Moon Tan

Now in it’s 13th year Indie Week 2016 saw some 300+ bands play over 5 days in down town Toronto. The festival boasts several elements including film, a conference and a contest that sends one band to play Indie Week Europe next year. Dozens of shows were judged throughout the week across the city and 8 bands were chosen to compete in the finals last night at the Mod Club Theatre.

(brackets show where the band won the semi-finals)

The Corks (SAT Cameron House)
Samara York (SAT The Painted Lady)
Dick Rodan (SAT Velvet Underground)
#FamilyGrind (SAT The Bovine)
Fade Awaays (SAT The Drake)
Them&Us (Sat Nocturne) – 3rd PLACE
MunizO (Sat Cherry Cola’s) – 2nd PLACE
Moon Tan (SAT Mod Club) – WINNER
The was also a performance from WUZI (UK) – Indie Week Europe WINNERS

“Originally We didn’t even know if we were gonna make it out. We just finished a small tour a whole month in October from Quebec City to Vancouver Island and everything in between and we weren’t sure if we could afford it being self funded and all. But you never know what can happen so we went for it.” Said drummer Nick Kula over the phone.

“We’ve never played Europe before. That’ll be cool and an excuse to do something more in Europe hopefully.”

Described by The Scene as “Rush on Steroids” Moon Tan started in 2012 as a cover band in the Winnipeg area.

“We started as a cover band just to make money and play for a laugh. We’ve been covering Rush in our live shows for the last few years. We are all big Rush fans, all of those guys are heroes for us.” Said Kula.

Winning Indie Week 2016 seems like another rung in the ladder for Moon Tan who have slowly been building up their contacts and fan base under the guidance of veteran studio engineer Ron Obvious Vermeulen since their self titled EP in 2013. Obvious’s credits include building studios for Bryan Adams “The Warehouse Studio”, Jim Vallance “Armoury Studios”, k.d lang (private), Bob Rock (private), Colin James (private) Bob Buckley (private), and Mutt Lange (private).

Bands were judged on the following criteria:
Image, Stage Presence, Performance, Songwriting, Crowd Reaction, Professionalism, The IT Factor (Ready for the next level or not) .
Scores were marked out of 5 and grand totals tallied from all of the judges out of 35 possible marks were compared.

Take a listen to Moon Tan and see if you agree with the judges: - The Scene Magazine

High expectations are of little concern to Nicholas Kula. Kula, the drummer of Moon Tan — a Winnipeg trio that calls itself an “intergalactic space freak band” — knows his group’s audiences expect a grandiose rock show that blows away performances by lesser Earth-dwelling, guitar-plucking primates.

Kula isn’t worried about disappointing them.

Boasting guitar solos that shred like phasers through the hull of an errant space cruiser, Moon Tan’s live show doesn’t skimp on the elegance. Along with plenty of technical wizardry, the group also packs on the face paint and the leather pants.

It’s an out-of-this-world spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.

But Moon Tan weren’t exactly born a trio of interstellar warlords — the original plan was to be a cover band. And yet Kula, along with vocalist/bassist Adrian Dyer and guitarist Brady Mitchell, have launched a full-on rock crusade that takes cues from progressive funk and rock — right down to their volcano-hot pants.

Still unconvinced? If the mere idea of long-haired, stargazing, prog shredders isn’t enough to convince you — and it should be, but I’m saying if it isn’t — then here are Four Reasons (capitalized!) to love Moon Tan.

1 They Really, Really, Really Like Rush. Really.

Have you even listened to Rush? These Can-con kings of retro radio laid down a blueprint that has been studied by prog-rock disciples since the release of the group’s dystopian album, 2112.

They might never have better students than Moon Tan. After playing “Spirit Of Radio” live for years, the group eventually recorded a video of the song — something that’s since become a fan-favourite.

(In case you weren’t aware, nailing a Rush song is like winning a gold medal in some otherworldly Olympics event that hasn’t even been invented yet. So, yup.)

