Arts & Leisure
Posted on August 20, 2015 04:13:00 PM
New band takes inspiration from the 1980s
Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
CLAD IN closed-neck shirts and crazy hair colors, the members of the American band Walk the Moon -- the men behind the hit single “Shut Up and Dance” -- are crazy and funky personified. They said everyone is weird and should learn to embrace it.
THE MEMBERS of Walk the Moon goof around before guesting on the TV show Good Morning America. -- PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM PAGE @WALKTHEMOONBAND
“We are unafraid to be kooky because we all have that weird quality. We’re all a goofball, a nerd, whatever you call it, everyone has that. It’s being courageous [enough] to show that side to everyone. It’s how we become. It’s the weird stuff that breaks the mold and inspires artists,” said the quartet from Cincinnati, Ohio.
At a press conference on Aug. 18, they demonstrated their own crazy brand of dance moves, from a “dad dance” where one should pucker his lips and groove to the beat, to the “subtle dance move” or a shy hip thrust to the left and right.
The members of Walk the Moon always incorporate quirky moves, whether in music videos or during live performances. In previous interviews, they said they’ve always wanted to make people dance.
The gentlemen didn’t disappoint. The fans -- majority of which are teenagers -- were over the moon when the three-year-old band painted the town red with their songs “Aquaman,” “Different Colors,” “Anna Sun,” and “Shut Up and Dance,” their latest single, which currently has garnered 84,112,928 views on YouTube as of press time.
The songs are part of the band’s third and latest album called Talking is Hard, except for “Anna Sun,” which was its first major hit single that catapulted the band into fame in 2012.
The men said Talking is Hard is the artistic by-product of a six-week writing marathon done in seclusion in an old building in Kentucky. They wrote 50 songs, sifted through them, and voila, the latest album was born. Talking is Hard has 12 tracks. The remaining 38 songs, the band said, might be included in an upcoming album. Or the next.
Talking is Hard perfectly articulates that it’s sometimes hard to communicate with words, said the band members. So they resort to music.
“It’s like learning a new language,” said lead guitarist Mr. Maiman.
The album also expresses the band’s opinion on individuality. “It’s an opportunity to say something important like in our song ‘Different Colors,’ which is [about] celebrating and tolerating differences,” said vocalist Mr. Petricca.
The band said it was a conscious effort to evolve for its third album. From romantic to rock and roll, the band has covered all genres, “except country,” said bassist Mr. Ray. “We haven’t tried it yet.”
ODE TO THE ’80SThe members of Walk the Moon -- which got its name from rock band The Police’s song “Walking the Moon” -- love the music of the 1980s and the fashion that came with it -- except the shoulder pads, they said.
“It was a special time because electronic and rock music came together in a popular way,” said Mr. Petricca, who was rocking a vintage closed-neck shirt paired with piles of beaded bracelets.
So their mission is to celebrate the music of the ’80s -- but add their own spunk to it.
“Everyone has something to bring to the table since we’ve started playing at a young age. We like experimenting genres from Phil Collins to Sting,” said Mr. Maiman.
JUST DO ITThe band said it’s also the best time to take advantage of technology, “because anyone can record songs even in the comfort of his home,” and connect with fans via social media.
Walk the Moon currently has 208,000 Instagram fans and 182,000 Twitter followers and counting.
Before enjoying worldwide recognition, they started performing at schools first. Their advice to startup bands? Just do it.
“We didn’t wait for our magical moment to come. We didn’t wait for anyone to discover us. It’s the best decision we’ve made,” said Mr. Petricca.
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