The Moondoggies hail from Seattle, and the first thing you might think when you hear them is that their sound is a wash 'n' tumble of retro-rock styles. It's both easygoing and rocking—but the comfort of the Moondoggies' music conceals the fact that they are, in all the important ways, unique. Unlike other "retro" acts, they're not aping a particular performer (like the Black Crowes were doing the Faces, or Lenny Kravitz stole from Hendrix). Some songs are hymns, some are pop tunes, and some are out 'n' out rockers.
I talked with songwriter/guitarist Kevin Murphy about his band's sound, and some other stuff. Check out the interview below. The Moondoggies play Saturday night (Jan 17) at the White Eagle (836 N Russell). And take a listen to 'em right here.

LISTEN:

The Moondoggies - "Changing"

MERCURY: How does living in the Northwest contribute to the Moondoggies sound? I feel like there is a connection, but I'm not sure how to articulate it... You have the tall trees on the album cover, for instance. But the Moondoggies couldn't have come from Phoenix, or Brooklyn, I don't think.

MURPHY: I don't know if that's so true anymore. The fact that we have access to unlimited music from everywhere doesn't really allow for regional sounds in the states that are as clear. And there are more "rootsy" bands—as journalists have decided to refer to them—in all areas... including Brooklyn. Department of Eagles is a Brooklyn group. There might be preferences for sure; for instance, country music having a stronger influence in certain areas of the country.

To me you don't sound like a "jam" band in the typical sense—there isn't really any noodling, or jamming for the sake of jamming. Rather, I'd consider the Moondoggies a retro-rock kind of band. What is your impression of the jam band scene, and what has been your experience with it?

I'd consider us a rock band. It doesn't to me mean blues is not relevant to now, because it shows up in a song or two... but it doesn't have drum loops, so it might sound "retro." But there is NO jamming on the album or live. I don't know of any jam scenes nor am I interested in finding out what they look like. I don't know where this jam thing comes from... I hate Phish.

Did you ever want to be a more modern band, i.e. one that tried to develop a new, unique sound rather than relying on solid, familiar templates? Do you think by cultivating a well-known style, it is easier because the audience are already halfway there, and familiar with the groove—or is it in fact more difficult to make an impression and stand out? Do you think it is more satisfying to be in a band that escapes trends and fads—and more honest?

Well, this is strangely put. If you've listened to the album I don't know if it's anything but honest. Are drum loops modern honesty? There's nothing conscious about how we develop our sound. It's people I've always known sitting together and singing songs.

Now I'm sure with the influx of Fleet Foxes-type hype you think there's a comprehensive premeditated sound. But that's not well informed. And I'm sure part of your job is to listen to a shitload of CDs, so you have to make up some judgment right off of first impressions. However, when a song is honest on its own I believe it enters a realm of timelessness—and it's always relevant. Whether they're using jugs or computers. The music you think we're influenced by might be half right; however, there's a lot of bleed over, not to mention that "retro" music is not too long ago and things we still identify with.

This blog universe is destroying some people perception of what music is for (for some people). I think there's a commercial consciousness that brings bad connotation with the '60s or '70s or whenever you think we're from, and talking about what's cool now. But musical "trends" are absurd. People are starting to talk about where certain sounds are supposed to belong. That's like someone saying going to Canada is so last year. People are always gonna go there... Or it's like saying eating pizza was so '90s. People are always doing it and journalists are just deciding to make up these "waves." I feel as tied to Nirvana as I do to Old Crow Medicine Show or Bob Dylan. You're in certain moods sometimes. But good music is timeless, and I hope to land in that realm. Bands like us and the Dutchess and the Duke were, are, and will be. What do you consider new? I don't even like the terms of old, new, future. Things develop how they need to for whomever.

Now, it might be a simple sound, but we as musicians like the less-is-more for the time being, I have no patience for busting out tons of pedals, and I don't think it would do me any good or help us sound more "modern," and we'll continue however we need to. Like I said before the only place you might be right is the moments of obviousness on a couple songs, i.e. "Blackbird." But where do those songs lose their necessity or purpose? So I'm not saying that we will never do this or that... but we prefer not to clusterfuck a bunch of sounds or notes in because it's suppose to be more modern. I don't think the voice is a trend.

Can you talk about the transition from the garage rock of the Familiars (Murphy's earlier band) to the more country-classic rock sound of the Moondoggies?

There's not a single country song on the album. If anything I think we lean closer to garage than country. Please see the song "Changing" for further explanation [mp3 posted above]. I keep hearing this and I wonder if people listen to country. I'll stomach the term folk because it's broad and it's definitely there... but Loretta Lynn is country.

We're straight up rock 'n' roll... We'll write whatever songs we need to for ourselves. You ever listen to the White Album? There's all sorts of sounds... Put it together in a stew and you got rock 'n' roll.

How did the residency at the Blue Moon Tavern (a bar in Seattle's University District) sculpt your sound? Can you talk about the "bar" lifestyle and how music plays a role in that? (Does that make any sense?)

What the Blue Moon did for us was basically a place to play that wasn't full of music bloggers or pretentious hipsters wondering what we were doing. Very real people were there who could appreciate just enjoying music. Old timers and blue-collar folk. It did nothing for our sound. Our sound is the same as it was when we were playing in a garage in Everett.

What are you listening to these days? Any new discoveries or old favorites?

I just bought a Staple Singers CD...

How do you think Moondoggies #2 will sound different from Don't Be a Stranger?

Less retro. Heh.