Interview: Spencer Thomson (Moon Taxi)

The energetic rockers of Moon Taxi love being on stage and keeping their collective performance muscles active, but being forced to stay at home for most of the past 18+ months and recharge has proved just as valuable in the long-term success of the band.

Back in Nashville for a few days before getting back on tour, which brings the group to Salvage Station on Saturday, Oct. 9, guitarist Spencer Thomson spoke with Asheville Stages about recording during the pandemic, resuming life on the road, and getting ready for the next album.

Edwin Arnaudin: How have you fared overall during the pandemic?

Spencer Thomson: 2020 was a nice break from touring, and now that we’re back at it, it feels fresh and energized. At the beginning of the ‘demic, we were still finishing up our recent album, Silver Dream, so we were able to focus on that and then transition into all the things you start doing to promote that. We’ve dealt with tons of issues and obstacles over the years — the key is always to stay relaxed and focused. 

EA: Without being able to tour, in what ways did you adapt as a band over the past year and a half to stay musically sharp and connected with listeners?

ST: We did our share of livestreams and stayed active on social media and tried to keep things fresh on that front. It helped that we had a fresh album, so we had new songs and content to work with.  

EA: What’s it like being back on the road? Are there parts about touring that you’ve especially missed or have taken on new significance?

ST: The shows have been great! We have a tight-knit crew and we’re all friends, so for everyone to be back together doing what we love feels like a family reunion of sorts.

EA: Asheville and Nashville aren’t too far apart geographically (or in how they’re spelled and sound), but they definitely have distinct vibes and plenty of other differences. What about Asheville stands out to you from other cities you frequently play — on a musical and general level?

ST: Asheville seems to keep it real and the people of Asheville are genuine folks who like live music. Obviously, the setting is beautiful, so that’s a big bonus, and spending a day here is always a pleasant experience.

EA: Silver Dream was released in January. Was it recorded during the pandemic, or something you had to sit on for a bit while seeing how pandemic-related touring issues would play out?

ST: The majority of the album was done by the start of the ‘demic, but there were still a couple loose ends and finishing touches to do. We did some more recording in the middle of the ‘demic for a special version of the single “Hometown Heroes.”  We had our buddy Jimmie Allen, who is an amazing country artist, sing on it. I love that version. But technology had already made doing things remotely easy, and if you had to do recording sessions with multiple people, you just tried to be as safe as possible.

EA: What’s been involved in bringing these newest songs from the studio to the stage? Is it a fairly involved process or do you write pretty much from the get-go with live performance in mind?

ST: They’ve all come together pretty naturally. Some need some more trial-and-error than others, but we’ve always tried to make songs that work both in studio and on stage, and when we’re creating the songs in studio, we usually have a good sense of how it will work live.

EA: What are your plans for winter and your goals for 2022?

ST: We’re continuing playing shows through the end of the year and are lining up more for the spring. Simultaneously, we’ve already begun writing and recording new stuff that we’re getting excited about.

IF YOU GO

Who: Moon Taxi with Futurebirds and Sparkle City Disco
When: Saturday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Drive, salvagestation.com
Tickets: $25 advance/$30 day of show

(Photo by Don Van Cleave)