balance between having fun but also being serious and smart. If you’re all business, you’ll miss out on some joys of playing music but, if you’re having too much fun and not thinking enough about the business end you may miss some opportunities.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

David: Protomartyr!

Chris: There are so many great bands right here in Chicago. My current favorite is RLYR but I also recommend Rocket Miner, Huntsmen and Polarizer.

Shen: We Killed the Lion from Chicago is one of my current favorites. I also really like A Friend Called Fire - also from Chicago.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

David: I work at the greatest music shop in the world (Chicago Music Exchange), so I suppose that's how I chill: around music.

Chris: Honestly, music is my way to unwind. I teach at three-four different colleges and that keeps me really busy. The band is an escape. Otherwise, maybe travel and movies.

Shen: I don’t have much free time between work and music but, when I do, I try to get outdoors and go hiking, fishing; swimming and surfing.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Chris: Slipstream Summer by RLYR

David: Wheel of Fortune by Protomartyr (ft. Kelley Deal)

Shen: Galaxy Girl by We Killed the Lion - Music Musings and Such

Now that Rush seem to have retired from the scene, there is room for another prog power trio leading the way. One of the more serious contenders is Chicago outfit Moon. Their new single There's Light Here touches all bases, a hardhitter with post-rock Mogwai-esque leanings and razor-sharp falsetto vocals. These guys are pretty intense, thundering through chord changes without dropping a note.

The single will be included on their new album Extinction, their third full-length, scheduled for release on June 8.

Moon:
David Azizinamini: guitar, vocals
Chris Schneberger: drums
Chris Shen: bass - Here Comes The Flood

Extinction is the third studio album by Chicago based band Moon consisting of David Azizinamini on guitar, Chris Schneberger on drums and Chis Shen on bass and released June 8, 2018. I was impressed with this album from start to finish with echo-laden guitar, post-rock bass, propulsive drumming and haunting, ethereal vocals on such tracks as Revolution, Siberian, Wish List, Free, Hidden End and so much more. This album was well written, recorded, produced and performed. This band and their great indie rock sound is something I wish to hear more of and get the chance to hear their earlier work. I noticed that this album is available on vinyl and would love to hear how it sounds on my turntable. This great album is available on Bandcamp and other outlets where CD’s, Vinyl and digital downloads are sold. - Oasis Entertainment

From Chicago comes the latest full-length release titled "Extinction" from progressive rockers Moon. Their new 8-song album was released back in June and begins with the Rush-like vibe of "There's Light Here." They slow down for the melodic tones of "Revolutions," then expand upon their musical talents for the seven-minute atmospheric piece "Siberian." Moon continue their new album with the addictive, mainstream alternative-rock appeal of "Wish List," before drifting along to the flow of "Free." They wrap up their new album with the quiet, moody vibe of the nearly seven-minute build-up conclusion of "The Silence And The Noise." To find out more about Moon and their new album "Extinction," please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MoonChicago. - JP's Music Blog

Background - Moon: Heavy, melodic, spacious; echo-laden guitars; post-rock bass; shifting time signatures; haunting ethereal vocals. Moon formed in 2010 when drummer Chris Schneberger met guitarist and vocalist David Azizinamini through Craigslist and invited a bassist he'd tried out with before. The sound they made was instantly cavernous and chiming. After writing a few songs, the sound of the band grew heavier and more propulsive.

The group played some initial shows in small clubs in late 2010, and early 2011. After an early EP, Started In The Dark, Moon recorded their debut album in 2012. Finding and Losing the Light featured six songs including the titular two song suite.

Bigger shows followed, opening for Sleepy Sun and Hounds Below at Chicago’s Double Door, opening for Driftless Pony Club at Subterranean Chicago, Blood Red Shoes at Subterranean and Kinski at Subterranean. In addition, Moon headlined their own show with local bands Nature Show and Royale. In 2012 Moon recorded their follow-up EP, Always Summer.

Their original bassist decided to follow his dreams and left for Brooklyn at the end of 2012. After an exhausting search, Moon found new bass player Chris Shen, formerly of A Birdsong Valentine. Moon released their third album, Extinction, on June 8, 2018. BANDCAMP.

If your in the mood for some extremely fine rock music that's not stuck in any one particular genre, then the album 'Extinction' from Chicago band Moon merits further inspection. Whether it's alt rock, prog rock, or modern indie rock, Moon comfortably excel. Plenty of energy is matched by some notable melodic hooks and the vocals impressively soar above the tight and gutsy rock and roll. This is one of those unpretentious albums, where the band enthusiastically present us with some timeless, well crafted rock music to be reckoned with. - Beehive Candy

Chicago-based band Moon is a three piece outfit that's difficult to put in a box. I know, you want to know "what they are." Are they rock? Are they prog? Is it alternative? Our obsession with genres and sub-genres is how we identify what we listen to these days, but I really feel that Moon has a box all their own. For those who can't stand for something that abstract, let's simplify things and call it something close to indie rock.

