After introducing himself with his vibrant initial offerings 'Can You See The Future?', 'Hopes And Dreams', and 'Slumber Sail' earlier this year, American singer-songwriter Brandon Harwood continues his Island Moons project with the sweeping new single 'Jupiter On A Key Ring'.
Capturing more of that rich and immersive indie-folk aesthetic he is quickly earning a reputation for, 'Jupiter On A Key Ring' makes for a wonderfully warm and shimmering listen. With his sweet and tender voice layered across a progressive production from start to finish, he is certainly one to keep an eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I ever touched was the piano. In the house where I grew up, my great-grandmother’s piano was in the basement. (She was a pianist in the silent movie era). Also I remember learning the basic parts on piano of “Let it Be” around 12 years old at a friend’s party. However, as they say when you fall in love, you’ll know when you know. For me I knew it the second I started learning Cobain’s riffs on acoustic guitar after Nirvana Unplugged came out around that same age. I’m still in love with the guitar and it grows deeper all the time.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was raised on the classics of Rock and Roll and Classic Rock, and its whole wide-spanning universe. That means driving around with my dad and listening to Roy Orbison, ELO, Wings, the Stones, Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and George Harrison’s solo work too to name a few. Come to think of it, all of the Wilbury’s were mixed in there, separately. Except for Dylan. I wasn’t floored by Dylan until my college years. And if it’s not already understood, everything was built on the bedrock of The Beatles. As I once heard it phrased, they are the royal bloodline. I’m a superfan and can talk about them till I’m blue in the face. So I won’t.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Bob Marley - Legend. I must have been in 6th grade, or thereabout. I can still remember the exact aisle of the music store in the shopping mall where I thumbed through the plastic-coated Compact Discs’ packaging. My parents were waiting outside. Somehow I knew what I was hunting for, and when I saw his face I knew he was special. Even though it’s not an album per se, it’s arguably the greatest of the greatest hits. The music connected with such a deep part of my soul which I hadn’t even known existed. He continues to influence me. His aura, style, and free-flowing essence speak to me.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Imagine.” It’s so perfectly beautiful in sound and spirit that it’s difficult to describe. All I can say is it stops me cold whenever I hear it. Still. The deft piano. The perfect hand of the drums and their measured effect. Not to mention the unifying message. It can make me cry. They say the best ideas are simple, and its simplicity is so heavenly. The gorgeous one-track vocal and its structure just capture it all. So relevant. Also I remember watching the music video and its pure white aesthetic on a TV on the VH1 channel. I was glued and hypnotised by the sights and sound.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My blue notebook. Colours are very important to me, and each song that I write must make its way through those pages. I journal each morning in a red notebook with stream-of-conscious thoughts, and keep family memories in a yellow one. After all, those are the three primary colours and those notebooks are my entire world. I know where they are at all times. Anyways, even though each song comes to me in different ways, the one constant is my method of making it a reality. Once the title and chords and lyrics emerge onto the page in my blue notebook, it becomes a living organism of art and fuses the form between the mind’s eye and the flesh.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
The last group I went completely whole-hog to listen to was Wand out of Los Angeles. They have an incredible balance between psychedelic grunge and garage rock. I haven’t checked out their double live album from 2022 yet, but everything else in their catalogue is kickass. Also, Cory Hanson’s solo work is so cool. I was travelling to Greece a few summers back and it became the soundtrack to the trip. I am looking forward to seeing him shortly when he comes to Brooklyn in November. I really dig his writing style and introspective approach. Awesome vocalist, too.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
At this stage of my career, I would be beyond tickled to open for Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst is such a talented songsmith and he bleeds for it. It just comes straight through. And I relate to that. Also practically speaking, I know Bright Eyes has a loyal fan base and I’m one of them who’s seen them perform numerous times across 4 states. Each time they leave it all out there and it’d be so cool to rub elbows with them. Their music has been woven into different chapters of my life and I love their artistry. The last time I saw them, Conor thanked the opening act by saying she was one of his favourite songwriters today, and I thought it was so cool he was acknowledging the craft. It takes one to know one. On a separate note if they’re not available, I’d say Wilco. Jeff Tweedy is another purist with a kickass band.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part is the act of it. When I’m on stage, I feel truly free. When I sing, I feel like I’m floating. And when I see others listening to me, I feel connected to who we are as people and all of our journeys are linked right then and there. And the most mystical and romantic part is that it’s all wrapped in sound that you can’t touch or even get to last. I get so charged up that I can’t help but smile and feel alive and confident in my destiny - and yours.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I was toying with answering that question by cheekily saying “doing interviews like this.” However that’s false, because I know everything needs to be in its right place and we all scratch each other’s backs. And truthfully, I love talking about my music and art and who influenced me. It’s only right! So, I actually take pleasure in this process. I guess what I’m trying to say is that as an independent musician, I need to rely on others a lot and that can be frustrating. Specifically, it’s hard to sift through the masses and know who has my best interest in mind and who only wants to make a profit. The people on my team have to believe in my music first and foremost, and I can tell in a moment’s notice if that’s the case - or not.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I want to honour the guardian angel of music in my life who told me “go into the studio and see what comes out.” I was just reflecting on this the other day, and the answer bubbled up to the surface and I thought about it in a new light. See, before I recorded my record, I was struggling with my identity as an artist and what type of genre I should aspire to capture as my strong suit. It was tying me up in knots. When I heard this advice, it was freeing. And much more than identifying the genre, the process of going into the studio changed me on a deeper level which I didn’t even know was possible: I went into the studio as Brandon Harwood, but left as Island Moons. What happened there was entirely mystical. It was like visiting the oracle in “The Matrix.” Also I once heard Jeff Buckley describe the power of recognising his musical spirit. That’s eternal. Genres are made up of words and labels. I had it backwards.
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Island Moons' new single 'Jupiter On A Key Ring' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.