Nashville stygian indie rock band Dark Moon Lilith returns five years after their last original EP release, Occultation, with their new esoteric and moody experience, "Eclipse."
Dark Moon Lilith is a band that is as intricate in their music and aesthetic as they are in how they present themselves in everyday life. Inspired by the wide and boundless world of astrology, witchcraft, and the occult, Dark Moon Lilith looks to further extend these esoteric narratives with their tenebrous indie rock-metal soundscapes with their new single, "Eclipse."
"I’d like to think because of the cyclical nature of life that we’re always shedding past versions of ourselves and being reborn. You know these things can be uncomfortable and painful, like growing pains. However, when we reach the other side we are a totally new person. This really felt like the most fitting single to usher in a new era." - Tara James (vocalist/songwriter/guitar)
Inspired by a mysterious film script found in the attic of their new home, the new single is more than just a track describing an event that happened in their lives. "Eclipse" marks not only their first musical venture in five years but for a band that is consistently shedding and learning something new about themselves with each process, "Eclipse" is that step forward and embracing something that is transformed and reborn from experience.
What started Dark Moon Lilith? What is the story behind your band name? It's quite interesting.
Tara James: Thank you! We’re really into astrology and witchcraft/the occult, so I wanted something that represented that as well as a deeper metaphorical meaning. Dark Moon Lilith is a play on the astrology term Black Moon Lilith, which is the furthest point of the moon’s orbit around the earth, when the moon is dark and the most isolated. We also refer to new moons as dark moons. The female spirit known as Lilith is also a huge inspiration in the band name. Representing equality for the feminine as well as honoring and indulging in the darker parts of the human psyche. Lilith represents our shadow selves, a dark animus.
What are your musical interest? You guys almost have nostalgic early dark 2000s indie rock/metal vibes. Is that accurate to say? What musical interests did you want to reflect in your new single, "Eclipse?"
Tara: Yeah, you know we were both teenagers in the middle early 2000s and very influenced by that stuff as well as 90s rock and grunge. The dark element is definitely something that transcends all of our songs.
Mathew: The darkness is very much authentically us.
It's been nearly five years since your last original release. How was going into this process different this time around?
Tara: When we released our first EP Occultation we were still learning the new scope of the music industry these days. We both came from a MySpace era where getting music out on social media was a totally different thing.
Mathew: We really knew next to nothing about modern-day music promotion. We knew how to make the music and the content, but that was about it. We’ve since released a couple of cover singles between then and now and have gotten a much better scope of this strange new world. Things change very quickly too! For instance, we’re making a lot more video content now, than we did back in 2017!
Tara: We’ve come back much stronger and prepared this time around.
Mathew: We’re on our toes!
This new single, I feel it's more than just a new single for the band, I think it marks the start of something new. "Eclipse" lyrically takes a look at losing one's former self. What made you guys want to tap into that for this Dark Moon Lilith's new single? It's a song that takes on multiple meanings, both personally and in the career.
Tara: I’d like to think because of the cyclical nature of life that we’re always shedding past versions of ourselves and being reborn. You know these things can be uncomfortable and painful, like growing pains. However, when we reach the other side we are a totally new person. This really felt like the most fitting single to usher in a new era.
What have you guys taken from this experience as an artist? What are you wanting listeners to take from this experience? I know when you write something, people will automatically have their interpretations of things, but if you could share one thing you would want listeners to take from this, what would it be?
Tara: I want people to know that if they’re in an uncomfortable, challenging situation they will make it through, and they are not alone. I’ve been there too and there is hope on the other side. Sometimes the pain is healing you and changing you, and it’s all for the best.
What is next for you guys?
Tara: It’s full steam ahead!
Mathew: We’re going to be crazy busy! The good news is you probably won't have to wait 5 years before you get original songs from us again.