Extinction is launched by a song called "There's Light Here," which also serves as the first single from the album. This is a song that reminded me of the glory days of indie rock. The steady grind of guitar noise and a rhythm section that comes straight at you were signature elements of the indie culture, and this song nails that feel perfectly. Think Smashing Pumpkins' Gish-era with a retro psychedelic slant, and a vocal tone reminiscent of Budgie singer Burke Shelley or a young Geddy Lee. It’s a great amalgamation of these elements and more, making what was once old new again. As the set moves into a track called "Revolutions," the atmospheric mood of Extinction really starts to emerge. There's a softer, moody pulse that's thoroughly alluring, and something that ultimately leads to a raucous power surge to carry the song to the finish line. One great quality that singer and guitarist David Azizinamini possesses throughout this set of songs is the ability to be in the high voice but still remain subtle and soft when the song calls for a lighter moment. This great vocal control gives these songs some nice movement, and it never turns into a whining shriek fest. "Forked Lake" is another song that has an alluring guitar tone and mood that just sits comfortably in the ear. With drummer Chris Schneberger's sharp snare popping and Chris Shen's bass line lightly pushing the song forward, I can't help but think of this sound as a sort of musical marijuana. As my ears inhale songs like "Forked Lake," "Revolutions," and "Free," I can almost smell how happy they are. Much of this material falls into that cerebral realm, which is why it's such a comfortable listen. This is not to say that a loud and angst-ridden edge is missing. Songs like "There's Light Here" and "Wish List" can get in your face, and "Hidden Find," "Siberian," and "The Silence And The Noise" balance, well, the silence with the noise for the all around Moon experience.

Extinction is one of those albums that transports you. It transports me back to a time when indie rock was pure and raw, and it stood loud and proud in its honesty and authenticity. It also transports me to a floating, trippy place inside my head; a place I plan to visit more often with every listen.


For more info about Moon and to purchase music and merch, visit: https://moonchicago.bandcamp.com/music - Dr. Music

My life path is one that is chock full of twists and turns. Fresh out of high school I began a career in the printing industry, and 15 years after that I found myself giving up that career to be a full-time dad.

And now, almost a couple more decades down the road, I find myself trying to settle into another career path realizing that music has always had a strange way of weaving itself into almost every facet of my journey.

So, when I decided to enroll in the Photography program at College of DuPage and pursue my dream of becoming a working photographer, it was no surprise to find that my instructor was also an excellent local musician.

Christopher Schneberger is not only a brilliant instructor that has just earned COD’s Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, but he is also the drummer for a three-piece indie band known as Moon.

Moon has been together for about 10 years and the group has a number of album releases, but the band is extremely excited about their latest album, Extinction. As the band continues to grow, so does the fan base and the overall availability of their music.

This is the first time a Moon release is to be offered on vinyl, which means we get to see Chris’s photography work in a larger format. His skill as both a photographer and a drummer is on full display with Extinction, making it a must-have for all of the people walking with me along the path that balances music and life with such delicate brilliance.

To purchase Extinction and to find out more about Moon, visit https://moonchicago.bandcamp.com. - Positively Naperville

Chicago's Moon has dropped its third album, Extinction.
Moon's third full-length studio album, was released in June 2018. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Noam Wallenberg at Rax Trax Studios.

There's Light Here is the first single off the album.Heavy, melodic, spacious, echo-laden guitars, post-rock bass, shifting time signatures, haunting ethereal vocals. Moon formed in 2009 when drummer Chris Schneberger met vocalist/guitarist David Azizinamini through Craigslist and invited in a bassist he'd tried out with before. The sound they made was instantly spacious and chiming. Within writing a few songs, the sound of the band grew heavier and more propulsive.

The group played some initial shows in small clubs in late 2010 and early 2011.

After an early EP, Started In The Dark, Moon recorded their debut album in 2012. Finding and Losing the Light featured six songs including the titular two-song suite.

Bigger shows followed, opening for Sleepy Sun and Hounds Below at Double Door Chicago, supporting Driftless Pony Club at Subterranean Chicago, Blood Red Shoes at Subterranean and Kinski at Subterranean. In addition, Moon headlined their own show with local bands Nature Show and Royale.

