The plan was to put out a four-song EP. However, time away from the stage allowed for more time to write, and that forthcoming EP from local rock band P.J. Moon and The Swappers turned into a full-length record, ready to drop at any moment.
It’s par for the course for Moon, who upon arriving in Durango in 2017, submerged himself into the local music scene, joining musicians who have no problem double- or even triple-dipping into numerous other bands and projects; having an EP turn into a full-length record is just testament to the man’s organic, set-your-own-pace productivity.
“We had four songs recorded close to a year ago, and we were going to release an EP. And then we kept writing and kept playing; it’s been a slow, ongoing process, and I wouldn’t say it’s a concept album, but it’s definitely got a similar theme throughout, and everything seemed relevant so we made it a full-length. We couldn’t help it,” Moon said. “We wanted to put out the EP just so we can continue releasing stuff, and by the time we had everything ready for that, we had already written the rest of an album. And we just took our time recording it. You know how it is in the independent music scene, we’ve all got other jobs, Charlie’s continuously in like three bands at a time, I was working on some other projects as well, so we decided not to rush it and give it the time it deserved. I’m really glad with how it turned out.”
“Soul Fashioned” is the follow up to Moon and band’s 2018 debut “Memoirs of Living in a Car.” That release was a fabulous dose of jam and groove, an at times Allman Brothers-inspired collection of subtle Southern rock that also had plenty of odd turns to appease the indie crowd. “Soul Fashioned,” which was recorded locally at Scooters Place, features Moon on guitar and vocals, with Swappers Charlie Henry on bass and Cord Drake on drums, along with guests Dyllon Drake, Kelly Emery, Sam Kelly and Alex Mayes. With straight-ahead blasts of rock ’n’ roll that rub elbows with punchy horns and loads of harmonies, it’s a diverse offering Moon is stoked on.
“We got the lighthearted party songs with some instrumentation and some groove, and a few with a little bit more depth, and some more invention in the writing and the lyrics,” Moon said. “With the title track, well it’s obviously pretty crazy times right now, and we are all looking back nostalgically to the past. It’s a bit of our criticizing modern ideas and just looking back to a little more connection to soul. I think it’s a relevant track for right now. It makes a lot of sense to me. And we’ve got 10 other songs, anywhere from your heavy drive on the guitar and some straight rock and roll, and some full horn section stuff. It’s cool, I really like what it turned out to be. I’m definitely proud of it.”
With touring up in the air, the band is rolling down the video avenue for promotion of the record. The band recently turned Moon’s living room into a performance space, brought in engineer and producer Scott “Scooter” Smith along with director of photography James Mirabal to shoot a video for the cut “Current Mode.” The three-camera shoot showcases the band’s albeit live isolated performance prowess, currently viewable via the band’s social media channels. It’s the glimpse they can offer until the world changes back to normal.
“I think right now is an interesting time where everyone is forced to focus on different ways of going about doing the same thing,” Moon said. “Obviously, we love playing live shows, that’s what got everyone into it. I hope it comes back, but it’s not the reality at the moment. If that changes, you bet we’re going to be hitting the road.”
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
