Welcome to Moonrise Magazine, an online collective for showcasing inspirational and important work in music, culture, and the arts.
All in Artists to Watch
We are proud to exclusively premiere the new music video by post-pop duo, Ohtwo, for their song, “…And Then Run.” The music video, shot and directed in part by Los Angeles street photographer Matthew Grant Anson, features urban landscapes in greyscale, with orange and red colors highlighted throughout. Read on to hear about how they conceived of this nostalgic, somber mood for the song, and be sure to watch the new video!
The MarinaHov Band is unique in its creation of a powerful new sound accomplished by combining Armenian folk music and contemporary Western instrumentals with elements drawn from jazz, classical, and Middle Eastern sounds. After being pleasantly surprised by the band’s innovative take on Armenian folk music at their July 25th show at The Mint (shourj par at a rock club in L.A., anyone?), I was lucky enough to sit down with the lead singer and founding member of the group, Marina Hovhannisyan, to discuss their unique role in creating, evolving, and engaging with ancient melodies and sounds. Read on for Marina’s own perspective on her role in creating this especially crafty interpretation of centuries-old folk, prepared and performed for the present day!
Russo is your new favorite summer fling that actually sticks. The band released a debut EP earlier this summer, aptly titled House With A Pool, introducing Russo’s signature sound, which is very much influenced and informed by the music of the 80s and 90s, but is also fresh and apt for the times with lyrics and beats relatable to today’s culture. As indicated by their catalogue of songs, their artsy music videos, and energetic live performances, the band has a lot of fun, and invites the listener to do so as well.
Shaunt Avakian is a musical force to be reckoned with. Throughout the past year or so, Avakian has proven not only committed to growth as a singer, songwriter, and stellar guitarist, but also to his vision of bringing his creative passion and emotion to the ears of listeners. Earlier this year, he released his debut EP, Intensity, featuring six tracks which showcase Avakian’s versatility and ability to appeal to a variety of genres and styles while remaining true to his voice. Read on for our interview with the artist, and be sure to check out Intensity!
Both of these fairly new bands, Badflower, and Dallon Weekes's (Panic! At The Disco) and Ryan Seaman's (Falling in Reverse) I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, offer hopes for promising new material in addition to their already-growing catalogue of refreshingly unique, highly enjoyable songs. Keep these artists on your radar, and be sure to catch them live!
