EMQ’s With LUNAR
EMQ’s With LUNAR
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time from USA Progressive Metallers, Lunar. Huge thanks to their Drummer and Songwriter, Alex Bosson, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Alex Bosson. I’m the drummer and primary songwriter for the band. The band started just over 10 years ago founded by myself and my good friend Ryan Erwin who played guitar and sang. We did a debut EP and then added Ryan Price on bass, Chandler Mogel on main vocals, and Brian Lewis on growl vocals, all of whom are still with the band. Ryan Erwin passed away after the first album, “Theogony,” and we’ve cycled through quite a few guitarists since then. Now we’re about to release our 4th full-length album, “Tempora Mutantur.”
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s nothing that deep. We wanted something that sounded cool and moon-themed and came up with Lunar. I wish there was a cooler story behind it, but there isn’t.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We’re from the United States. Most of the members live in different regions of Northern California. I think there’s a great scene here! There are tons of musicians of all different genres, so there’s bands coming out of this area for sure. And major tours are always coming through the Sacramento or San Francisco areas, so there’s never a shortage of good shows to see.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The new album is called “Tempora Mutantur” and comes out this Friday (1/31/25). We’ve released 4 singles from the album so far and all have accompanying videos to go with them.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Songwriting and music creation-wise, I don’t think it’s any secret to anyone who listens to Lunar, that the biggest influences have been Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson. For me personally as a drummer, I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from Marco Minnemann, Mike Portnoy, and Martin Lopez. I really like to study music, so to speak, when I listen. I try to find influence and ideas in anything I listen to.
What first got you into music?
I honestly don’t know what first got me into music. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t into music. I remember getting CDs of bands like No Doubt at a young age. I remember doing little living room performances for my family of, like, Disney musicals at really young ages. I always had the idea in my head that when I grew up I wanted to be a “Rock star” even though I didn’t get my first drum set until I was 11. Then at 13, I started actually learning and putting in the work to be a professional musician. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do in life.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
The answer is gonna be the same as my biggest influences… haha! I would love to collaborate with either Miakel Akerfeldt or Steven Wilson (or both). I would love to have either of them act in a producer-type roll for a future Lunar album. Or I would also love to drum for some material that they wrote.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
ProgPower USA is high on the list for me. It seems like one of the best festivals that showcases the type of music that we do. Seems like it would be a professional, fun show with the best chance to connect to the right audience.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
“Thank you!” The biggest message I can give to Lunar fans is a thank you. I write this music because it’s in my heart and I, likely, always will., but the feeling when I know there are people at all corners of the globe that connect with it, and enjoy it…. There aren’t words for me to express what that means to me.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Hmmm… tough question. Maybe Jimi Hendrix. I’d be curious to see what weird and innovative stuff he could create with modern-day music technology and production.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy the writing process a lot. And I especially love the finished product of a record. When the thing that started as an idea in my head comes fully to fruition, it always gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s so cool to hear it and never gets old to me. However, I also hate that aspect because then my busy mind says “Well, that project is done… what are we gonna do now?” hahaha! Chandler says I’m like a machine with it because I just jump right to the next one. This 4th album hasn’t even been released yet, and I already have the rough demos and lyrics done for album number 5.
Also, other things that fall in the hate column of being a musician: how expensive every aspect of it can be, how thankless it can be, especially as a professional and having your job treated as a “hobby” from some people, and lugging around heavy gear.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Probably the payout and structure of streaming services. The musicians involved certainly don’t get their fair cut of that and the industry is going to suffer for it. We will lose out on music in the world because so many smaller musicians will quit and give up from the financial burden of what it costs to produce a record and then not getting any return on that investment.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Crimson II” by EDGE OF SANITY. An epic 43-minute single-song album that is a prog metal masterpiece! I first heard it around the time it came out in 2003 (I think), and it’s one I can still revisit any time and just be completely enthralled and transported back to that time of my life.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Each one has its benefits I think. Certain albums were made for vinyl and sound drastically better in that format. Cassettes are cool collector’s items. CD’s, along with the other 2, have the benefit of physical media. I personally grew up on CDs and there’s something special about having the full package with the artwork, lyrics, and liner notes… being able to hold it in your hand. That will always reign supreme to me. However, downloads are, obviously, the most convenient.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
It wasn’t this band, but, for me personally, probably the Mad With Power Fest in 2023. Great music, atmosphere, crowd, venue, bands, people… everything was perfect! This band has yet to perform live, but that will change in April of this year at the Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, and hopefully, that will be my new answer to this question.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I have no idea. Haha! It’s what I’ve always wanted, as I had mentioned before. With how my brain works I would probably need to do something with numbers and patterns. Something maybe like accounting or data entry.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Mikael Akerfeldt, Steven Wilson, the ghost of Freddie Mercury, Dan Swano, and Mike Portnoy.
What’s next for the band?
Album release on Friday, which we’re excited about to hear what everyone thinks! Then, as I mentioned before, in April we’ll be making our live debut up in Vancouver. After that maybe another festival appearance here and there and we’ll work on the next album.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Bandcamp (to listen and purchase): https://www.lunarbandofficial.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3amVYNRjbhJT8aaRJG31wT?si=k83eYJ7rSzCgCAmNd7uflA
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, X, Youtube): @lunarbandofficial
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?
Hahaha! I have no idea…. This seems like the correct answer must be one you don’t expect… so I’m going to say a Muffin…?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I don’t think so. Thank you so much for having me for this interview! And thank you to everyone that reads it and listens to the new album!!
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