*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.

Photo Source: Kingdom of the Holy Sun

Kingdom of the Holy Sun have an up and coming performance this weekend at the Rendezvous. They are on the bill alongside Levator and Prescription Pills.

Self-dubbed as "psychedelic garage and shoegaze," their music cultivates an environment that is both raw and expressive. Every track feels spiritially imbued; they have taken the rock in garage rock, slowed it down, and made their songs self-contained rituals.

Their latest release Pharmacokinetics came out last month. Its four songs exhibit the persistent themes of exploration and wonder - there is a sense of awe planted in the singer's voice. He immediately draws comparison to the late Jim Morrison of The Doors with his poetic, washed out vocal style. Kingdom of the Holy Sun move in a decidedly different direction musically though; their sonic experiments are less pop-focused and chorus-intensive.

The eponymous track "Pharmacokinetics" ushers itself along at a deliberate pace, unfurling amid a steady evolution of repetitive rhythms and bright melodies. Imagine the sun rising at dawn, amid a hazy film of fog blanketing the sky.

Kingdom of the Holy Sun will appear on stage this Saturday, August 4th at the Rendezvous. Doors are at 9:00pm and tickets cost $5. Give a listen to "Pharmacokinetics" below and carry onto their bandcamp to navigate the rest of the release - as well as their two other albums.

- Cameron LaFlam