Page 11 - Robeson Living

The Mood King’s “The Wonder of It All” is the album you
want on road trips where you throw the map out the win-
dow and simply enjoy the drive - letting the road rise with
the next song. It makes you take the long way home to see
where the music goes next. At the next turn, you’ll find
quiet reflection with songs like “This American Life” or
“Texarkana” and exuberant energy with the hooky rhythm
of songs like “Loretta” and “Last Wishes”.

The members of The Mood Kings are also interested in
giving back and supporting causes that are important to
them. Townsend has watched as his sister has struggled
with living with multiple sclerosis and the band knew that
the album release and subsequent shows would be a way
to honor her and help raise funds for a worthy cause. Pro-
ceeds from the album and concert sales will go to the Na-
tional Multiple Sclerosis Society. “As fans of The Mood
Kings, we are so excited and honored that they have cho-
sen to donate a portion of proceeds from sales of The Won-
der of it All to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,”
said Kristina Fransel, President, Greater Carolinas chap-
and artists they now loved, and a surprising realization they ter. “The money they contribute will support much-needed
were all in similar places in their lives. It didn’t take long services and resources for local people living with MS, as
for a guitar to come out, a melody to be sung, and a song well as the ground-breaking research we’ve pioneered for
to be created. Their goal: to enjoy playing music together decades.”
again. As the friendships were reborn, so were the jam ses-
sions that turned into songwriting weekends. Before they The album will be released June 15, 2018 and will be
knew it, they had some new songs and a new band. available in retail stores, concerts, and the band website, as
well as available for download at all digital outlets. Tick-
If a music writer was to offer up a perfect tagline to de- ets to the Boone and Lumberton shows are sold out, but are
scribe the music of The Mood Kings, it would go some- still available to the July 15 Charlotte show at the Evening
thing like: “an appealing blend of the Americana roots-rock Muse at ticketfly.com. For more information visit www.
sound with strong melodic sensibilities”. themoodkings.com.

However, if you asked The Mood Kings to describe their
music, they would say throw the entire rock catalog from
the late 60s through late 80s in a 9x11 pan, add generous
helpings of Dylan, Waits, and Petty. Bake at NIN degrees
for 45 min. Take out, top off with Sly and Prince. Cut
into Andre the Giant portions. Garnish with Springsteen.
Pairs nicely with a Sanford and Son marathon. Also good
reheated.

Working as a trio in the writing and recording process, the
band fills out their unique sound with additional musicians
in the live arena. Eschewing traditional labels of their mu-
sic, they have also made conscious efforts to play small
theatres, festivals, and performing arts venues that attract
fans that come for the music. “We are interested in our
audience, and we want them to be interested in us”, says
Schwarze. “Our hope is that we make connections with
our music.”
Robeson Living ~ Summer 2018