Though the band's fourth full-length offering The World I Want To Leave Behind features a
number of “firsts,” Moneen vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Kenny Bridges assures us that this
isn't a new band: “We weren't trying to reinvent ourselves as much as we were trying out some
things that we would have been scared of on previous records.”
One wouldn't think a band that's effortlessly able to weave such a wide array of influences into
their output would be “scared” to try anything. After all, Moneen has always thrived on their
trademark melee of melodic components – pop that has no business being so profound; rock that
shouldn't be so ambient; punk that has no right being so delicate. While that familiar formula is
what ultimately drives The World I Want To Leave Behind, Bridges, bassist Erik Hughes,
guitarist/vocalist Chris “Hippy” Hughes, and new drummer Steve Nunnaro have slightly shifted
their take on songwriting this time out.
“We enjoy writing music that makes us want to jump off the walls and roll around on the ground – while still maintaining a song's integrity, of course,” offers bassist Hughes of his band's general
take on music making. Indeed, this has been the template for the band's writing ever since forming
in 1999 and dropping the Smaller Chairs For The Early 1900s EP, a release that would introduce
the band's shimming guitar interplay and passionate, personal lyricism to the world. Subsequent
records, including 2003's Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? and 2006's The Red
Tree, have seen a continual refinement of the band's writing and wordplay, this effort being no
exception.
“We took a more simplistic route this time around to allow the songs to breath, and to really let
certain parts shine when they needed to,” adds Hippy. Bridges agrees, explaining that with The
World I Want To Leave Behind, the band wanted to start out simple when structuring a track – letting the components work for the song and not the song for the components.
Indeed, the album is the first with drummer Steve Nunnaro, who the remaining band members cite
as a significant contributor when it came to crafting these 12 songs. It's also found the band
experimenting with new instruments – and who's playing them. Still, this is Moneen – in the shape
that those who've sweated out the enthralling experience of their stage show know so well.
“We pushed ourselves harder than ever for this,” says Bridges with an air of pride. “We knew there
was no way we could fool around with these songs. They were too important to us.” This mentality
translates through the music with ease. Though there's still plenty of “jump-off-the-wall” jamming
to be found, it's clear Moneen have truly invested themselves into this offering, which makes it all
the more special to be invited into.
The foiling of new mentalities with old mannerisms is what makes The World I Want To Leave
Behind such a culmination of creativity for Moneen, though the journey isn't ending anytime soon.
Says Hippy in anticipation: “There is still a lot to come, and I feel like everything old will start to
feel new again.”
HA Ha you guys are sick.. we met yall at orlando on wednesday... u might not remember us lol we drove up from miami to see all of yall... but we were telling you guys to come to miami lol and to remember the name MANDINGO lol...
Shows at MULTIPLE places! we gotta book them up now. OPEN DATES
Mo's Bar and Grill (358south/west temple, SLC) Dec 5 - open Dec 7 - open Dec 15 - open
Bliss Nightlife (404 south west temple, SLC) 21+ Dec 3 - One reggae band/artist Dec10 - One reggae band/artist
Huka bar-murray (151 E 6100 S Salt Lake City) 21+ Dec 4 - One reggae band/artist Dec 5 - One reggae band/artist Dec11- One reggae band/artist Dec12 - One reggae band/artist
Downtown Hookah Lounge (268 South Main Street Salt Lake City) 21+ Dec 4 - One reggae band/artist Dec 5 - One reggae band/artist Dec11- One reggae band/artist Dec12 - One reggae band/artist
Club 900 dates(21 and up) Nov. 22 - open Nov. 25th - open Nov. 26th - 2 slots open Nov. 29th - open Dec. 2nd - open Dec. 9th - open Dec. 13th - open Dec. 16th - open
Hurry as it is first come/first serve. Christian and Epic booking
so happy i saw you guys in NYC at Irving Plaza. I <3 Kenny. thanks for chatting it up with me and my bf Kyle and your two super fans Mike and Tom. Stay cool and hope to see you back in NY soon.
I can't remember the name of the second to last song you played at the Atlanta show, but I really liked it. Frustrating b/c I can't buy it when I don't know the name. Either way, great show last night!
hey you guys...just wanted to say how much of an HONOR it was to have you crash at my house.you are all so nice and awesome come back to baltimore again! xoxoxxoxo! becca
We have a bunch of dates open at the new 900 Club (76south/900west, SLC). OPEN DATES Nov. 11th -1 slot open Nov.15-18th - 2 slots open Nov. 19th - 1 slot open Nov. 22-25th - 2 slots open Nov. 26th - 1 slot open Nov. 29-30 - 2 slots open Dec. 1-2nd - 2 slots open Dec 6th -1 slot open Dec. 7-9th - 2 slots open Dec. 17th -1 slot open
We promise hella promotion...but come show us what you got.Bring on another band too.
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