We recently had the opportunity to interview Idaho-based band Audio Moonshine. Their new album, The Speakeasy Sessions, is now available.

Let’s break some ice. Who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?

MY NAME’S JAKE RANSOM, I’M THE WRITER AND CREATOR OF AUDIO MOONSHINE. WERE FROM BOISE, ID. OUR STYLE OF MUSIC IS A BLEND OF CLASSIC ROCK, 90’S ALTERNATIVE ROCK, COUNTRY, AND IDAHO ROOTS ROCK.

What’s the music scene like in Boise? What separates Audio Moonshine from the rest of the local scene?

ITS GETTING BETTER, LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE CREATING MORE FESTIVALS AND REASONS TO VISIT OUR SMALL TOWN. (TREEFORT MUSIC FEST.) AUDIO MOONSHINE’S MEMBERS ARE ALL VETS THAT HAVE BEEN PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY FOR THE BETTER PART OF 20 YEARS. I’D SAY PROFESSIONALISM AND OUR CONSTANT EFFORT TO BE AWESOME LIVE SEPERATES US.

How long has the band been together and brought each of you into this unit

AUDIO MOONSHINE FORMED 6 YEARS AGO. THE BAND STARTED FROM 3 SEPERATE TOURING BANDS ALL DECIDING TO COMMIT TO THE MOONSHINE

What influences your styles? What motivates you to keep going?

I GREW UP LISTENING TO CLASSIC ROCK IN MY PARENTS CAR. I GRABBED MY FIRST GUITAR IN THE 90’S AND LEARNED TO PLAY EVERY “GRUNGE” RECORD I COULD GET MY HANDS ON. I’VE ALWAYS LOVED OLD STORY-TELLING COUNTRY MUSIC. SOMEHOW ALL OF THESE INFLUENCES CONTRIBUTE TO THE SONGWRITING. THE MOTIVATION IS THE PASSION FOR WRITING AND PERFORMING. THERE’S NO BETTER “HIGH” THAN RIDING THE ENERGY WAVE WHEN PERFORMING LIVE.

What was the last song you listened to?

I JUST PICKED UP PINK FLOYDS NEW RECORD “THE ENDLESS RIVER,” AND I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO IT QUITE A BIT. DONT KNOW WHICH SONG BECAUSE ITS A COLLECTION OF MANY SHORT SONGS AND MOSTLY INSTRUMENTALS

Has the Internet helped you connect with fans and expand your reach? Any specific challenges you have faced?

IT’S BEEN INTERESTING BEING IN THE BUSINESS BEFORE THE INTERNET. YOU USED TO DROP CD’S AND PERKS AT THE LOCAL RADIO STATIONS AND RECORD STORES. PLANNING TOURS BY TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND USING ACTUAL MAPS TO NAVIGATE. THE INTERNET HAS ITS PROS AND CONS WITH MUSIC, IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU HAVE FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD BECAUSE THAT KIND OF DISTRIBUTION WAS NEVER AVAILABLE BEFORE. NOW IF WE GET THE WORLD BACK TO BUYING SONGS AGAIN.

What can listeners expect from The Speakeasy Sessions? What separates this project from everything else you have worked on?

ITS A COLLECTION OF SONGS WE FEEL YOU CAN LISTEN TO FRONT TO BACK. ITS MUSIC FOR BARBEQUES AND PARTIES. ITS MUSIC YOU CAN LOSE YOURSELF IN WHILE DRIVING YOUR CAR AND GET A SPEEDING TICKET. WE REALLY TRY TO CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE BY TALKING ABOUT REAL LIFE SCENARIOS. THIS IS OUR 2ND PROJECT SO I FEEL WITH EACH PROJECT WE GET BETTER.

What’s next for Audio Moonshine?

TRYING TO GET OUR NAME OUT THERE, MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS AND FANS, AND TRY AND GET SOME FUNDING FOR THE NEXT PROJECT. BACK TO WRITING AND CREATING, OUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING A MUSICIAN

Where can we connect with you? Stream your music?

YOU CAN STREAM THE ENTIRE ALBUM ON SPOTIFY. AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON ITUNES, CDBABY AND OUR WEBSITE

www.audiomoonshine.com
audiomoonshinemail@gmail.com

Any last thoughts? Shout outs?

THANKS FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH AUDIO MOONSHINE. I REALLY HOPE THE MUSIC SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. CHEERS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!