Moon Taxi is a force that has been gaining momentum since their inception in 2006 with no signs of slowing down. Their catchy indie rock sound has propelled them to a highly sought after band everywhere they play. We are so impressed with the guys that we asked them to headline our annual festival in May of 2014 in Knoxville’s Market Square to a crowd of 8,000. Recently they sold out the Bijou Theatre for their second time on a tour that is filled with sold out shows. This summer, they will play Bonnaroo and Governor’s Ball, two of the biggest festivals in the U.S. Recently we caught up with keyboardist and Knoxville native Wes Bailey to discuss “Southern Trance,” Bonnaroo and Rage Against the Machine.
The 2013 release, Mountains, Beaches, Cities, garnered huge critical acclaim and lead to an enormous growth in their fan base and there is already a lot of talk about the next album. “We’re writing everyday. We have 8-10 songs, though some are just sketches. We’re so excited to get in the studio this coming March.” 2012’s Cabaret brought us one of our favorites, “Southern Trance.” The lines “Tipsy, mint julep/There’s something rowdy in the air/And wild rivers; out of control/ Rolling down through market square,” gives a joyful nod to Knoxville’s iconic landmark which they have played twice in the last few years to a combined crowd of over 18,000 people. “Trevor had written those lyrics and I sat on them for almost a year before I wrote the music and melody for it. It’s one of my favorite lines because I grew up in Knoxville and Market Square is such a special place for Knoxville’s artistic culture.”
Growing up in Knoxville, Bailey has been active in the music scene from a young age. “I grew up there and have played every bar in town. Once you tap into the scene, there is so much support from the locals. (It is) a great place to build a band. My first experience on stage was a choir boy in a Xmas play at the Bijou Theatre in the second grade. I got such a high being on stage. It’s really cool for me to return back to the Bijou and play it with a rock band. I always think of that 2nd grade me when I’m playing there. Watching people get a reaction live to a lyric or musical part is a great inspiration to me. That never gets old from show to show.”
Bonnaroo 2015 is just over four months away and the excitement is palpable. This will mark Moon Taxi’s second trip to the farm. Their first was in 2012 when they played That Tent. “Playing Killing in the Name in 2012 was unforgettable there. The crowd went wild.”
Setlist: All The Rage, Hypnus, Gunflower, Who Do You Think UR, Whisky Sunsets, Square Circles, Common Ground, Mercury, Change, Killing In the Name Of (RATM cover), Cabaret.
During that trip, they recorded an original about the festival in a rather interesting place. When asked what lead to that, Bailey told us, “Because it’s the shit.”
