Behind the Music: A Conversation with Mirrors on the Moon

Please introduce the band members:

The band at its core is myself, Donny Dykowsky, on vocals and guitar, Freddy Pastore on bass, John Hummel on drums, and Dave Archer on keys.

How did Mirrors on the Moon come to be? What was the inspiration behind its creation, and how did you come together as a band?

My current day job is primarily composing and producing music for films and brands. “Mirrors on the Moon” was the name of a composition that always stuck with methere’s something 3 dimensional about it. So 2 years ago when I was gearing up to release new music, I needed a project/band name. MOTM seemed very fitting for the tone of these songs. Now, it’s taken on a life of its own.

Your latest single, December Blues, feels like the perfect track for the season. Can you share what inspired the song and its unique blend of emotions?

My intent wasn’t to write a holiday tune. December Blues was actually inspired by a prompt from a songwriting club I belong to, and once I started strumming the augmented chord from the top, things fell into place fairly quickly.

How did the process of recording December Blues differ from your previous music? Were there any unique challenges or surprises along the way?

Like all other MOTM releases to date, this song was recorded at my production studio, The Ski Team. My first demo was tracked in October of this year, and the biggest challenge was recording and releasing this song with a full band for a December release. The band was tracked live the last week of November, and my twin 10-year old daughters sang backing vocals.

What kind of listener do you hope connects with December Blues? Is there a particular message or feeling you want to convey to those hearing it for the first time?

I hope anyone who hears this song can find comfort in it. There’s lots of soul to the performance, and the lyrics transcend the holiday season.

With the holiday season being such an integral part of December Blues, do you have any personal holiday traditions or memories that influenced the song or its lyrics?

Not really, but the holiday blues are a real thing that I’ve felt many times over.

Do you see yourselves continuing to explore holiday-themed music in the future, or do you consider December Blues more of a standalone piece in your career?

This is probably a standalone piece.

Do you prefer creating in the studio or performing live? How does each environment influence your creativity and the final sound of the music?

The studio is my natural habitat, but I love performing live- there’s nothing safe about it. Anything can happen. The band can stretch the songs and improvise along the way.

Donny, as both a producer and a musician, how do you balance your dual role when creating music for Mirrors on the Moon?

Producing music has made me a better musician. I can be objective and kill my darlings. And these songs aren’t chasing trends. With this lineup, I aim to capture truth in the performances as well. Hopefully that all comes across.

Given the diverse musical backgrounds within the band, how do you collaborate to ensure each member’s voice is reflected in the final product?

I trust these players to do their thing. When I’m editing and producing, I can cherry-pick certain bits and nudge the band to lean this way or that, but overall we intuitively play in a similar pocket.

Do you have a favorite track or moment from your catalog that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out for you?

I’m especially proud of my girls singing on December Blues. It’s the first record they’ve appeared on, but they’re no strangers to the arts. Both of my daughters are accomplished musicians and theater kids.

How do you envision Mirrors on the Moon evolving in the coming years? Do you have any specific goals for the direction of the band, whether creatively or commercially?

I’m grateful to have these players on my team to help bring these songs to life. We do have a song in the forthcoming A24 movie “Friendship” starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, so hopefully that leads to more placements and better live shows.

How would you describe the chemistry and dynamics within Mirrors on the Moon? How does it impact the creative process when you're all working together?

I typically bring demos to the band that we then flesh out in a rehearsal. If things click, we’ll throw it in the live set or as with December Blues- just hit the studio and record it. As for the dynamics- we were all weaned on a similar pedigree of music, so there’s a shorthand as to where things should sit in a mix, or how things should be played.

Looking back at your musical journey so far, what’s been the biggest turning point for Mirrors on the Moon, and how has it shaped where you are today as a band?

Releasing Whiskey & Wine was kind of a turning point. That song really ticked up the streaming metrics, playlist adds, etc. It’s fulfilling to know that we’re reaching people and becoming a part of the soundtracks of their lives.

Is there something you would like to say that I didn't cover?

Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season!