Moon Taxi

History

Early days and formation of current line-up

Trevor Terndrup and Tommy Putnam attended high school together in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, and played in a bluesy rock group known as Apex during their junior and senior years. Upon graduation in 2002, the two moved to Nashville, Tennessee where they met fellow student and guitarist Spencer Thomson, and drummer David Swan, shortly after their arrival at Belmont University. Together with Thomson, a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Swan of Atlanta, Georgia, the quartet jammed in freshman dorm rooms, quickly landing a gig as the backing band for a local rap duo. In the school years following, the group performed sparsely around Nashville and in college towns around the Southeast under the name Moon Taxi.

After Swan graduated from Belmont in 2006, he left the band to pursue a career as a US Army Aviator. Moon Taxi commissioned drummer Tyler Ritter, also of Vestavia Hills, in fall 2006, and the quartet began writing and recording songs for a debut studio release. Keyboardist Wes Bailey, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, sat in with the band during local shows around the same time, and when Melodica was released in April 2007, Bailey was added as a permanent member, thus completing the current line-up.

''Melodica'' and 12th South Records

Moon Taxi's debut studio effort, Melodica, was recorded in Nashville at Triple House Productions. The album's material is primarily categorized as jam rock and contains the tracks "Gimme a Light" and "Here to Stay". Terndrup, Putnam, Thomson, and Ritter formed 12th South Records, an independent label housed in their 12th Avenue South home.

''Live Ride''

In August 2008, the band recorded a live album, Live Ride, from a performance at 12th and Porter in Nashville. The night featured two sets with nearly 30 songs, both new material and ''Melodica'''s.

The release of Live Ride was a precursor to more festival appearances, such as The Hangout Music and Arts Festival (Gulf Shores, Alabama) in 2010 and 2011, Wakarusa in Ozark, Arkansas in 2011, as well as a nationwide tour in 2010 that took the band from Maine to California. The group won the inaugural Music City Mayhem Contest for "Common Ground", which awarded them several songs in brief rotation on Nashville's WRLT Lightning 100.1 FM. Their Hangout Fest performance in 2010 gained them a Best New Jam nod through JamBase.

During their touring schedule in support of Live Ride, Moon Taxi opened for Gov't Mule, Umphrey's McGee, Matisyahu, and The New Mastersounds.

''Cabaret''

In 2010, Moon Taxi began writing new material for their second studio LP, Cabaret. The album was recorded at Alex The Great Studios in South Nashville and at See Six Studios, Thomson's home studio. The album was produced primarily by Thomson with the help of Hank Sullivant, a musician/producer from Athens, Georgia, who also sang guest harmony vocals on "Let's Go Back". Cabaret was mixed by Grammy Award-winner Vance Powell (The Raconteurs) at Sputnik Sound in Berry Hill, Tennessee and mastered by Richard Dodd. The track "Square Circles" features a guest appearance by hip-hop artist Matisyahu and rock n roll legend Mclain Reese.

On April 10, 2013, a live performance by Moon Taxi aired on NPR's World Cafe.

''Mountains Beaches Cities''

On September 10, 2013, Moon Taxi released its third studio recording, Mountains Beaches Cities, on the band's label, 12th South Records via BMG. The album features 10 unreleased tracks produced by guitarist Spencer Thomson. Mountains Beaches Cities was recorded in Nashville, TN at SonyTree Studios and See Six Studios. The title is an adaption of the band's view of North Carolina's attributes, namely mountains, beaches and cities.

"For their third album, Mountains Beaches Cities, indie rock quintet Moon Taxi explored new landscapes by amping up the speed and turning up the volume," wrote USA Today.

''Daybreaker''

On October 2, 2015, Moon Taxi released its fourth studio album, Daybreaker, on the band's label, 12th South Records via BMG. It was produced by Jacquire King, whose credits include albums by James Bay and Kings of Leon.

