What We’ve Been Listening To: Night Moves

John from Night Moves is a fan of Vangelis, Back To The Future & Chuck Berry.

Here is what else he has been listening to, and can’t go without when in the studio.

Who is Night Moves and how did your namesake come about?

While in college in Milwaukee, my roommate got a Wurlitzer organ from our downstairs neighbors that they were throwing out and I started writing songs on it. It felt like I was finally making music that I wanted to hear – it was like Beach Boys meets Curtis Mayfield in my mind. The name “NIGHT MOVES” just sorta fit the vibe/sound-walking down a dirt road in outer space. We didn’t think we would always be living in Bob Seger’s shadow. The other name we had queued up was “Cream Sleeve” – which we probably should’ve chosen…more unique in a sense. We still are “Cream Sleeve” in a way.

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

Shady Cove – great sonics, great melodies, dreamy pop

When you go into the recording studio to work on new material, what are your must-haves?

Wine, reverb, Ursa Major Space Station, mallets, vibro champ amp, sm7b

Which song, or songs, of yours would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

Colored Emotions – sets the tonal landscape

Carl Sagan – ups the tempo/rock elements present in the group

Mexico – enhances the melodic/emotional arc

Which song, or songs, of yours would you recommend to a first-time lisWhich song of someone else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

Something by Vangelis – an epic soundtrack/Blade Runner type song – maybe “Love Theme” or “Memories of Green”- these compositions really move me and it would be a personal highlight to be connected to them somehow – even though they don’t need anything…I could maybe find a vocal to add?

What has led you into becoming a musician and why do you keep making music?

I think Back to the Future/Chuck Berry made me fall in love with guitar and skateboarding as a young kid. I keep making music because it gives me satisfaction and purpose and I feel I have something unique to put forth. When I feel I don’t have anything to give I don’t write.