Based out of our hometown, Atlanta, Georgia, Moontower was developed by the simple fact of good friends getting together to do what they love: play music! Moontower’s music does not fit into one genre; it is best described as a melodic mix of Rock, Acoustic, Jam, Folk, and Country. Influences range from The Allman Brothers and The Band to Dave Matthews Band and Phish to Led Zeppelin and The Grateful Dead to The Bee Gees and Michael Jackson. We recently caught up with the band before their show at Eddie’s Attic this Saturday. Here’s what they had to say:
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
“I wish I could remember all the country acts my family would take us to see at the George Mountain Fair up in Hiawassee. I know we saw some good ones but I was pretty young. I do remember seeing some damn good clogging. The first concert I can remember seeing was New Kids On The Block at The Omni. Im not afraid to admit that. Thanks Santa! Ha. Soon after that my parents let me go see The Beastie Boys, The Roots and John Spencer Blues Explosion at The Omni. I think that was 1994. So awesome and it was my biggest step in the right direction. I also saw Garth Brooks at The Omni back then. He’s an entertainer for sure.”
What is the best gig that you ever performed?
“It’s hard to pick the best. We seem to step it up a notch when we play venues like Eddie’s and Smith’s. Those rooms sound so good and are somewhat intimidating. I feel we feed of the pressure of that and everyone brings their “A” game. Last year we played our first real camping festival gig. It was up in Lafayette, GA at a festival called “Hootenanny!” We had the late night set after the main act, Grant Green Jr. Grant Green killed it and we were all a nervous wreck to follow that. We got over the nerves real quick. We had a blast and all played really well. We rocked until 3am and I feel the crowd really enjoyed it. The guys from Tree Sound Studios were running the sound. It sounded so good. It was awesome to play on a system like that.”
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
“Another hard one. Steve Winwood followed by The Dead at Bonnaroo was pretty awesome for many reasons. I remember Winwood playing “Back In The High life Again” in the pouring rain. So Good. Another one that sticks out is a Mountain Top Removal awareness/benefit show I saw at The Ryman in Nashville a few years ago. All the great Nashville musicians were playing, which included Buddy Miller, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris and Allison Krauss. Dave Matthews did a solo set as well. Pretty awesome show. Last year, I went to LA for 3 nights in a row and I saw Ben Sollee and Steve Forbert at The Hotel Cafe, My Morning Jacket at The Wiltern and Dave Matthews Band at The Hollywood Bowl. All awesome shows and venues.”
Gig you would most like to play?
“I love all the festivals that happen in Atlanta and the South so I guess as many of those as possible! To play venues like The Georgia Theatre, Variety Playhouse, Tabernacle, Fox Theatre and The Ryman would kick ass as well.”
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
“This changes daily. Back in high school, me and my friends would always discuss this. I remember 311 always being on there. Local band at the time, LOA was on it. 2 Skinnee J’s, The Urge, A Tribe Called Quest, Phish, Nate Dogg and Warren G. Maybe Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD and The East Coast Family. Today my picks would be a little different. Off the top of my head I’d pick The Beatles, Allman Brothers Band, The Beach Boys, Little Feat, Outkast, Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Chicago, Instrumental Beastie Boys, Billy Joel, Elton John, Bob Marley, George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, and of course a local stage, just as big as the main stage, with acts like Waller, Yacht Rock Revue, Villain Family and Lefty Williams Band. I love all of their latest releases. Benji Shanks, as the artist at large of course, and late night STS9 set to top if off. Oh, and a Superjam with Levon Helm, Paul McCartney, Otis Redding, Chuck Berry and Bruce Hornsby. Is that what you meant by that question?”
Make sure to check out Moontower this Saturday, March 9th, at Eddie’s Attic!
