Alt-Electro-Pop Band, Mansions On The Moon Reveal What Song They Can’t Get Out Of Their Heads and Why They Are Working With Lynnks Music

Mansions On The Moon released their self-titled album back on October 22nd. The alt/electro/pop band — who has collaborated with N*E*R*D, produced for Mac Miller, toured with Wiz Khalifa and Cherub and have a mixtape produced by Diplo and Benzi — is touring as brand ambassador for Lyynks Music, a new music website which empowers independent artists with a new platform to deliver a premium experience for fans.

LYYNKS MUSIC is a new application that offers artists, venues, labels and festivals, user-friendly resources to set up a channel and online store, in order to best capitalize on monetizing their brand(s) and revenue streams.

Learn more about Mansions On The Moon in the following interview:

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Ted Wendler: guitar and lead vocals

Lane Shaw: drums

Jeff Macorra: Bass

Ben Hazlegrove: keys

Can you guys remember the day that you started this band? What brought you all together in the first place?

Ben and I (Ted Wendler) started working together in Virginia Beach. At that time we were writing music together with no really plan to start a band. I guess if we had to pinpoint the exact day the band started it would have to be the day Shay Haley (of n.e.r.d.) called us saying he was digging the music we were making. We were living in Boulder, CO at the time, making music with Lane Shaw Paper Diamond (Alex Botwin). Lane organically became an integral part of the sound. After The Neptunes generously invited us to work out of their studio in VA Beach, Lane Ben and I moved into an “out of season” “fixer upper” of a beach house and Mansions on the Moon was born. – Ted W

How did your band’s name come about?

Lane’s great uncle was a Lunar real estate pioneer. In his hay day he was selling property to President Nixon, Marlon Brando and Elvis. As part of his inheritance, Lane owns much of the most desirable property on the southern half of the Kepler Crater. The band plans to develop the area when the technology becomes available. We plan on amassing considerable wealth via our Jock Jams cover band which will be used towards our Moon Mansions. – Ted W

What do you think sets this group apart from other bands?

What makes us different is our writing style. I’ve noticed a general focus on the writing of individual melodies which come together and form harmony. If we were classical composers our writing would be closer to Bach than Debussy. – Jeff M

Can you describe the sounds of your music to people that have never heard it before?

It’s difficult because the instrumentation and feel changes from song to song. Someone who first hears one of our acoustic tracks like “Time” might be surprised to hear our more poppy electronic side like “Somewhere Else Tonight”. But I think our vocal timbre harmonies and melodies provide the necessary cohesive sound that makes people ask “is that Mansions on the Moon?” No ID once said we sound like a modern day Beach Boys. That’s probably the best comparison we have. – Ted W

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Stevie Wonder, LCD Sound System, Cherub, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, Little Dragon, Michael Jackson, etc. – Everyone

Since this is a radio-based publication, I have to ask, is there anyone new that you are all enjoying now? Any radio hits that you can’t get out of your heads?

Pretty sure the entire country has “Tuesday” by ILOVEMAKONNEN (feat. Drake) stuck in their heads on repeat. – Ted W

You released your debut self-titled album not too long ago. How did that feel? How long did it take to put this album together?

It depends on how you look at it. Time was written even before Mansions on the Moon existed. While other songs like “The Truth” were written a week before the album was finished. Other ideas were formed over the course of two years. We are constantly writing and coming up with new ideas so the difficult part is choosing which ideas to focus on and complete. – Ted W

What was the inspiration for the album’s lead single, “Somewhere Else Tonight”?

The chorus is somewhat obvious and goes off the theme of wanting to get out of the mundane cultural milieu we tend to get stuck in. The bridge is meant to inspire people to look at life with the same wonder and imagination we felt as children. – Ted W

What is the songwriting process like in the band? Who does the bulk of it or is it a group effort?

We all contribute in our own ways and in all aspects of the song writing process. – ted W

You guys have collaborated with N*E*R*D, produced for Mac Miller, toured with Wiz Khalifa and Cherub and have a mix tape produced by Diplo and Benzi. What’s it been like working with all these amazingly talented people?

It’s been cool to be able to work with people we look up to. – Lane Shaw

Living or dead, who would you guys still love to work with and why?

Stevie Wonder – he’s one of the most incredible spirits and musicians that’s lived in the last 100 years – Jeff M

Tell me about touring as brand ambassador for Lyynks Music, a new music website which empowers independent artists with a new platform to deliver a premium experience for fans. How did you get involved with it?

We can’t say enough good things about Lyynks. The application is extremely powerful and flexible. You can post and alter your music in real time. Set your own price. Sell Merchandise and tickets. Its a one stop shop for artists, venues, labels, and festivals. Lane, our drummer, was part of a cattle call product testing group in Los Angeles. Everything happened from there. – Jeff M

What are some your favorite songs to perform?

“Don’t Tell”, “The Truth”, “Heart of the Moment” – anything that’s upbeat! When energy is exchanged between performers and crowd, the entire vibration of the moment can be brought to a new level. – Jeff M

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

We once saw a tiger at a gas station, were attacked by an iguana in a studio, a man pee in our keyboard case, met Paul McCartney, and were detained and searched at the Texas border. – Jeff M

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?

We are constantly striving to create better music. – Jeff M

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?

We’d like them to feel something. – Jeff M