Moats

Moats (1:15 p.m. RetailMeNot). Members hail from working class English cities like Liverpool, and as Moats they write chips-to-the-center, sad beach rock tracks like “Toothache.” - Austin 360

MOATS were a band whose drummer had a lipstick kiss smeared across one cheek, whose frontman rocked an American football shirt with a beenie and still absolutely killed it. With an EP coming out in November, and a band member who asked me to engrave them into my heart, I was thoroughly impressed with this four piece. They ask their listeners to define genre themselves. Despite having “not really having seen each other” in four months, it was impossible to tell, as each member played to each other and a rapt audience to the very highest of standards. They made music to fit the night, worked the crowed up ready for Coasts, and once again stood toe to toe with the headline act in terms of really good music. -

Thanks for taking the time to do the interview with The Postie!

Let’s start with a quick introduction of each member of the band !(names, instrument you guys are playing… )

Nathan Price – Drums

Will Elliott – Bass

Matthew Duncan – Vocals and Guitar

James Pyrah – Guitar

MOATS-intriguing name,what’s the story behind it ?

We just like castles and love the movie « Knights Tale » we spotted a few moats in it.

You released your first Album called ‘’ Singapore’’ in 2012 on your own, right? Could you tell me more about it ? What about music labels ?

A lot of the tracks on that album we wrote with out previous band kenetics and when we decided it was the right time to change the band name we also realised it would be a great opportunity to release a debut album straight away to show people our commitment and passion towards the music we produced. We produced the whole album over an entire summer and it was very good fun. No labels we were interested in were interested in us haha.

How would you describe your music genre ? What was the inspiration for ‘’Singapore’’, and why this title ?

We’d describe our style from the singapore album as plain old alternative indie with a tinge of tropical. We believe now we’re leaning towards an a lot more of a grungey, dark edge to our music with our unrelased stuff. We went with singapore because I (Matthew Duncan) have been to the country before and it is a hot place. I also think hot is a good way to describe the fast paced music we released through this album along with the tropical, summery vibes. Also the picture on the front cover is of my mother and her father and sister in singapore.

My favourite track of the album is ‘’toothache’’ !Which one is yours ? why ?

That’s cool. For me personally (Matthew Duncan) i really like « Fortnight » as it is the most truthfull and heartfealt song on the album. The lyrics mean a lot to me.

You are a UK-based band! Does the english music culture has a big impact on your sound ?

The way in which people react to things within the U.K inspire me deaply when writing lyrics. In terms of music i’d say we are influenced by many big U.K artists as well as a lot of American artists.

Who are THE LEGENDS for you guys ?

For me (Matthew Duncan again) I love Jeff Buckley with a passion as well as Ian Curtis and Kurt. I like the dead ones i guess. They put the most passion into their music haha

Any insider- tips for this year ?

Stop smoking!

What about an european tour ?

Maybe Belgium. Would love to be funded for more places though.

Beside being musicians, what do you do ?

We’re all studying at University at the same time.

Most hated dish ever ! Which one is it ?

Can’t think of one i love food too much.

And last but not least ! What’d you call a perfect Friday night?

Food!! - The Postie

We've raved about Moats before, and now the four-piece are gearing up for a 2014 that'll define them as a band. The band have been going from strength to strength since releasing their début album back in 2012, and the youthful band are not holding back any new material as proven with their latest songs, live performances and demos.

We first got into Moats via their old band, and since then we've heard some amazing tracks come from them. Today I'm pleased to announce them in our Sounds of 2014 list! They've been generating quite the buzz on their local scene(s) - London, Leeds and Liverpool (they're all at university) and have already picked up a manager who can easily push them above and beyond!

If you want to get into Moats you should check their latest track "Show", which is a re-recorded version of their album track - which you can download for free here! Also check out the stripped back track "Dry" and their début track "Toothache". They're a great bunch of lads and I can see an EP on the horizon that can do them the world of good in pushing them into the spotlight. I'll see you guys soon! - It's All Indie

Student band Moats play an intimate gig in their own house.

Everything was sorted for Moats’ gig at The Shipping Forecast in support of up-and-coming indie band Pixel Fix, at least until the promoters pulled the plug on them at the last minute.

With train tickets booked for the Leeds Met-based singer Matt Duncan and bassist Will Elliott, the four-piece took a page out of The Libertines’ book and started a guerilla gig in their kitchen.

With LIPA students James Pyrah (guitarist) and Nathan Price (Drums) completing the lineup, things were appropriately raucous, with a packed crowd of students getting up close and personal just inches away from the band.

Originally formed in Biggleswade (me neither) in Bedfordshire, Moats have taken their talents northward and have been taking audiences by storm on both sides of the Pennines, with gigs at Sound City and in support of Coasts already under their belt.

The band also have a number of recordings with producer Rory Atwell who’s worked with such names as The Vaccines, Palma Violets Yuck.

Moats’ music is reminiscent of modern indie stalwarts such as Foals and the Maccabees, but in the intimate setting things feel more like a punk gig; drunk, sweaty and extremely loud.

The band utilises atmospheric guitars, strong vocals and effortless shifts into cacophonies of hard-hitting noise to create a formidable live presence.

Free of the pitfalls of live music (overzealous security, £5 cans of red stripe) there’s an element of sheer enjoyment to the gig that’s a refreshing change from the increasing corporate staleness of the standard circuit.

Best of all with a gig like this there’s no trekking to an exclusive afterparty you probably can’t get into, as from the moment the set finishes you’re already in it.

