Bob Moses — unique mixture of electronic music and indie rock

Bob Moses is a duo that originated in NYC although both of the members are from Canada. The music they play and create is a mixture between electronic music and indie rock due to their backgrounds. It’s a mixture that works. When you listen to them while on headphones you’ll get lost in the melancholic feeling but when listening to them live you’ll start dancing your heart out. To do just that, all you need to do is head to Kablys + Kultūra in Vilnius, Lithuania on February 6.

Who’s Bob Moses?

Both of the duo’s members, Tom Howie (vocals, guitar) and Jimmy Vallance (keys), are originally from Vancouver, Canada. Even though they went to the same high school together, during that period they never really clicked. They knew each other as “the other music guy” but their tastes were too different for them to really spend time together. Vallance was into techno while Howie was more of a rock guy. Once high school was over both of them moved to USA. Howie to Boston and Vallance straight to NYC. It was in NYC where they met each other again in a parking lot of a hardware store in 2011. As it so happens when you meet someone from your home town in a completely different place — they went for dinner.

Each of them had been working with music after high school but when they met they admitted to each other, that their careers weren’t exactly where they had hoped they could be. That led them to playing the music they had made to one another and later just jamming together. As they’ve said later on — from that moment they knew there was something there. They had the necessary chemistry and they felt comfortable playing with each other.

The first deal they got as a duo was when they were both in Berlin and got introduced to Philipp Jung from M.A.N.D.Y. It was for writing a vocal hook. After that the next one followed and thus they got to the point where they were offered a chance to make an EP. It was for the record label Scissor and Thread whose founders were the ones to give the duo their name — Bob Moses. The name itself is a homage to a prominent NYC planner Robert Moses.

In October of 2012 they released their debut EP “Hands to Hold”. Due to their unique sound which could be described as dreamy, melodic deep-house with indie feel it didn’t take too long for them to release another EP, a compilation of their EP’s called “All In All” and on September 18, 2015 — their debut album “Days Gone By”.

The album resonated with people worldwide and they started touring intensively. Because of the sound they have they got the chance to play places and festivals that are more for rock music, while at the same time they could play clubs that only took on electronic acts. As they have said it themselves — they see themselves as a band that just happens to be making electronic music.

Though it was the song “Tearing Me Up” that really put them in the spotlight. For this song, in 2016 they got a Grammy nomination for best dance record. Apart from that, the remix of that song by RAC won a Grammy that year for best remixed recording, non-classical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4oUeqOkb90

“Battle Lines”

Their most recent album “Battle Lines” was released on September 14, 2018. With this album they did not feel like repeating themselves. Doing the same thing over is boring so they wanted to take the next step. There were core elements of their sound which they kept in the songs but other than that they followed the flow of creativity.

Most of the inspiration for the album came while they were touring with “Days Gone By”. For instance, the beginning of the song “Back Down” was written at a soundcheck for a show. It was the chance to play for the audiences and from listening to other acts that made the album happen.

As they have said it themselves: “Days Gone By” was written by two guys, in a windowless basement in Brooklyn, pouring our frustrations into music in an effort to connect with ourselves and other people. “Battle Lines” was written by two guys (with a lil help on one song), in a windowless basement in LA as a reaction to connecting with people and being inspired by the struggles we all share.”

One difference from their works of the past is that they tried to push themselves as songwriters on this record which can really be felt throughout it. Especially in comparison to “Days Gone By” or the early EP’s. It is certainly more lyrical and there is just a bit more melancholy residing in it.

It is still a Bob Moses album and at times it will certainly make you want to dance but the perfect way to listen to it would be when you’re alone at night, with your headphones on. The second best way to do it is at their show when the way they present their music live turns you on and makes you want to dance along to the rhythm. Even to the songs you might otherwise consider calm or slow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqcbMlyPK48

What to expect from their show?

Back in 2014 and 2015 they were featured as one of Top20 live acts by Resident Advisor. Even though the music has slightly changed, their ability to grip the audiences has remained. The fact that they act as a band even when playing electronic music makes their show something to remember. But what they really want to do when playing live is to make a party. To have all the people in the audience dancing along and having a great evening.

Parties is exactly where they come from when talking about live shows. In the early days of their duo they mostly played DJ sets where Howie would sing on top of their tracks. When the time for changes came it took them some time to figure out how to do a full show but thanks to the help of other industry professionals they were able to shape themselves into the great live act they are today.

You can expect for the show to sound like the record but in a more energetic form due to the live drums on top of the electronic drums and the way that a DJ set is mixed with a rock band sound. Apart from the duo itself, on tour they bring along a drummer and bass player to really make the audiences feel that the band lives up to their reputation as “alchemists of rock and electronica”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NK35FGIBjo

As with any type of music — it is not for everyone. But if you are into indietronica, indie or electronic music then this might be a great show you don’t want to miss. Give them a listen (during the nightly hours of the day) and see for yourself. Their sound is unique and they will certainly reel you into the the world of Bob Moses. After that happens — I’m sure to see you next to the stage on February 6, at Kablys + Kultūra in Vilnius, Lithuania.

P.S. as a fan of their music I would love to thank the amazing agency 8 Days a Week for bringing them over to the Baltic states.

Written by: Pauls Siliņš