Moonchild is an American alternative R&B band based in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of Amber Navran, Max Bryk, and Andris Mattson.[1][2] All three are alumni of USC Thornton School of Music's Jazz Studies program.[3][4][5] The band formed in the summer of 2011 after touring the west coast with Navran's previous solo project. The trio bonded in the car over similar music tastes and spent the summer and subsequent fall writing the music for what became their debut album Be Free, which would be released the following year.
Moonchild | |
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![]() Moonchild at Kantine | |
Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | Alternative R&B, neo-soul, jazz |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels | Tru Thoughts |
Members | Amber Navran Max Bryk Andris Mattson |
Website | thisismoonchild |
The debut album was well received by critics, garnering praise from many musical greats including Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Stevie Wonder. After hearing the group's music in December 2012, Wonder invited the group to open for him at his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert.[citation needed]
Since the release of Be Free in 2012, the band has released four more albums through British record label Tru Thoughts[6][7] and toured internationally. They have also collaborated on tracks with Rapsody[8] and Tall Black Guy.[9]
Moonchild performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert in December 2019.[4]
During the 2019 Little Ghost US Tour, the band used their platform to promote local charities in each city they played in.
In 2022, the band released their fifth studio album "Starfruit", which was nominated for a Grammy in 2023 for Best Progressive R&B Album of the Year.
Band members
edit- Amber Navran — lead vocals, flute, tenor saxophone, synthesizer, piano, drums (2011–present)
- Max Bryk - piano, synthesizer, alto saxophone, clarinet, kalimba, drums (2011–present)
- Andris Mattson - piano, synthesizer, trumpet, flugelhorn, acoustic guitar, ukulele, drums (2011–present)
- Efajemue - touring drummer[10]
Discography
editAlbums
editYear | Album | Track list |
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2012 | Be free |
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2015 | Please Rewind |
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2017 | Voyager |
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2019 | Little Ghost |
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2022 | Starfruit |
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References
edit- ^ Garcia, Sebastian (13 September 2019). "LA's Moonchild charting new musical territory". avpress.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ Lindsey, By Craig. "L.A. band Moonchild rising on the R&B scene". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "Moonchild makes NPR Tiny Desk debut". music.usc.edu. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Moonchild: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "Moonchild brings its ever-evolving neo-soul sound to Boston - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "Moonchild - Tru-Thoughts". Tru-Thoughts. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "LA trio Moonchild return with new album, Little Ghost - The Vinyl Factory". The Vinyl Factory. August 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ Major, Michael. "Moonchild Unveil New Single 'Love I Need' Feat. Rapsody". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Tall Black Guy Helps Moonchild Take Flight With A 'Run Away' Remix". SoulBounce. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "A million views for Moonchild's Tiny Desk concert". 11 February 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2023.