POOR MOON INTERVIEW - 30.09.2013

Poor Moon are an American band signed to Bella Union and the legendary Sub Pop record label. Featuring members of Fleet Foxes, Pedro the Lion and Crystal Skulls. With debut ep 'Illusion', and a self titled full length as part of their releases, Poor Moon have no current tour plans. Lead vocalist Christian Wargo told me this week that, the focus now, is on Poor Moon's new record. Also, what would Christian say to Justin Bieber given a chance, I hear you ask? Is he a Beatles, or a Bowie man? Luckily, he helped shed some light...

• How did the band Poor Moon come about?

Basically, I have been making music with Casey Wescott for 15 years in various bands. The two of us have known Ian and Peter for almost as long. At some point a few years ago, I had a lot of songs written and knew that I wanted to make another album that wasn't Crystal Skulls or Fleet Foxes... I think the idea to make a new band with these friends started as a "wouldn't that be cool?" kind of conversation and then grew into a "well, why not?" kind of conversation. I usually send my demos to these three guys for feedback and pats on the back. So, it was a really easy transition to start playing together and bringing my demos to life.

• What's your favourite thing about the band?

I don't know... the band itself. The dudes in the group.

• When touring the UK, where did you enjoy the most? And what did you get up to in your spare time here?

We've had only a few shows over there so far. I think Manchester and London probably were our best shows. We hit up a few pubs, made terrible late night food choices, hit up a wine tasting, hung with the Bella Union bros, rented some bikes, we saw Grandaddy play. We stayed near the club where they performed, which is close to that huge Westfield plaza mall thing... We wandered through there a few times, wondering what we were doing.

• Are Poor Moon planning another trip to these shores anytime soon?

We are working on a new record. No tour plans.

• When on tour what do you miss from home the most?

My own bed, privacy, decent pizza. Clean clothes. Keeping up to date with all of my Gordon Ramsay shows.

• While on the road what items can you NOT live without?

GPS. Grandpas pine tar soap. A plastic bag for used socks... I can survive without most things... But I need to know where I'm going and I need to smell as good as possible in order to feel as good as possible. Just kidding, I only say that because people always tell me I smell good, which I find shocking at times. It's not something I aim for. I just use soap.

• You have a very distinct sound, what or who do you draw influences from?

It's always a tough question to answer with any sort of accuracy. I like so many things. Musical and non-musical. I like highly detailed and composed music but I also like very loose and spontaneous  music. I like melodic and rhythmic. You know my tastes run all over. Just depends on the day. I can listen to any style, as long as I feel the artist believes in what they’re doing. Something indescribable that gives me that connection to them, and brings me into their world.

• What music is playing in your van currently?

Again, it's all over the place, but I have been digging in to some cool stuff that came out of Istanbul in the 70s. Baris Manço, who I found on an NPR podcast... Which led me on a search for music from that time period in that area of the world. I found a bunch of stuff. This one song in particular from Kamuran Akkor- Ikimiz Bir Fidaniz.  I love the guitar sounds.

• What's your favourite British band or act?

The Smiths... duh?

• What band do you advise people to check out?

Pure Bathing Culture…Our buds from Portland.

• Beatles or Bowie?

Impossible question. Bowie- Hunky Dory, The Beatles- Abbey Road.

• Festival or your own show?

Own show.

• TV or a book?

I've read the first three or four chapters of so many books. It's tough for me to finish a book. I don't like fiction very much. I would rather watch Master Chef.

• If you could say one sentence to Justin Bieber what would it be?

Have you ever considered starting a band with Justin Vernon and Justin Timberlake and calling it "Justin Time?"

• If you could play a show with any act dead or alive who would it be?

The Kinks during the Village Green era.

THE ALBUM 'POOR MOON' IS AVAILABLE NOW

FIND POOR MOON AT:-

SUB POP RECORDS - http://www.subpop.com/artists/poor_moon

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/thepoormoon

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/POORMOONband


INTERVIEW BY GARETH HACK WITH  THANKS TO CHRISTIAN WARGO.