But it’s not just all about Geddy Lee worship, says Kula.

“I’ve always loved the music of another era,” says Kula. “The music of the ’70s and ’80s was what I grew up listening to. We aren’t trying to sound like that, necessarily; it’s just something in our musical lexicon and that’s what you get. We do have some contemporary influences.

“We just want to play the music we love,” he says.

2 They Have A Killer Album

Moon Tan’s latest album, New Age Renegade features six songs that sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers met Rush at that cantina in Star Wars — but with all the amps (and droids) cranked to 11.

Featuring pummeling drums and an aggressive bass style that anchors the rhythms, it’s perfect pub fare.

(The album art rocks too. A glowing, winged horse flying out of a cityscape that looks like Inception meets The Matrix? On point.)

But while the band has a bunch of songs ready, fans won’t see a new release until late 2017.

“We plan on hitting the studio in October and hope people dig the new stuff,” says Kula. “With each album we hope there are signs of something more progressive. There’s always going to be something that sounds like us, but we are always looking into something new.”

3 Moon Tan Are Snappy Dressers

It’s not just the music that takes you on a journey filled with lasers, warp drives, Venusian volcanoes and flesh-eating spiders from beyond the stars. Moon Tan are dressed for success. Also, space travel.

“When we started out as a group, we wanted to [take in] as many shows as possible — to make connections and see what else was happening in the local Winnipeg music scene,” says Kula. “When we got home, we would feel like some of the bands weren’t necessarily giving it their all. So we decided we wanted something that was a big presentation.”

When you see Moon Tan, you’re going to get that big something. Influenced by Peter Gabriel-era Genesis and Alice Cooper, a Moon Tan show is a happening and an experience.

“Especially nowadays with the Internet, it’s really easy to access the music,” says Kula. “But for anyone coming to the live show, we want to give them more than that — something you can’t get online. We want something that’s happening in the moment.”

That moment includes white and black leather pants, an accessory that tends to get moist during shows.

“I don’t use them as much anymore. They look pretty awesome but they’re a pain to play in,” Laughs Kula. “You have to be a slave for fashion sometimes.”

4 Get On Board This Cosmic Space Train Before It Takes Off

Having maintained a rigorous touring schedule for the past five years, Moon Tan look ready to blast off.

“The last time we played in Regina we had a really good-sized crowd come out and see us,” says Kula. “I think our reputation is building, and the audiences have been getting really crazy.”

It’s not just Moon Tan either, says the drummer. Across Canada there are similar pocket prog scenes popping up, with bands with similar aesthetics.

It’s a sound audiences are increasingly turning on to.

“We have people dressing up for our shows,” says Kula. “We did a show in Winnipeg and this guy had painted-up his whole body. He had all this crazy stuff all over his chest.

“I guess people are getting into the vibe of what we are doing. It reminds me of people going out to the Rocky Horror Picture Show and dressing up as those characters,” he says.

“I really hope that this becomes a thing.”

Transmission received. Make it so, Saskatchewan. - Planet S Magazine

The moon set on the Slice, Aug. 22 as they officially (Though there was one last final local concert scheduled for Aug. 27) closed their doors with with a big, loud show of prairie progressive rock featuring Swift Current band The Moon Runners and Winnipeg progressive rock trio Moon Tan.

Local rock/ desert rock band the Rainbow Patrol opened the late starting show just after 10:30 p.m. with a solid set of Queens of the Stone Age inspired desert rock. They even covered an old Queens of the Stone Age song.

They had a big groove courtesy of drummer Travis Arnodussen, who snarled out the vocals on some of the band’s heavier songs while hammering away at his kit.

Bandmates, bassist/ keyboardist Richard Charlton and guitarists Chris Arnoldussen and Joel Sincennes set down a big, ’70s inspired groove. Sincennes remembered getting punched in the face during his first visit to the Slice while local band Advertisement was playing a show. They played tasteful guitar solos as well.
Swift Current band the Moon Runners added a more emo feel to their eclectic progressive rock sound.

