Moondaddy Announce Lightwave Lightwave LP, Share “Water Bearer” Single + Video
Watch the music video for “Water Bearer” HERE
What started out as escapism from existential angst has morphed into artistic assuredness for San Diego, California-based dream pop band moondaddy. In just a few years, the buzzed-about quintet’s singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Cara Potiker has gone from hazily sketching out tunes in her bedroom to tripping out audiences and turning heads with moondaddy’s mesmerizing live show.
2023 saw the release of their critically acclaimed debut, Poet Lies, and today moondaddy shares news of their newest EP, Lightwave Lightwave. The four-song collection sees the band take its fearless and transcendent live show into the studio for a bold, completely analog recording experience. From tracking live to cutting vinyl, the entire process involved no computers.
“This is the first project that sounds exactly the way I want my music to sound. I didn’t have the confidence before, and I just let men take reins,” Cara says.“My vision really came to life on this analog EP—my band and I took full advantage of the spontaneous and manic energy of tape recording.”
Alongside the news of Lightwave Lightwave, moondaddy shares its darkly alluring first single, “Water Bearer,” a stunning homage to Cara’s relationship with her partner. Her lyrics are poetic, full of gorgeous longing that is underscored by a wistful synth. The dreamy track features Cara’s richly expressive low-register vocals blanketed by waves of ethereal textures, glistening electric guitars, and spare and precise drumming. Towards the song’s end is a stunning operatic passage performed by vocalist-keyboardist, Julia Rahm, Cara’s partner.
““Water Bearer” is an homage to the depth and strength of my relationship with my partner and bandmate. The six of us (Manny, Pat, Rob, Gabe, Julia, and I) collectively set an intention to make the song sound familiar yet supernatural. I think we were able to capture something kind of otherworldly during our breakdowns.”
moondaddy’s latest, Lightwave Lightwave, is due out September 13th, 2024 on vinyl and available via all streaming platforms. The four-song collection achieves that rare feat of sounding otherworldly, vintage, and current all at the same time. Lightwave Lightwave was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas and co-produced by Manuel Calderon (Animal Collective, Portugal. The Man, Beach House) and mastered/cut from the tapes to a lacquer by Paul Gold (Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, and LCD Soundsystem) at Salt Mastering.
moondaddy is both emotionally evocative and lyrically abstract. Cara curates sparkling and dusky soundscapes replete with meticulously-crafted instrumental tones. Songs patiently unfold with immersive and imaginative arrangements. Cara’s richly expressive vocals inhabit the songs in diverse ways, haunting the music with low-toned singing while other times soaring above with phoenix-like majesty. Her lyrics are enigmatic, viscerally emotional, and poetic—defining feelings clearly without belaboring linear narratives. The band’s artfully impressionistic aesthetic comes to life onstage with its live show which features a stunning installation of projected visuals created by NYC-based artist Blair Neal.
Lightwave Lightwave finds Cara reuniting with Manual at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas with her band for all-analog recording sessions. The lineup for the EP includes Julia Rahm, synthesizer and harmony vocals; Patrick Heaney, drums; Rob Wren, bass; and Gabe Poissant, guitar. The band tracked live in the studio directly to tape. “I loved recording this way because there is an immediate finality to the process. Tape is limited so you can’t endlessly tinker,” Cara says.
“Water Bearer” is out today via all DSPs. Lightwave Lightwave EP is due out Septemeber 13th.
FEATURED INTERVIEW:
Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind “Water Bearer” and how it stands to represent the themes portrayed on Lightwave Lightwave as the EP’s lead single?
Water bearer was inspired by my bandmate and partner. The water bearer is the symbol for aquarius, her astrological sign. I wanted to create something that really reflects the unpredictable yet intoxicating nature of romantic relationships. She also sings an otherworldly opera part during the breakdown that is spine chilling.
How does this EP differ from your debut album Poet Lies in terms of sound and lyrical content?
Poet Lies was very much a collaboration between Manuel Calderon and I. There were more cooks in the kitchen during this EP. Though Manny did most of the structuring (and absolutely blew my mind with his calm focused demeanor while dealing with very finicky equipment), my amazing bandmates Patrick Heaney (drums), Gabriel Poissant (guitar), Rob Wren (bass), and Julia Rahm (synth) all contributed their unique flair and sensibilities. We were also joined on cello/synth by well respected El Paso musician Eric Coughanour (Fools Like Me). I would say while Poet Lies was more heart centered and laced with longing, Lightwave Lightwave is more spacious and psychedelic, with a supernatural element that comes from the tape warmth.
How did the decision to record the EP entirely in analog come to fruition and consequently impact the final sound of the project?
I’ve always wanted to record to tape. I’ve experimented with tape layback in the past during the mastering phase, and I’m very addicted to the warmth that analog equipment can create. There was also something so amazing about the finality of the process. Even if it wasn’t perfect, it was an accurate snapshot of how we were feeling and playing in the moment. I have a tendency to obsess over minor details, and not being able to do that really opened me up creatively and made me analyze certain choices in a different light.
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