Half Moon Run
By Jerry SchustermanFolk bands seem almost commonplace these days, with imitators of popular acts like Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers popping up everywhere you look. But Half Moon Run manages to stay ahead of the pack byblending familiar elements with their own unique approach to create a sound that is both instantly recognizable and completely singular.Half Moon Run was formed in 2010 in Montreal and is comprised of lead singer Devon Portielje on guitar andpercussion; Conner Molander on guitar and keyboard; Dylan Phillips on drums and keyboard; and multi-instrumentalist Isaac Symonds on percussion, mandolin, keyboard and guitar.Half Moon Run released their debut album Dark Eyes in Canada through Indica Records in 2012. They were soon signed by Glassnote Records, who released their album internationally in 2013 with the addition of a new song, titled “Unofferable.”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIuczvey7WgThe songs on Dark Eyes are anchored by Portielje’s rich vocals, but the other band members aren’t relegated to their instruments. Half Moon Run’s songs are defined by the combination of intensely beautiful harmonies and oftentimes subtle yet richly layered instrumental tracks.The album opens with “Full Circle,” a rousing anthem featuring a pounding drumbeat underneath delicate guitar lines and vocals that speak poignantly of pain and addiction. “Call Me in the Afternoon” moves things along nicely with hopeful-sounding instrumentals punctuated intermittently by searing harmonies, and “Need It” adds a slow, romantic touch to the album as Portielje and his bandmates croon over a lover in the night. Dark Eyes is rounded out by “21 Gun Salute,” a track that skillfully displays some surprising electronic components.[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/51060526" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]The members of Half Moon Run have said that they didn’t know each other well prior to forming the band and that they aren’t particularly close even now, but that distance doesn’t stop them from crafting intricately-detailed music, where every band member plays a precisely-defined part but still manages to sound totally in sync with everyone else.This especially comes across in the band’s live shows. Half Moon Run performances are typically intimate affairs, with set-ups ideal for showcasing the delicate arrangements which they play so well.You can feel a real musical connection between Portielje, Molander, Philips and Symonds as they build off of and support each other both vocally and instrumentally. Despite the complex beauty of much of Half Moon Run’s instrumentation, it’s their crystal clear voices that really take center stage at their shows, leaving no doubt about their raw technical skill.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y3UaTEx9WYHalf Moon Run has toured with acts like Of Monsters and Men, Mumford & Sons and Metric, played music festivals across the globe to great critical acclaim and the band’s currently touring internationally in support of their debut album.Hailed by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons as “one of the most important bands debuting an album this year” and “progressive without being pretentious,” Half Moon Run is truly a delight for the ears. Don’t be surprised if you see them dominating the indie folk field in the next few years.