Frontman Stacy Tinant sang with heartbreaking urgency while bringing back a taste of ’80s style two handed fretboard tapping, which playing the occasional harmonized guitar solo with Logan Amon, who also showed some tapping skills.
Bassist Brady Frank was locked in with drummer Brett Tinant to hold down a complex groove that had quite few feet in the full house moving to the band’s groove which ranged from intricate progressive rock to ’80s style new wave and funk tinged pop and more exotic melodies.

Headliners Moon Tan didn’t start until well after midnight, but the wait was well worth it.

The amazingly tight Winnipeg based trio, Brady Mitchell, Adrian Dyer, Nick Kula, wearing make-up designed like the phases of the moon, put on a wicked show with a heavy groove and wailing vocals which sounded like a mix of Rush and Budgie.
There was plenty of big, heavy, fast paced guitar riffs and a flurry of fretboard tapping. They embarked on a massive jam featuring funky bass, massive drums and plenty of guitar.

After that was done, they crashed into a pretty much note perfect version of Rush’s “ Spirit of Radio.” before sending the smiling, though bittersweet feeling audience into the night with a quick cover of the Killers “I Believe In A Thing Called Love.”
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor - L.A. BEAT

Funky, high-flying Winnipeg trio Moon Tan, is bringing an element of spectacle back to rock music.

The progressive-rock-minded group, which released its debut full-length, New Age Renegade, earlier this year, is unleashing its live cover of Rush’s “Spirit of the Radio” as the band heads out west across the frozen prairies with Johnny 2 Fingers & the Deformities.

The Rush cover is a return to the early days of Moon Tan, when the group was itself a cover band.

“Originally, I had started the band with a singer back in the day—it was just going to be a cover project originally,” drummer Nick Kula says. “Then it kind of evolved over time. It came from stretching out musically, and we started getting more heady with the stuff we were doing, so we wanted to create stuff ourselves in that space and time.”

The band’s music—with slap-bass funk and soaring vocals provided by Adrian Dyer and thrilling guitar solos from Brady Mitchell—is ideal for sweaty headbanging. The band felt that since its music is so dynamic in scope—with ferocious guitar melodies, driving prog-rock instrumentation and Dyer’s high-flying vocals—that its live show should match.

“Each of us are pretty proficient at our instruments—technically proficient—and we really like to deliver something flashy on the musical front,” Dyer says. “We really want do something that kind of complemented that, in terms of theatrically.”

The trio is one of the rare rock groups which has built-out an entire image, with costumes and onstage guitar-hero theatrics. Moon Tan, whose image and dress is based on the phases of the moon, wasn’t intentional when the band first chose its name: it was “kind of a flukey thing,” Dyer explains.

“It was kind of unanimous decision that we really want to make an awesome live show, and Nick was pretty adamant on coming up with a cohesive image of the band” he explains. “I had an idea to paint a crescent moon symbol on my face to play up the name Moon Tan. We just kind of decided to paint a different phase of the moon on our face and dress up all weird.”

The group’s costumes are created by the individual band members. Dyer has a black wing harness he purchased on eBay, while Kula himself goes topless with white leather pants.

“We all kind of came up with our own motifs,” Kula adds. “In a lot of ways, our costuming is reflective of our personalities and the type of image that we lean to.”

Sat, Dec 5 (8 pm)
With Johnny 2 Fingers & the Deformities, Primrose Hawkmouth
Filthy McNasty’s, Free - VUE Weekly

Moon Tan is outrageous. But what legendary rock band didn't start off that way?

KISS had the makeup, Black Sabbath had the bat and Alice Cooper had the straightjackets and decapitations.

Moon Tan has the theatrics.

"We want to deliver a strong visual representation of a theatrical live show and really bring that to people," said Adrian Dyer, bassist of the Winnipeg-based band.

"We feel today with live performances, that's something that has been lost and we want to bring that back."

