Song Premiere: The Moondoggies, “Midnight Owl”

Seattle’s Moondoggies sound like they belong to a lower latitude (and maybe a higher longitude, too). Their brand new single, “Midnight Owl” is an electric surf-rock jam, and a stride away from the acoustic Southern drawl of their past two albums. The harmonies for which the group is famous are still present, but the instrumental backing is fresh and prominent.

“Midnight Owl” is a good example of the kind of songs we write as a group, as opposed to one or two people’s ideas,” says Moondoggies’ vocalist and songwriter Kevin Murphy. “I think it was the first song that we wrote that kinda allowed Jon Pontrello to drive a section of the song on guitar. Jon and Carl came up with the beginnings of that second part and we built it off that. It also allows Carl to explore the drums in a way he hadn’t on previous records. These are my favorite kind of songs because they veer of into those instrumental moments that we all construct together while not stepping on each others toes…and I think the music does a good job of reflecting the vibe of the lyrics, it has a good spookiness.”

The Moondoggie’s third LP Adios, I’m A Ghost will be released August 13.