Everyone's Throwing Up Peace Signs: An Interview with MMOSS

MMOSS is a dreamy psychedelic rock band from New Hampshire. Their latest album, Only Children, is available on their bandcamp. I asked a few members some questions right after their show at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory. Luke is the guitarist. Rachel is the organist, flutist, and singer. Keven is the drummer.

Hello everybody.

Luke: Yo. Whaddap.

When did you first know you wanted to play an instrument?

Rachel: Nine years old. We had the option in school for band.

What instrument?

R: Flute.

Keven: The first time I ever heard Link Wray, I wanted to play guitar.

How old were you?

K: I was probably twelve years old.

L: Yo. Thirteen, listenin’ to a little Deep Purple, wanted to rip it up on the bass, you know what I mean?

What does it mean to play a “good show”?

R: It means when it’s over, you feel happy.

K: I think it means that everyone communicates.

R: Has a conversation.

K: And everyone’s throwing up peace signs.

L: Yep.

 What is good art?

K:  Good art is anything that makes anyone uncomfortable.

R: Anything that holds my attention.

L: Agreed.

Do you have any advice for young artists?

R: No.

K: Stop trying to imitate other artists’ work and start trying to imitate other artists’ lives.

R: Yo, I got one. Just do it.

K: Yo, Nike.

L: Don’t worry about anything. Just do what you wanna do, you know what I mean?

Is there anything else you wanna get off your chests?

R: Just do it! If you wanna do it, just do it. Nike.

K: I have one thing to say. In my opinion, the Everly Brothers are the best band that’s ever lived. That’s it.

L: Yo, this [your] high school rocks.

(To Luke) Why weren’t you smiling when you performed?

L: I wasn’t smiling?

I didn’t see you smile at all.

L: Really?

Yeah.

L:  Well, I guess there’s, uh…some things going on right now. That’s it. That’s why I wasn’t smiling.

 (To Rachel) I saw you emoting.

R: Oh, really? I’m always emoting.

Top photo by Briana Raucci.