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Hearing the death knell for the end of something close to your heart is a shock-inducing realization that’s amplified by how long the end can take. In Known Moons’ new single “Beginning to End,” the band channels this chaos through a sharp but jagged indie-rock soundscape.
Originally consisting of Andrew James, Elliott Douglas of M.A.G.S and Josh Evert of Silver City Studios, Known Moons often lean into dream-pop elements through a cross stitch of indie musicians all over the country. After Douglas made the trip to Milwaukee from Los Angeles, the trio released their first EP, Everything Is, two years ago. Weeks later, they did the same thing to record this new single and the full EP of the same name.
Continuing to gig regularly, Known Moons expanded its lineup to include Ben Giddens on bass and Danny Walkowiak on drums as permanent fixtures of the project, with Douglas and Evert remaining to help write and record. The group also enlisted some special guests to track auxiliary instruments on the new EP.
Steve Lamos of noted math/indie rockers American Football contributed a trumpet solo to the EP’s lead single, “TIME,” with Calvin Langman of the Happy Fits adding some cello. Langman also pitched in sonically to the title track and the second single, “Under the Sword,” joined by Connor Erickson of Barely Civil providing guest vocals. Rounding out the star-studded list of features is Sean Hirthe on Saxophone for “Under the Sword” and Lora Kosanke on violin for “Beginning to End.”.
Known Moons not only bring an avalanche of musical talent to this new single and EP; they also represent Milwaukee as an important nexus for the national indie community. Their efforts are what brought a cohort of critically acclaimed musicians together on the title track we’re premiering today.
“Beginning to End” is a true 3-minute showcase of talent. A striking bass bounces off the drums. A set of guitar riffs undulate into a straightforwardly sharp finish. You get a strong influence from early 2010s indie, with an opening reminiscent of The Killers or Muse.
The song explores the loss of foundational parts of the self that, through an angular instrumentation, asks the listener if they’ll try to stop change or brace for impact. Through a contorted melody and rhythm section, it examines what’s required for true acceptance:
When you’re back on your heels
Feeling out of your depth in the deep end
Wishing you could just
Take it all back
Take it all back
Take it
Reach for something that feels
Like you’re pulling yourself out of a tailspin
But is it too late now to
Get it on track
Get it on track
Do you get it?
It’s a question the band leaves up to debate. Refusing to make the decision isn’t the easy way out, they instead offer the primordial rot that comes from introspection:
When everything is beginning to end
Will you dust yourself off again
Or bury your head in the sand?
Beginning to end
Everything is
Beginning to end
Change to Known Moons is both a blessing and a curse, as it was their desire to expand the project that brought an elite cohort of musicians to Milwaukee. However, the unknown is a parasitic void that has plagued anyone who thinks about it for too long. Known Moons might never know what the future holds for them — and maybe they don’t need to figure it out.
The Beginning to End full EP is set to release March 27, as is a 12-inch record that combines the new project with the band’s debut EP, Everything Is (aptly named Everything Is Beginning to End). For now, you can listen to the title track, “Beginning to End,” using the player at the top of the page and on 88Nine throughout today (7:30, 11:30 a.m.; 3:30, 7:30 p.m.).
Jonathan Joseph is a Milwaukee-based multimedia freelance journalist who specializes in art and culture writing (and all things Milwaukee), with work appearing on Radio Milwaukee and in Milwaukee Magazine. Contact him via email or find him on LinkedIn.