Olin And The Moon

"Three Idaho boys bring their rural charm to the Los Angeles scene with a little help from a pretty face along the way. Olin and the Moon’s self-titled album is a promising start for these old friends as they attempt to stand out from the crowd they’ve chosen to surround themselves with. Drummer Marshall Vore allows the band to reside confidently in between the overtly fast and the unconsciously mellow, while singer David LaBrel shines with storytelling skills that stand up to the likes of Bright Eye’s Conor Oberst. Invoking images of a rock star retiring to the moon, “Moon Man” is like a monotone ballad version of “Ziggy Stardust.” In “Home,” the band conjures up fond memories of simple farm life protecting innocent love: “I wanna take you to the trees / Where the forest and the farm lands meet ... Where you can lay out on the grass all day / Where it is safe.” Songs like these benefit from acoustic guitar strums, heavenly bells and sweet piano undertones. Tracks like “Oh Bells” and “Song of the Summer” are focused more around the band’s own experiences on the road as musicians, referencing sound guys and getting drunk while singing. Olin and the Moon’s adolescent drive comes via David LaBrel’s brother Travis and his powerful lead guitar. His chord formations draw in ears to his trickling melodies — most notably on “Changin’“ and “Take It To Hell” — but they often overtake the songs, drowning out Erica Wheeler’s bass and David LaBrel’s vocals. Olin and the Moon desperately strive to engage listeners in music that expresses their love for the art form; with an album like this, they just might succeed. "

-Megan Clinard, Performer Magazine - Megan Clinard

"If it hadn't been for Ace of Base's "The Sign," I wouldn't be a man," Marshall Moonshine says half-jokingly of the first album he owned. "I wouldn't have facial hair, and I certainly wouldn't have a soft side."

While only ten minutes into the interview, I already feel like I've known Marshall, and the band he drums with--Olin and the Moon-- for years. Marshall's candid and sincere demeanor reflects that of the band, whose honest, heart-felt lyrics and playful alt-country sound reveals a band that is equal parts youthful exuberance and solid musicianship.

The four members of Olin and the Moon are brothers David (vocals, guitar) and Travis (guitar), Erica (bass), and Marshall. They all hail from the same town in Idaho, and are proud of their North-West roots, a point emphasized by Marshall's arm tattoo, which reads "Grown in Idaho."

"There are people from Idaho, and people that wish they were from Idaho," Erica says, recounting an Idaho adage.

From their time in other bands, including a stint in a hardcore band for Marshall and high school band for Erica, to the first incarnation of Olin and the Moon--Mr. Bone's Branches—they built a solid friendship and musical partnership in Idaho before making the move to LA. With the recent addition of Brian on everything from lap steel to harmonica, Olin and the Moon create a unique, country-tinged brand of indie rock that owes as much to Elliot Smith or Bright Eyes as it does to Neil Young and Gram Parsons.

With a two self-titled LP's currently available, and recording sesssions for a new one this summer, Olin and the Moon are moving confidently forward. Marshall says that the new album promises to be a progression of their current sound:

"We're going to add layers to our sound," Marshall observes. "We've going to incorporate piano, lap steel, harmonica, and anything else to get a bigger, fuller sound."

In LA, where the wealth of bands vying for venues and fame has made many musicians jaded, the members of Olin and the Moon manage to maintain a refreshing sense of enthusiasm.

"We love doing this, and no matter the circumstances, we will continue to do this for the rest of our lives," Marshall says. "We can always make music."

Call it naivety, but it's this optimism that is the driving force behind the band. On record, on stage, or in conversation, the members of Olin and the Moon seem possesed by an unwavering passion to create honest music, and as long as they stay the course, their audience will continue to grow.


- Hollywood Covered Magazine - Bill Dorvak

"That unpretentious humor and heart is key to Olin and the Moon’s appeal. The mellow grooves and dusty backroads feel of their songs are a throwback to the ’70s era of Laurel Canyon jams and hoot nights at the Troubadour. Imagine Neil Young and The Band’s Rick Danko communing with the ghost of Elliott Smith around a campfire, with the Avett Brothers and Conor Oberst chiming in, and you’ll get the idea."

- The Pasadena Weekly - The Pasadena Weekly

an amazing up and coming local alt-country act. Blending classic gritty country with intelligent, provoking lyrics, these guys are sure to go far

- LAist - LAist blog

Olin And The Moon springs from two young Idaho brothers who found themselves in Los Angeles, which speaks to all aspects of the band’s sound: Its pedal steel-driven twang is rooted in the heartland; its mellow gold, easy-breezy grooves are straight outta Laurel Canyon; and its very now place in this whole bullshit backwoods-country-indie-folk movement is pure L.A. artifice. But to its credit, Olin And The Moon doesn’t sound like it’s intentionally jumped any bandwagons—in fact, singer David LaBrel’s quavering, querulous voice denotes a heart as easily breakable as Conor Oberst’s or even Elliott Smith’s, suggesting there’s an earnestness at the root of all that ersatz. - Decider Austin

Now, I’m new to this whole alt-country indie scene, but I’ve dabbled in it over the last couple of months. These boys have certainly done their homework in the classics, yet their lyrics and sound definitely cater to the kids these days. They remind me of a slower Kings of Leon, or at least the one Kings of Leon album we listened to a lot while working at the ice cream shop. “Call Me Up” is a little ditty that caught my ear pretty immediately. Catchy, folky, and lyric driven, it kinda sounds a little like it could be a track off the new Bright Eyes album. Don’t take that the wrong way though- this is definitely a more genuine type of music. Most of their other songs are along those same lines except for “Changin,’” which is a touch more upbeat. I’m surely gonna don my sweater and head over to check them out when they play at Emo’s on the 15th of December with ole Zookeeper, as it’s sure to be a toe-tapping brouhaha. - Loco Nunca Blog

I have been totally wearing the tunes from these boys that Maggie sent in earlier this month…I’m saving the third one for May. I REALLY like ‘em!”

- JacksonDavis, ninebullets.com - ninebullets.com

"Young guys with a big boy sound"

- Los Angeles Metromix - Metromix

"The local alt-country band leavens its expected Neil Young via Uncle Tupelo rustic rock with a well-timed sense of humor and deft lyrical detail."

- LA Times

"Young men with a big boy sound..."


- Los Angeles Metromix - Los Angeles Meromix