Rolling Stone noted: "Over the last few years, Nashville's Moon Taxi have worked their way up from Bonnaroo buzz-band to something approaching Kings of Leon country, playing a pleasingly cross-bred rock." All Day All Night was featured in a McDonald's commercial promoting their new 24-hour breakfast menu.

''Let The Record Play''

On May 5, 2017, Moon Taxi released the single Two High, which lyrically is "a song about hope," Terndrup told Relix Magazine. "Hope for understanding, hope for acceptance, and hope for our future. We were inspired by the simple and universal peace sign." In September 2017, the band signed with RCA to release their upcoming album. Terndrup also credited the 2017 Women's March as an inspiration for Two High. The song was featured in the 2018 Jeep Compass commercial "Snow." Two High hit number three on the Adult Alternative Songs chart and number one in Triple A airplay.

On November 17, 2017, the band and RCA Records announced a fifth LP to be released on January 19, 2018, Let the Record Play, and also released a single of the same name. The album would be mixed and produced by guitarist Thompson and feature ten tracks. Although the band had been signed to RCA, the album was finished before the signing. On December 20, Moon Taxi announced a "Let The Record Play" tour, playing around the U. S. in February 2018. A separate "Good as Gold" tour happened in fall 2018.

''Silver Dream''

On April 18, 2019, Taxi was announced as the opening act for Day One of the 2019 NFL draft, located in Nashville. A day later, the band released two singles, "Now's the Time" and "This World".

On March 25, 2020, the band released a single, "Hometown Heroes", an electropop influenced song that reflected on the band's journey as a musical group and as a group of friends. Taxi also announced their sixth studio album, Silver Dream, for which Hometown Heroes will be the lead single. On August 21, the band released the second single from Silver Dream, entitled "Light Up". Silver Dream was released on January 22, 2021.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Live albums

