A few years ago, Bob Moses wasn’t a name many would recognize on festival lineups. Their first two releases: All In All and Days Gone By were mostly cult classics, skating by the mainstream but not by beloved by fans.
Three years later and the Canadian duo has really started to make a name for themselves. Their minimalist, indie house blend sounds just as fitting in a yoga class as it does in a festival amphitheater. And next Wednesday, they’ll perform their latest album at Republic NOLA in our beloved New Orleans.
The duo Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance attended the same middle school, occasionally floating around the same music scene. It wasn’t until years later that they would stumble upon each other again while living in New York City. Vallance had been working with a recording company, releasing progressive hits for Sia, Chris Lake and Markus Schultz. Howie had pursued singing and was in a rock band called Coalition. They eventually moved in together, merged their love for trance and alternative rock and released their debut EP.
Six years and a Grammy win later, their sophomore album is in full swing.
Battle Lines
The Battle Lines tour kicked off in Sacramento after the album’s release earlier this September. The album spans upbeat, stadium-bred singles like “Back Down” alongside the mellow alt-rock feels of “Heaven Only Knows.” It’s the classically gentle, moody, Bob Moses sound that listeners have come to expect.
“This record is about the battles and struggles we all live through,” they stated. “It’s also about struggling to identify where those battles lines start and end, and what within us and our environments cause these struggles. It’s also about the struggle to reconcile with those things, somehow.”
It’s an emotional album, to say the least, but it’s presented in the duo’s lush arrangements and wistful lyrics.
Their live performances have gathered stellar reviews from fans and festival goers, stating their live instrumentation and performances make for a more engaging live set.
Australian group Mansonair is supporting the performance. Their standout single “Astronaut” echoes the same “dance floor chill” vibe as their headliners.
We’re excited to see what new tricks the group has up their sleeves to accompany the new album. Be sure to check them out next week when they swing through town.