Minor Moon, the Chicago-based cosmic Americana group led by multi-instrumentalist Sam Cantor, have an upcoming third full length album “Tethers”, out March 26th via Ruination Record Co. & Whatever’s Clever. On his newest song as Minor Moon, Chicago multi-instrumentalist Sam Cantor takes on a feeling that has become all-too-familiar over the past year: a nebulous sense of confusion and loss, most debilitating because of how difficult it is to even recognize, let alone put into words—or music, for that matter. Cantor manages that last bit admirably on “Under an Ocean of Holes,” the second single from—and the creative key to, as he explains—his cosmic country project’s forthcoming third album “Tethers”, out March 26th on Ruination Record Co. and Whatever’s Clever.
Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist Sam Cantor has released the third full-length from his cosmic Americana project Minor Moon, Tethers, via Ruination Record Co. and Whatever’s Clever. Lead single “No Lightning Fix,” which features a pair of Cantor’s Windy City peers in V.V. Lightbody and Ohmme’s Macie Stewart, arrived alongside the album’s announcement in January, while second single “Under an Ocean of Holes” in February and “Hey, Dark Ones” arrived earlier this month. Cantor drew inspiration for Tethers’ 10 tracks from an intense period of personal discovery that began with him being thrown for a loop by the end of a long-term relationship, using his music as an outlet for the powerful feelings entangled with his experiences. “Minor Moon songs have always had this arc of discovery and I’ve always used them as a way to dive into really personal, philosophical, or emotional problems,” says Cantor. “It’s about finding some truth looking inward.” We’ve praised Cantor and his collaborators for making a “sprawling and complexly arranged” album that “imbues warm Americana with an otherworldly hum” while managing to find a deep-seated joy in life’s lack of easy answers.
Having previously shared the unhurried No Lightning Fix, the band have now offered up a second taste from the album in the shape of the simmering Under An Ocean Of Holes.
So, if a healthy amount of Midwestern twang, some engaging Neil Young style grooves, eye-opening atmospherics, and warm psychedelia are up your street you should check out both asap.
Releases March 26th, 2021, All songs written and produced by Sam Cantor
Sam Cantor – vocals, electric and acoustic guitar (all), synth (3, 5) and upright piano (5)
Nathan Bojko – drum kit (all except track 5)
Michael Downing – electric bass guitar and vocals (all except track 5)
Colin Drozdoff – Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, grand piano and Prophet (all but track 5), additional synths (1, 6)
Konstantine Stebliy – lap steel guitar (all but track 5)
Additional musicians:
V.V. Lightbody – vocals (1, 2, 3, 9), flute (2, 3, 4), piano noise (5)
Macie Stewart – violin (2, 3, 4, 6, 10), vocals (3)
Nora Barton – cello (2, 3, 4, 6, 10)
Sean Mullins – percussion (all except track 8)
Alex Blomarz – tenor and baritone saxophone (2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10)
Nick Broste – trombone (3, 6)
Dorian Gehring – pedal steel guitar (5)
The Fat Angel Sings 