Getting to Know… Mossie | Interview 🎤

For the 61^st interview in our Getting to Know… series on The Musical Hype, we get some great insight on Leeds indie rock band, Mossie. 

“We try to write music that grips the ears.” Right on, Mossie, right on! Later, during the course of the 61^st interview on The Musical Hype, we get additional insight from the Leeds indie rock band: “…You will hear some older sounds from the 70’s and 80’s running through our music and also some from the 90’s. … We want to be original and be creative, but … an influence and the music you love and listen to can subconsciously creep in there.” What more can you say but, cool? Mossie, formed in 2019, is comprised of four members: Adam Monroe (lead guitar), Adam Lavant (vocals and rhythm guitar), Ciaran Harper (drummer extraordinaire), and Brad Jennings (bass guitar). Without giving any more info about the band away here, why not read Getting to Know… Mossie: Interview #61 for yourself!

Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype (Faulkner): Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with Mossie, what would you say makes your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Mossie: We try to write music that grips the ears. When we perform, it’s all about the rock and roll. We’re there for a good time – not a long time. Maybe you should come to one of our shows and find out. . .

Faulkner: Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Mossie form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

Mossie: We formed last year in 2019 and things have been hectic ever since. We met through the local music scene saw one another play in different bands and basically stole one another from those bands to create our own, knowing that we would all want a similar vibe running through our music with similar taste. We only ever want to write songs, we’re creative, you gotta let the creative one’s create! If people listen to and enjoy our tunes, then that’s a bonus to us but we will always enjoy writing and performing.

Faulkner: Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Mossie: Not really, I mean we have come further than we expected in a short time. We sold a show out in Leeds, Yorkshire (our hometown) after just 5 months of being together and have had interest from record labels about our music already. We just wanna keep writing, keep rocking, see where we end up. For now, we concentrate on writing good tunes, that’s our aim for 2020, get some good tunes recorded and get them out there for you guys to listen to. Our newest stuff is exciting we are digging the vibe running through it.

Faulkner: Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Mossie: There are many I reckon, from different eras. You will hear some older sounds from the 70’s and 80’s running through our music and also some from the 90’s. We’re not in the game of copying people’s music we want to be original and be creative, but you are right an influence and the music you love and listen to can subconsciously creep in there. We are fans of some cool bands though so hopefully that isn’t too much of an issue some of those are Rolling Stones, Stone Roses, The Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, Ocean Colour Scene and many more, so many good bands have been and gone!

Faulkner: Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Mossie: Haha, nice question! We always love the gigs when people try to get on stage and ask us questions mid-song! We’ve played in some classy joints you see! Haha! On the way home from a gig over in Sheffield, Yorkshire, half of the band broke down once in the middle of the Pennines, just so happened the nearest sign of life was a mental hospital. . . that figures!!

Faulkner: Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?  

Mossie: I like our newest track “Outta Time.” It has a real cool bass riff running through it that’s got some groove and tends to get the heads bopping when we jam it out. That tune is due for release this summer and will be on our new EP.

Faulkner: Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Mossie: Well, you only really need to look at us to know were cool. Probably the coolest, I’d say. Writing tunes goes interestingly for us, as our lead guitarist can play bass, drums, piano among others, to a good standard, our drummer can play bass and guitar and our bassist can play guitar, we haven’t done it yet but one day, I’m sure we will switch it up on stage for a couple of songs. All musicians are a little bit left of center you should know that! Haha!

Faulkner: Closing this thing out, what is you/your band currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Mossie: We are working on our debut EP, it’s no secret, feel free to tell who you like. We’ve been working on a music video for the release of a song on that EP also. We are in the process of setting up a tour for it …lots going on! We’re currently working with Will Jackson of Soundworks Studios on that, formerly of The Kaiser Chiefs, Pigeon Detectives and Cribs, and we’re enjoying hearing his take on our music. Keep your ears to the ground for its release!!

Cheers!

*Mossie* x

Faulkner: Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Mossie