Music
Press
Cities of Origin: Riverside, Pomona, Covina
Members: Vanessa Soto (vocals); Dana Reed (guitar); Amy Kirk (bass/vocals); Jennifer Reyes (drums)
Recent Release: Moscow (self-released; coming this summer)
Kindred Spirits: Berlin, Siouxsie and the Banshees, rainy nights, Bjork, Bauhaus, reverb-drenched guitars
Website: www.myspace.com/thisismoscow
Hop on to Moscow's MySpace page, stream a couple tracks and you'll quickly realize that they're anything but the flimsy kitsch and novelty labels that are stereotypically ascribed to numerous all-female bands far too often. The songwriting? Perfectly pensive. The musicianship? More than competent. The presentation, the passion, the allure? It's all present.
Yet, should the fact that they're lacking a Y chromosome be grounds for giving them some sort of hall pass in the music scene? Probably not so much, if you ask bassist Amy Kirk.
"Our vision is to be one of the few all-girl bands that are appreciated as simply being musicians, without the word female tacked onto the front," Kirk says, adding that the band's been influenced by and respects many all-female acts. "This is one of the biggest things that make us different. We pride ourselves in the fact that we do not fall into any stereotype associated with female rock bands nowadays."
Three-fourths of Moscow connected in 2004, though its line-up wasn't realized 'til masterful pipes of vocalist Vanessa Soto arrived last June. Affixing themselves to Russia's capital (it was an inside joke that stuck, and no . . . none of 'em have ever been there), the Inland Empire quartet launched its successful campaign to appeal to listeners' emotions, insights, dreams and thoughts. "We want to move you in some way, not just emotionally either—we like to make you dance too," says Kirk.
And don't worry about the downtrodden haze that surrounds the act's captivating compositions—these gals ain't party poopers. "It is safe to say that we all have our dark and introspective sides, but none of us are like that all the time," Kirk clarifies. "Anyone that has hung out with us knows that we Moscow girls know how to have a good time!"
Moscow at the Elks Lodge, 695 E. Foothill Blvd., Pomona. Friday, May 30.
- IE WEEKLY
Cities of Origin: Riverside, Pomona, Covina
Members: Vanessa Soto (vocals); Dana Reed (guitar); Amy Kirk (bass/vocals); Jennifer Reyes (drums)
Recent Release: Moscow (self-released; coming this summer)
Kindred Spirits: Berlin, Siouxsie and the Banshees, rainy nights, Bjork, Bauhaus, reverb-drenched guitars
Website: www.myspace.com/thisismoscow
Hop on to Moscow's MySpace page, stream a couple tracks and you'll quickly realize that they're anything but the flimsy kitsch and novelty labels that are stereotypically ascribed to numerous all-female bands far too often. The songwriting? Perfectly pensive. The musicianship? More than competent. The presentation, the passion, the allure? It's all present.
Yet, should the fact that they're lacking a Y chromosome be grounds for giving them some sort of hall pass in the music scene? Probably not so much, if you ask bassist Amy Kirk.
"Our vision is to be one of the few all-girl bands that are appreciated as simply being musicians, without the word female tacked onto the front," Kirk says, adding that the band's been influenced by and respects many all-female acts. "This is one of the biggest things that make us different. We pride ourselves in the fact that we do not fall into any stereotype associated with female rock bands nowadays."
Three-fourths of Moscow connected in 2004, though its line-up wasn't realized 'til masterful pipes of vocalist Vanessa Soto arrived last June. Affixing themselves to Russia's capital (it was an inside joke that stuck, and no . . . none of 'em have ever been there), the Inland Empire quartet launched its successful campaign to appeal to listeners' emotions, insights, dreams and thoughts. "We want to move you in some way, not just emotionally either—we like to make you dance too," says Kirk.
And don't worry about the downtrodden haze that surrounds the act's captivating compositions—these gals ain't party poopers. "It is safe to say that we all have our dark and introspective sides, but none of us are like that all the time," Kirk clarifies. "Anyone that has hung out with us knows that we Moscow girls know how to have a good time!"
Moscow at the Elks Lodge, 695 E. Foothill Blvd., Pomona. Friday, May 30.
- IE WEEKLY
Discography
we have one album out, which is self titled. it contains 9 songs and is about 50 min. long
Photos
Bio
"Created against a backdrop of Vanessa Soto’s ghostly vocals and the saturation of Dana Reed’s chilling guitar riffs, Moscow deliver a haunting sense that is tied together by Amy Kirk’s precision bass lines and the soothing powerhouse drumming of Jennifer Reyes. Reminiscent of dark Americana found somewhere in the depths of Salem, Massachusetts but solidly grounded in the sophisticated way of Los Angeles musicians.
Moscow would not have been likely candidates to be pegged with the Riot Girrrl name associated with girl bands of the 90’s but more so of the smart, intelligent bands from Manchester of the same era. Introducing vast rock textures soaked with reverberated distortion, Moscow’s obvious influences are aptly paid due homage.
To get a more comprehensive sense of Moscow, one would have to either see them live or hear their newly released self-titled record. But of course if those are not feasible options, one could garner the same sense by reading something as sexy as the Marquis de Sade while listening to Bauhaus and sipping a deep, dark red wine on a crushed velvet sofa." -Richie Rodriguez
Moscow has been playing for almost two years and has played all over the LA/IE/OC area. They have a recent full legnth album that will soon hit the local record shops. With their growing following moscow feels they are ready to take over the world. They are career minded musicians that are looking for the right label to help carry them to where they want to go! please feel free to visit their other website at www.myspace.com/thisismoscow with additional pictures, show listings, and comments from their fans!
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