Culture
Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons Headed to Jackie O’s Taproom
By: Natalie Colarossi
Posted on:
In the midst of a widespread U.S. tour, local act Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons will return to Athens Saturday, September 9 to rock an outdoor show at Jackie O’s Taproom kicking off at 6 p.m.
Following the release of their 2016 sophomore album, Homemade Vision, the Columbus-based group has been gaining traction throughout the states with over 120 shows throughout the past year.
From Ohio to Colorado, the Howlin’ Moons have been travelling frequently to intimate venues and festivals, spanning their energetic Americana rock ‘n’ roll to audiences across the country.
The band formed in 2008 after Perley graduated from Ohio University and a mutual friend introduced her to guitarist Chris Connor and bassist Billy Zehnal. The three didn’t know each other well, and at first the music focused on a more acoustic/folk singer-songwriter sound.
As the group became more comfortable with each other, their musical styles started to both intertwine and expand.
“As the band kind of progressed over the years… and we’ve just gotten to know each other more, we found that all of us definitely grew up loving 60’s and 70’s rock n roll,” said Perley. “We definitely started introducing each other to bands we liked and it really started seeping into the music.”
Perley said that while she writes the bands lyrics and melodies, her familiarity over the years with Connor and Zehnal prompts her to leave a lot of space for their creative input.
“The guys have more room and freedom and we’ve just been experimenting more with the sound and having fun together,” said Perley.
Perley has been experimenting with music and art since childhood, taking an interest in violin, piano and theatre from an early age. She began writing her own music and joined her first band, The Frankies, in high school.
By the time she got to college, Perley was offered a scholarship to join OU’s theatre program. However, being the first person in her family to attend a university, she decided to take a more traditional route in her studies. She graduated with a degree in English and an education certificate.
“I didn’t think music would ever be an option for a career I could have,” said Perley. “It’s really cool to kind of let people know that it actually is a path.”
Four EPs and two albums later, the Howlin’ Moons have been met much success; including an international songwriting award for the track “Athens,” and the 2017 vote for Columbus Alive’s “#1 Local Band”.
While this year’s tour continues to focus mostly on exposing Homemade Vision, Perley said the band is currently working on some new material and hopes to start recording again this winter.
“It’s crazy how much time has just been flying by,” said Perley. “It does seem like a different lifetime when I think about my college days. But I’m definitely nostalgic for it, I had such a great time at OU and in Athens so I love coming back. As soon as we start driving on Route 33 to Athens everything just starts coming back and it feels like nothing has changed.”