Freakout Standouts: Moon Darling

 *photo by Jake Hanson

In all of their experimental, riff-pop glory, Moon Darling recall simpler psychedelic sensibilities, combined with some pretty endearing and crafted synth pop. The foursome is comprised of Michael Julian Escobar on vox/guitar, Michelle Nuño on drums, Matthew Buckner on keys and Jack Jay on bass, and their joint forces create soundscapes that are both classic and innovative.

Though they only played one slot at Freakout Fest, an early evening set at the Conor Byrne, the band have been up to so much more recently. Shortly before the played the fest Moon Darling debuted a new track. "By the Light of the Moon" is coming off of their upcoming January EP of the same name, a followup to their addictive Dreams

On "By the Light of the Moon" there’s a point in which each member shines, be it Escobar’s incredible fingerwork or gripping approach to vocals, the stark and necessary breaks of Nuño’s drumming, or the enigmatic keyboarding of Buckner and Jack Jay’s deliberate bass playing. The title track provides perfect insight into the rest of the EP, and they’re having a release show for it on 1.25 at the Fred Wildlife Refuge with Kingdom of the Holy Sun and DJ Right Ternes, so mark your calendars.