EPs

Singles

References

References

1. (May 23, 2015}}{{dead link). "Cargo Live at Peak Hotel Moon Taxi".
2. (January 22, 2016). "Nashville-based Moon Taxi returns to Knoxville". UT Daily Beacon.
3. (March 25, 2020). "Moon Taxi Unveils Nostalgic 'Hometown Heroes,' Signs With BMG: Exclusive".
4. (11 September 2017). "Moon Taxi Signs to RCA Records - Music Connection Magazine".
5. (September 11, 2017). "Moon Taxi Inks Deal With RCA Records". Music Row Magazine.
6. "Moon Taxi Performance: "Year Zero"".
7. (16 January 2014). "Moon Taxi "The New Black" 01/15/14". CONAN.
8. (2018-03-13). "Moon Taxi on Jimmy Kimmel Live – "Two High"". full in bloom.
9. (May 31, 2017). "Moon Taxi's Trevor Terndrup Talks Dylan Fest, New Music & His 'Out of Body Experience' at Bonnaroo".
10. (December 7, 2015). "Moon Taxi has come a long way since Vestavia talent show". Birmingham Magazine 1.
11. (August 21, 2015). "Moon Taxi talks Birmingham origins, new album, upcoming Huntsville show at Three Caves". Birmingham Magazine 2.
12. (January 21, 2016). "Music: Moon Taxi: Nashville band paid its dues at Knoxville venues". Knoxville News Sentinel.
13. (May 31, 2017). "Moon Taxi a Part of Stellar Sunday Lineup at Bunbury". Cincy Music.
14. (October 8, 2012). "Next: Moon Taxi". KUOW.org.
15. (26 May 2010). "Moon Taxi: Hangout Festival - Saturday". Creative Loafing Tampa.
16. (7 January 2011). "Wakarusa 2011 Initial Lineup". Breakfast On Tour.
17. (10 June 2010). "Moon Taxi: Summer Tour". [[JamBase]].
18. (4 June 2013). "Moon Taxi Performs Young Journey On Ferris Wheel At Hangout Music Fest".
19. (20 May 2010). "Hangout Festival 05.14-05.16". JamBase.
20. (April 23, 2014). "Moon Taxi's 'Morocco': Watch the Nashville buzz band's new video here".
21. (April 8, 2014). "Umphrey's McGee and Moon Taxi Kick Off Masters Week In Augusta (A Gallery)". Relix.
22. (9 April 2009). "New Mastersounds: Tour w/ Logic". JamBase.
23. "Moon Taxi Cabaret".
24. (June 12, 2014). "Moon Taxi builds fan base with extensive touring and festival appearances". Axs.
25. "Moon Taxi On World Cafe".
26. (July 29, 2014). "Indie rockers Moon Taxi land at StudioA". USA Today 2.
27. "KNPB Presents Cargo Live at Whitney Peak Hotel -- Moon Taxi".
28. (September 19, 2013). "Exclusive Song Premiere and Interview: 'Morocco (Drigs Remix),' Moon Taxi".
29. (September 3, 2013). "Moon Taxi sends 'Mountains Beaches Cities' into orbit". USA Today.
30. (November 24, 2015). "Moon Taxi's 'live' sound showing results". Cincinnati.com.
31. (October 23, 2015). "Moon Taxi: Daybreaker".
32. "Moon Taxi Shares 'All Day All Night' Video".
33. (May 5, 2017). "Song Premiere: Moon Taxi "Two High"". Relix 2.
34. (22 January 2018). "Exclusive: Nashville Band Moon Taxi Talks First RCA Album, 'Let The Record Play'".
35. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHEQJNrm_nQ YouTube]
36. "Moon Taxi To Release New LP Out January 19th Via RCA Records; Title Track Out Today!".
37. "Moon Taxi Chart History".
38. "Moon Taxi Announces New Album 'Let The Record Play' & Shares Title Track".
39. (18 January 2018). "Let the Record Play: A Q&A with Trevor Terndrup of Moon Taxi".
40. "Moon Taxi announce 2018 Let the Record Play tour".
41. (10 September 2018). "Moon Taxi Planning 10th New Year's Eve Performance in Nashville".
42. "Moon Taxi, Lindsay Ell, Ryan Hurd, Mez - and the TSU Band - Added to NFL Draft Lineup in Nashville".
43. "Listen to two new Moon Taxi songs, "Now's the Time" and "This World"".
44. (August 22, 2020). "AP&R Playlist: Groovy Psych-Punk, Haunting Anti-Pop and Emotional R&B".
45. "Silver Dream by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
46. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums".
47. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Independent Albums".
48. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Top Rock Albums".
49. "Melodica by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
50. "Live Ride by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
51. "Cabaret by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
52. "Mountains Beaches Cities by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
53. "Daybreaker by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
54. "Let the Record Play by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
55. "New Year's Eve 2015 (Live) by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
56. "Acoustic on West 56th (Live & Unplugged) - EP by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
57. "Moon Taxi - Fall Tour & Live In Austin EP". JamBase.
58. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Triple A Songs".
59. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Alternative Songs".
60. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs".
61. "Moon Taxi – Chart History: Canada Rock".
62. "Discography Moon Taxi". irish-charts.com.
63. "norwegiancharts.com - Discography Moon Taxi". Hung Medien.
64. "swedishcharts.com - Discography Moon Taxi". Hung Medien.
65. "Discographie Moon Taxi - hitparade.ch". Hit Parade.
66. "The New Black by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
67. "River Water by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
68. "Morocco by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
69. "Make Your Mind Up - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
70. "All Day All Night - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
71. "Year Zero - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
72. "Two High - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
73. {{cite certification
74. "Good As Gold (Yung Olde Mayne Remix) - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
75. "Not Too Late (Acoustic) - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
76. "Now's the Time / This World - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
77. "Restless - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
78. "Hometown Heroes - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.
79. "Light Up - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music".
80. "One Step Away by Moon Taxi on Apple Music".
81. "Say by Moon Taxi on Apple Music".
82. "Mission - Single by Moon Taxi on Apple Music". Apple Music.