Known For Their Smash Single “Shut Up And Dance”, WALK THE MOON, Chats With All Access About That Song and More!

Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman and
Eli Maiman make up the pop-rock group, Walk The Moon. 

Their most recent album and second major-label collection, “Talking Is Hard” was released in December 2014 via RCA Records. It includes their biggest single to date, “Shut Up And Dance”.  

Just before they headed to play at Lollapalooza, All Access caught up with the guys of Walk The Moon to chat about their hit song, “Shut Up And Dance” and Much More! Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your time! Where does this interview find the band today? Generally, what’s a typical day like for the group?

Today, we are on a plane to New Orleans.  We’ll play there tomorrow and hop on an early flight the next morning to Chicago for the Lollapalooza festivities.  When we’re not on tour traveling by bus, we often find ourselves doing this – play a show, fly the next morning, play that night, fly the next morning, etc.  We are workaholics!

“Shut Up And Dance” has become such a mega smash! What do you think it is about the song that people love so much? Did you know that it was going to be so successful when you were creating it?

Besides a great hook and a great vocal, I think any popular song has got to have a lyric that’s relateable and emotional.  In our case, Shut Up is all about being able to let go of your worries and fears and seize the moment.  I think everybody deals with that struggle from time to time, if not throughout their whole lives.

Where did the inspiration for “Shut Up And Dance” come from? I have read that you have called it a dork anthem. Can you elaborate on that?

Lyrically the song is based on a true story, a real encounter with a girl at a club in LA.  And we call it the dork anthem because it harkens back to songs like “Jesse’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed”, these half-campy, totally awesome rock jams that spoke to the hopeless romantic in all of us.

How do you think the band has grown since your debut album, “I Want! I Want!”? What about the group dynamics?

Since the release of our indie album back in 2010, we’ve played – who knows – maybe a thousand shows.  The live part of WALK THE MOON (which we consider to be the most important) has evolved into this Godzilla of emotional dance parties.  And it continues to grow and change, because we keep striving to get better and bring it harder.

So far, what do you think has been some of the bands biggest accomplishments?

Most recently, being asked to open for the Rolling Stones was a huge milestone for us and an amazing affirmation that we are on the right track.

When you guys aren’t performing or working on new material, what do you like to do for fun? How do you wind down after a show?

Winding down is the hard part – typically when we’re in town for a show our friends want to turn it up!!  So making sure to go read a book or watch HBO or go on a hike or something – finding ways to disconnect from time to time – becomes really important on the road.

How has your Talking Is Hard tour been? Any favorite venues or crowds yet? How would you describe one of your shows to someone who has never seen you live? Where did the face painting idea come from?

The TALKING IS HARD Tour has been incredible – everything sold out, so many new faces, so many bucket list venues.  The wildest one yet is coming up actually – Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado is a place we’ve grown up dreaming just of visiting, much less playing.

What’s been a favorite memory on stage, in the studio or elsewhere?

One of my favorite memories while recording “TALKING IS HARD” is when Eli was tracking guitars for what is now our new single “Different Colors”.  We were trying to come up with weird noises, something bombastic to add to the last chorus, and our producer Tim Pagnotta shouted, “just kick the amp over!”  To my surprise Eli kicked it right over and it made this bizarre roar that we loved and kept.

How did you get started posting covers online? What have been some of your favorites? Do you plan to continue posting them?

We are inspired by so many different artists and genres that we usually find ourselves singing or fumbling through one song or another just about every day.  My favorite was probably “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths… it was Morrisey’s birthday, in his homeland of Manchester, UK, and we sang the guitar parts as vocal parts… so much fun.

What musicians have consistently inspired the group? Who would you love to work with?

Our most consistent musical influencers have been:  Talking Heads, Prince, David Bowie, Tears For Fears, and The Killers, among others.

Thanks!

Nick & WTM