Complex Indie-Rockers Set to Play Crocks At NV
By Melanie Larson
Half Moon Run’s original lineup consisting of Devon Portielje, Dylan Phillips, and Conner Molander met in 2009 through a Craigslist advertisement seeking musicians. The trio of multi-instrumentalists quickly bonded and, despite many doubts and challenges, eventually pursued their undeniable musical chemistry. They ultimately recorded a demo version of the track “Full Circle,” which helped them get signed to their current label, Indica Records.
In 2012, they released their debut album Dark Eyes, a moody shapeshifter that seamlessly blends genres from indie rock to folk to alt-pop. Singer Devon Portielje’s emotive vocals cut through the urgent instrumentals that frequent tracks like “Drug You” and “She Wants To Know.” In the wake of their debut effort, Half Moon Run saw the album go gold in Canada and while touring, they found themselves taking another fellow multi-instrumentalist into their permanent lineup, Isaac Symonds.
Their second full-length album, Sun Leads Me On, mirrors its title quite literally as the band produced it during a period of great struggle, only for a trip to sunny California to bring them the clarity they needed to complete the project. In the end, Sun Leads Me On introduces a much more subdued sound to Half Moon Run’s discography with spacey synths and melancholic acoustic guitars all over its thirteen tracks.
Half Moon Run will bring their complex, atmospheric sound to Thunder Bay on July 12 when they take to the stage at Crocks at NV NightClub. Doors open at 8pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit loffredo.ca.
