Moon Panda Talk New Album, Songwriting And More

Who is in Moon Panda, how did you meet and what do you play?

Moon Panda started as me (Maddy) and Gustav but has now expanded to our friends Josh, and George. We met Josh at college in Boston. He was our original drummer and after years of moving around and having different drummers in different cities, we always missed him. And we met George while we were living in Brighton, UK. These guys are our music soulmates. So lucky to be working together.

What is your earliest musical memory?

My dad had Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” on cassette that starts with the same song. When he popped that in while we were driving, on the poor stereo, felt like a high at the time.

When did you begin songwriting?

I kinda always wrote poems or sang to our farm animals but started seriously writing and performing at 16.

One of your tracks is the single ‘Lost World’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It’s about living in this in between space where you feel like your life is about to change. Before you’ve accepted it but you know you can’t go back.

Your third album ‘Dumb Luck’ will be released on 3rd October 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

This time we wanted to take our sweet time and allow ourselves to revamp and change songs several times before recording them. Songs tend to change so much the more you play them live so we did that first this time around.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded it at our home studio in San Diego and it stared out being produced by Adam Thein but he got whisked away for a world tour with Djo (poor fella) so then our in house wizard George Godwin took over and brought it home.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Our son, who was like 9 months to 1 year old when we did a lot of recording was always meandering into the studio and grabbing the egg shaker so for Butterknife we put him up to the mic and let him go crazy. The shaker at the end of Butterknife is him! Boys got pocket!

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

For vocals we used an EV RE16 that really built in a slightly vintage vocal tone, the space echo, and tape machines. And a lot of things we re-amped through a 4 track.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

A) Butterknife B) Superstore C) The Light

Was it a difficult album to write?

There were times it was difficult to find what we wanted to say. But that’s just how it goes. Sometimes there’s nothing and then suddenly it pours out.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To connect lyrically or emotionally with someone in the audience and to have felt it and been in it ourselves too.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Space echo, Tc Helicon voice live 3 , 17 inch istanbul agop xist dry dark high hats, Coles 4038, Empress tape delay

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

We’re all from different places – LA, San Diego, Bristol UK, and Haslev Denmark. Sooo sprawling, sunny, creative, laid-back, flat

How do you look after your voices?

Before every show we all lean in close and yell “mom!” to warm up and that’s about it

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Ah geez I don’t know. Maybe Jenny Slates autobiography Little Weirds. Love the wonky and wonderful prose. It’s poetic and poignant and crass in a way you don’t often see jumbled together.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I just asked the band to each name a musical influence and after 30 seconds of complete silence I got: Brian Blade, Damon Albarn, and Nigel Godrich. We’ve been listening to and can recommend Sault, Still Woozy, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Tom Misch, Benny Sings, Willie Nelson, Skinshape to name very few.

Do you have any live dates in UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

We wish! We’re focusing a little more on the US at the moment but maybe in 2026 we’ll get over there.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We wanted it to feel really intimate and nostalgic so we used an old camcorder and did a lot of candid footage that felt like an old home movie. It was a team effort but was led by our guy George Godwin who is a bit of a production wizard.

Who created/designed the album artwork?

It’s been a combo of photography by the epic Ricky Bantog and illustration by the talented Andrew McGranahan.

What makes Moon Panda happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy: a good groove, sunshine, coffee breaks, dogs, good quality 1/4inch and XLR cables, hanging plants, yerba mate, being outside, true love, tape delays.

Unhappy: when tape delays don’t work, running out of yerba mate, close minded people, bad cables