Last Halloween, Known Moons announced its existence with the release of “By The Billions” and an accompanying music video for the impressive debut single. Over the 100-something days that have followed, the self-described “alternative-indie rock band” featuring members of Paper Holland, The Fatty Acids, Dinner Set Gang, and Los Angeles-based M.A.G.S. in its ranks has treated listeners to two subsequent songs and another music video as the project announced a live outing and put the finishing touches on its first EP.
Today, that not-so-long-awaited EP from a young band that’s quickly built excitement around Milwaukee in recent months finally saw the light of day. Everything Is features a total of five songs, including two that weren’t previously posted in the lead-up to the release. Bandleader Andrew James—who had eschewed the spotlight in prior projects like Paper Holland and Flat Teeth—instantly earns attention with sleek, rapid-fire vocals and agile instrumentation in EP opener, “A Coffin For The Cosmos,” before channeling Bloc Party with the ambient and electronically-tinged “This Hell.”
James is joined on the EP by an admirable cast of collaborators consisting of L.A. multi-instrumentalist/M.A.G.S. mastermind Elliott Douglas and Silver City Studios co-owner/lauded local musician Josh Evert. Beyond the technical touches they apply to the music itself, each went above and beyond to help further refine James’ vision for the material. Evert engineered and mastered songs (which were written in-studio) at Silver City, and Douglas mixed the material.
Between the trio’s next-level musicianship, James’ undeniable vocal and guitar chops, and the production flourishes that shimmer throughout (but especially on soaring standout single “By The Billions”), it’s hard to envision a more stunning debut EP from a project we only learned existed this past fall. If you’re anything like us, by the time the warm and vibe-y “How Do You Know?” dissipates to bring the debut to a close, you’ll be pulled into the orbit or Known Moons.
You can listen to Everything Is below (or anywhere else you stream music). You’ll also be able to catch the first Known Moons show ever when the project opens up for Barely Civil’s album release show at Cactus Club on Sunday, March 31.