If Moats’ performance is anything to go by then a back to basics approach might be the way to rejuvenate the country’s grass-roots music scene that’s been betrayed by the increased corporatisation of major labels and TV talent shows, and given their track record there’s every possibility that the tiny crowd may just have witnessed the next big thing. - The Tab

New British band Moats won a competition in NME to appear at this year's festival, and playing a 45-minute afternoon show on the same stage as the likes of St Vincent and Belle & Sebastian could easily have fazed a lesser band. It didn't seem to trouble the four piece one bit though despite the sizable crowd, and singer Matt did his bit for the current bucket hat revival trend. - NME

See double page spread, page 12-13 on link. - Bido Lito!

Eminem, OutKast and Pearl Jam will headline this year's Austin City Limits festival.

The US festival takes place over the course of two weekends (October 3-5 and 10-12) at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Other artists confirmed to appear include Skrillex, Beck and Calvin Harris while The Replacements, Lorde, Belle & Sebastian, Interpol and St Vincent will also perform.

Joining them on the bill will be Lana Del Rey, Foster the People, Childish Gambino, Chromeo, Chvurches, Major Lazer, Phantogram, Real Estate, Jagwar Ma, Mac Demarco, Temples and Jenny Lewis. Scroll down for a full list of the artists confirmed for this year's event.

Also on the bill will be UK band Moats (pictured right), a four-piece from Biggleswade, who wonNME's recent competition offering one band or artist the chance to fly out and perform at the festival. Speaking about winning this year's competition, Moats frontman Matt Duncan said he is excited to play in the city dubbed "the home of live music".

"The great thing about Austin is the versatility," says Duncan. "You can hear anything you want almost any time you want. Music comes in many forms, and people shouldn't define themselves by genres, but rather by good music - which comes in all forms. Austin recognises that, and to be a part of it is great." - NME

Eminem has been confirmed for the Austin City Limits line-up later this year.

He will be joined on the bill for the Texas festival by Outkast, Skrillex and Calvin Harris.
The US music event takes place over the course of two weekends in October and will also feature Beck, Pearl Jam and Lorde.
The city of Austin, which also plays host to the SXSW festival, sponsored the NME Awards earlier this year.
Other acts scheduled to perform include Childish Gambino, Chvrches, Major Lazer, Jagwar Ma, Lana Del Rey and Foster the People.

According to NME, also on the bill will be UK band Moats, a four-piece from Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, who won the music magazine's recent competition offering one band or artist the chance to fly out and perform at the festival.

The band's frontman Matt Duncan said he was excited to play in the city dubbed "the home of live music".
"The great thing about Austin is the versatility," he said.
"You can hear anything you want almost any time you want. Music comes in many forms, and people shouldn't define themselves by genres, but rather by good music - which comes in all forms.
"Austin recognises that and to be a part of it is great." - BBC Newsbeat

Jack Daniel’s has launched a new music campaign titled Jack Rocks that will see the whiskey brand takeover Hoxton venue The Macbeth for four months from today (September 9).

The 150-year old live music pub will open on weekdays from 5pm, featuring live performances as well as workshops and talks from music industry insiders.

Other local and country-wide partner venues will be revealed when Jack Rocks The Macbeth shuts its doors.

The first event, taking place tonight, will see Liverpool guitar four-piece Moats perform with support from Whistlejacket and Maui.

Other names lined up include La Roux playing a show to 300 fans on September 15, fashion designer Claire Barrow DJing and hosting her London Fashion Week afterparty on September 13 and indie club night This Feeling beginning a monthly residency on October 3.

The venue is being run in association with NME and Spotify; NME staff, including new music editor Matt Wilkinson, will be working out of the venue's media room to report on the events as they happen.

Discussing the news, Jack Daniel’s senior brand manager, Michael Boaler commented, “Jack Daniel’s has a history of supporting artists and venues who share our values. From Sinatra to the Stones to exciting new talent like CuT, we want to continue a legacy that goes back decades and do everything we can to shine a light on artists and people in the wider music community who aren’t afraid to do things differently to achieve success on their own terms.

"Partnering with a live music venue with our own spin is a first for us and we’re really excited to give both up-and-coming artists and like-minded music lovers alike a place where they can listen to some inspirational stories and most importantly share some legendary music moments.” - Music Week

An indigenous foursome rocked up out of a mass movement in Liverpool back in 2013, shooting to new-found fame with tracks such as 'Show' and 'Snakepit', you may have heard of them - Moats.

Originating from multi-various places in the UK, the four lads have bags upon bags of talent waiting to burst, reminding of an early Vaccines.

After a few years hard graft, taking to the likes of Texas to perform at Austin City Limits festival (ACL), Moats announced they were to embark on an exclusive six-date tour around some of the UK's biggest cities to coincide with a brand new EP, 'Rough' - just one more to add to the other eight they have up for grabs upon their Bandcamp.

A little taster came in the shape of track, 'Hungry' - a jumped up drone of sulky guitars and rusty echoes. Dishing out a the numbing vocality, frontman Matthew Duncan provides a comatosed state of mind, fully gorging listeners into a world of soul-searching emptiness. The rich instrumental it possesses rips through any sentimentality, with commercially apt beats from Nathan Price matched with the raw decadence of harrowing chord sequences. Sown together by heavenly ripples of bass, 'Hungry' proves just how attractive a gloomy tonality has become.

Be sure to get down to one of the six dates Moats have on their upcoming tour, support comes from Manual favourites, FLESH - what more could you ask for. - The Music Manual

Now, hands up who feels pleased that they tipped Moats to watch in their preview. If you can’t guess, I had my hands up then in the pause after the full stop. Anyway, Moats produced a blinder of a set with a sound far more textured and immediate than that on record. It was as though someone had solved the mysteries of musical alchemy and added the elements of festival enjoyment into a serious sounding rock band. It was an absolute joy to watch. The kind of set that after you have enjoyed it, you share knowing nods with people to say “oh yes”. - Popped Music