In 2012 Moon recorded their follow-up EP, Always Summer.The original bassist decided to follow his dreams and left for Brooklyn at the end of 2012. After an exhausting search, Moon found new bass player Chris Shen, formerly of A Birdsong Valentine. - Revolution Three Sixty

Moon: Extinction (N/A, 2018) I got to this Chicago power trio via a publicist in the Midwest. It’s retro grunge-y but with a bit more pep and a tad less flannel. The singer works in a higher vocal register and could be mistaken for a woman as he does a Patti Smith/Geddy Lee thing. The second tune, Revolutions, takes the tempo down and showcases the singer more than the rock band playing vibe. I’ve listened to portions of three tunes and I like the first tune best. I prefer my rock uptempo and less epic rather than more. That said, the production here is excellent and all the players play really well. - Deep In The Music

The Chicago-based progressive, atmospheric prog-rock band Moon has reference points that include Superchunk, Radiohead, Rush, and even the now Bloomington-based punkers Poster Children.

GLT caught up with drummer Chris Schneberger via Skype and discovered the ardent Rush fan was interviewed for the Netlix documentary “Beyond The Lighted Stage” at his first Rush fan convention.  Two short clips ended up in the movie.

“I went kind of thinking, ‘Oh this will be a laugh. I like this band … I’m going to see them in their hometown of Toronto … that will be a lot of fun.’ And I didn’t wear a Rush shirt, which I found out was illegal at a Rush convention,” laughed Schneberger.

Mr. "Indie-Rock Cool Guy" realized quickly that instead of going to chuckle at all the Rush geeks, he too was a Rush geek to the core, and ended up having a lot of fun.

“It was kind of like going to a group therapy,” he chuckled again. “I was among my kind that shared the same affliction, and we could share that with each other."

A short listen to Moon’s music quickly reveals their influences. Though vocalist David Azizinamini sings in a high register similar to Geddy Lee of Rush, his sparse lyrics tend to float over and stretch with Moon's music compared to Lee reciting Neal Peart's epic novels. Asked to define what Rush critics are missing, Schneberger declined, instead focusing on the three qualities he admires in the Canadians' music.

"They’re heavy, they’re melodic, and they’re propulsive,” said Schneberger. “They’re incredibly good players at their instruments as well. I like Geddy Lee’s voice. But that’s a definite divider for people. There are people who just can’t stand that high vocal. They’re on this perfect dividing line between rock and prog-rock.”

That sound permeates Moon’s new album “Extinction.” The heavy gurgling groove on "Revolutions" underscores the steady, higher pitched vocals of  Azizinamini.

Schneberger said the album name and accompanying stark album cover image of a barren, just harvested crop field recovering from a late fall rain shower foreshadows the bleakness to come.

“Both in terms of the human and political outlook in America,” said Schneberger. "David and I share thoughts about the problems that seem almost insurmountable at this point. But I think there’s also a lot of hope on the record too. The songs kind of alternate between considering bleak outcomes to inspiring the listener to not give up.”

The album artwork is Schneberger’s. By day he’s a professor of photography at both Columbia College in Chicago and the suburban College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. (Sidenote: The Schneberger curated 2018 State of the Art Photography Invitational at Parkland College in Champaign runs through Feb. 5). He has focused on rural Illinois farmscapes for the past few years, with rural Paxton along Interstate 57 just north of Champaign-Urbana of particular interest.

“I have been photographing these extremely flat landscapes in the winter when you can see for miles and miles, even if you’re just standing height off the ground,” said Schneberger. “I like sullen winter skies, so that album cover has a bit of a post-apocalyptic kind of feel to it.  The song ‘Siberian’ from the album is the one that most embraces that idea.”

Azizinamini’s vocals are often buried deeply enough into the mix that discerning them is difficult, even for Schneberger. “And David doesn’t generally make it a habit to write them down for us,” Schneberger laughed.

“I can’t speak for David, but when I hear that lyric, I think of school shootings and other things that seem to be a bleak future for the youngest generation and the possible loss of that innocence,” said Schneberger of the vocals buried in a swirling rock that segues into a crunchy guitar that evokes an almost orchestral warlike anthem.

“There’s Light Here” is probably the most optimistic and melodic of the eight tracks that comprise “Extinction.”

“It’s discovering some kind of luminosity in one’s life, and finding there is hope, there is a light and something to be celebrated,” said Schneberger of the song, before returning to the three qualities he appreciates in the music he loves: heavy, propulsive, and melodic.

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to be like thrash-metal,” said Schneberger. “But I like to have a little crunch in the guitar and some serious volume to things. But if it doesn’t have a melody, it kind of leaves me cold. We’re not writing any bubblegum pop tunes, but if you don’t enjoy listening to it, what’s the point?”

Moon plays Nightshop in downtown Bloomington on Friday, Nov. 16. - WGLT Radio