On Friday, Moon Tan is performing at Chillers, alongside Moose Jaw band Johnny 2 Fingers and The Deformities.

"We have very intense high energy. We rock out and give it all we got," said Dyer.

During their shows, the band dresses up as different stages of the moon. Dyer is the crescent moon, guitar player Brady Mitchell is the half moon, and drummer Nick Kula is the full moon.

It might sound corny, perhaps even cheesy, but their performance doesn't allow for it. This Winnipeg band is straight rock and roll with their fans comparing them to Rush and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Five years ago the band was just doing covers. But two years ago Moon Tan formed and two albums soon followed.

"The music flows naturally through us," said Dyer.

Their first EP was released in 2013. Their sophomore album, New Age Renegade was released earlier this year and was produced by Dale Penner of Paradise Alley.

"It's all been received really well and people have been getting into our live show and digging the album as well."

Moose Jaw is one stop of several for the Winnipeg band who are headed to Alberta. They'll be performing later this month at Alberta's Own Independent Music and Arts Festival.

Their show at Chillers starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $10 at the door.

"We put on an awesome live show. We have a high level of musicianship and we'll make sure people get their money's worth if they come out and check live music," said Dyer. "We're doing our best to revive it to the best of our ability."

For more on Moon Tan check them out at www.moontan.net.

Mickey Djuric can be reached at 306-691-1263 or on Twitter @MickeyDjuric. - Moose Jaw Times Herald

Canadian band Moon Tan have released their debut album ‘New Age Renegade’ this month.

Based in Winnipeg and formed in 2012, members Adrian Dyer (Vocals/Bass), Brady Mitchell (Guitars) and Nick Kula (Drums) released their self-titled debut EP in 2013. This new 6 track album is full of their signature sound, with elements of rock, some progressive influences and some very grooving bass lines.

All of the tracks on the album have monster sounding guitars for just the trio, as well as a dirty rhythm to their songs, and powerful vocals that go off the scale at times to make this an excellent debut album. Full of impressive rock tracks such as ‘New Age Renegade’, which is the first song to be released from the album, this gives a great introduction of how great Moon Tan sound. Every track on the album takes a slightly different direction, which grabs your attention from the very start. If you like your rock music to be full great melodies that at times has a filthy sound to the songs, then this is the band for you.

The album is available for digital download from their bandcamp page http://moontanband.bandcamp.com/

Moon Tan are also about to embark on a Western Canadian Tour:

February 27th, 2015 The Mojo Club, Regina, SK
February 28th, 2015 Schooners Pub ,Medicine Hat, AB
March 2nd, 2015 The Slice, Lethbridge, AB
March 3rd, 2015 TBA
March 5th, 2015 The Railway Club, Vancouver, B.C
March 6th, 2015 Logans Pub, Victoria, B.C
March 7th, 2015 The Rainbow Room, Port Alberni, B.C
March 8th, 2015 The Rainbow Room, Port Alberni, B.C
March 10th, 2015 TBA
March 11th, 2015 The Nite Owl, Calgary, AB
March 12th, 2015 Slumland Theatre, Red Deer, AB
March 13th, 2015 The Mercury Room, Edmonton, AB
March 14th, 2015 Rock Bottom, Saskatoon, SK
March 20th, 2015 The Cavern, Winnipeg, MB
April 2nd, 2015 The Zoo, Winnipeg, MB - Rock And Roll Creations

So, you really need to listen to these guys if you like this vein of music. They can play! Lots of interesting, complex time changes, bass style, great solos, funk, nice vocals. They've got a stage show like you wouldn't believe and have committed to their band persona. Get into Moon Tan. Fans of RHCP, Rush and Sabbath rejoice!

(See Video Interview) - In It To Spin It

Winnipeg progressive funk/rock trio Moon Tan looks like they’re from another planet and sounds like they were plucked from a hidden gem in your dad’s vinyl collection.

The trio parades their tight pants and long, flowing hair that, by mid-show, is stuck by sweat to face paint representing three separate moon phases. Beams of light bounce off their “moon goggles” as they play powerful rock songs from their latest album New Age Renegade.

In the words of vocalist/bassist Adrian Dyer, “your body, mind, soul, and loins will explode with ecstasy.”

The band was conceived by drummer Nicholas Kula in the hopes of creating a cover band. Through word of mouth, Dyer and guitarist Brady Mitchell fell into place.

The three decided that original music would be the way to go, and after fruitless Kijiji ad attempts to find a frontman and vocalist, Dyer assumed the roles himself.

Moon Tan released New Age Renegade earlier this year and the reaction has been positive, landing them gigs at shows and festivals across the province.

“People really dig it. It adds a different dimension to our songs,” said Dyer of the band’s latest release.

“At a live performance, people unconsciously have to decide which sense to be captivated by: visual or auditory. The album gives listeners a chance to catch any tasty licks they may have missed at the show due to overstimulation or inebriation.”

Moon Tan’s live performance is enhanced with an appearance that is especially unique in Winnipeg, as the band has frequently performed alongside folk and indie groups.

“At times the contrast really makes us stand out on a bill, as we always deliver high-energy performances,” said Dyer.

“It also makes the other artists stand out contrast-wise. It’s a win-win situation for everybody. We can’t grow beards, so folk wasn’t an option for us.”

The rock trio is committed to putting on an unforgettable performance, pulling inspiration from the energy and stage presences of bands like Genesis, Alice Cooper, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“We want to create that same emotion in our audience members when they watch or listen to us,” Dyer told the Manitoban.

“We are committed to putting on one of the most stimulating, entertaining live shows people have seen from a local band. We feel that our stage appearance, musical chops, and energy really give the audience the feeling that they’re at a ‘performance.’ Fans recognize that, and they appreciate it. Bottom line, we want to give people their money’s worth.”

With the success of their album, Moon Tan is planning a Western Canadian tour over the course of December, finishing up with a homecoming show at the Windsor Hotel on Saturday, Dec. 12.

“To be a real Canadian band, I think it’s something you have to do at least once,” said Dyer of the tour.

“We keep a large candle under the seat in case anything goes awry with the van. We’ll be releasing a ‘Spirit of the Radio’ [by Canadian prog-rock legends Rush] cover video, and we are hitting the road promoting it. Also, we’re overdue for a string of shows out west, it’s always a great time.”

The band’s plan to hit the road with Moose Jaw-based rock trio Johnny 2 Fingers and the Deformities arose after bonding over the love of rock and Italian cuisine.

“We have an unspoken kinship that is beyond words, space, and time. They play rock and roll, we do too. [Vocalist/guitarist] John took us under his wing in Moose Jaw and showed us an awesome restaurant with spectacular pasta,” said Dyer.

“We were discussing doing something like this for a while and finally our schedules lined up enough for this gruesome twosome tour to be unleashed upon the west.”

This is just the beginning for Moon Tan, and they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“At the moment, we have been working hard on new material that we think fans will really enjoy. We have a few surprises up our sleeve, and we’re really excited to share our newest video, yet to be unveiled,” said Dyer.

“We are dedicated to continually improving our live show, making it more entrancing and engaging than ever, both sonically and visually, and we will never stop doing that. For all of you on the Moon Tan ride: buckle up, it’s gonna get crazy.” - The Manitoban

This one’s a howler. A decade or so after The Darkness made kitsch sincere again, the children of this movement picked up instruments and unleashed a four song EP of hooky, numbing and epic space rock. “The Cure” features plucky bass, soaring choruses and devastating guitars, while “Dead Men Tell No Tales” eats away at your soul, slowly, like the Sarlacc pit. At seven minutes, “Medieval Dance” is a killer, but it’s the ragtag instrumental “Supernaut” that sums things up nicely - simple in its pageantry but devastating in its execution. But, you know, fun. - The Uniter (Winnipeg)