Moore Like It

Tulsa has always had a love affair with Ian Moore.

Even when Moore departed from the blues-rock persona that his label built around him with his self-titled debut in 1993 and delved into a series of more adventurous and experimental records, his connection to Tulsa remained firm.

Elsewhere, some fans were confused as Moore stepped out from the more progressive vibe of Modernday Folklore (still a personal favorite) into the more psychedelic fare of Ian Moore's Got the Green Grass and And All the Colors, the stark storytelling of Luminaria and eventually, the Beatles-esque overtones of 2007's To Be Loved. Moore has always been an artist in evolution. For as many fans that lost sight of his vision just as many have been adamant and faithful fans.

Over the past few years, Moore has settled into his latest project, a band called The Lossy Coils and apparently found his comfort zone. The release of the band's new CD, El Sonido Nuevo; however, sees Moore, if not coming full circle back to his blues-rock beginnings, at least tying up all the loose ends and bringing everything together. The guitar playing is back up front and center, but doesn't overpower his storytelling or soulful vocals. And for all the bluesy overtones, Moore still retains his psychedelic undertones.

"When looking at it myself, I really have no perspective," Moore said. "I definitely know that I rediscovered the electric guitar over the past couple of years though. There's definitely more emphasis on the guitar with a wider spectrum of sounds at the core of this record."

Moore Music. Over the past few years, Moore has settled into his latest project, a band called The Lossy Coils and apparently found his comfort zone. The release of the band’s new CD, El Sonido Nuevo, sees Moore bringing everything together. The guitar playing is back up front and center, but doesn’t overpower his storytelling or soulful vocals. And for all the bluesy overtones, Moore still retains his psychedelic undertones.

When reflecting on the past few years and the evolution of his sound and songwriting, Moore said that the biggest shift in dynamics stems from his partnership with bassist Matt Harris.

"I was a big fan of his band, Oranger, from the San Francisco noise-pop scene even before we started working together," Moore said. "He and I formed this band together and, ironically, he's the one who finally got me comfortable with where I came from."

The Lossy Coils lineup truly came together in late 2007 as a quartet before slimming down to a trio format almost two years ago.

"I hadn't played in a trio for a long time," Moore said, "but this has been really cool because I'm getting more specific in what I want, especially as I get older. I think, as a young player, you want to put your signature all over everything and as you mature, you don't feel the need to do that as much.

"As a trio, we take our cues from the classic power trios like Hüsker Dü and ZZ Top, The Jam and even The Police," he said. "Everybody in the band has to be 'on' because if anyone has a bad night, we all have a bad night."

While working with The Lossy Coils, the band has simultaneously focused Moore and opened him up to let the music go wherever it may.

"I feel like my style has evolved over the years," he said. "When I was young, it was a little bit like Hendrix and had a definitely Austin signature to it. I've done a lot of living since then, though, and changed. I kind of feel like I've put it all in a big mixing bowl and this is how it comes out."

As such, it should be no surprise then that elements of each stage of Moore's career come to the surface with The Lossy Coils. There are bits of blues, The Beatles and Beach Boys in "Hillary Step," blues-rock in "Secondhand Store" and "Salt Mines" and roots-rock in "Let Me Out." Even so, The Lossy Coils still evolve into something fresh to Moore's catalogue.

"The first song that really stood out was 'Birds of Prey,'" he said. "I hear a lot of 70s stuff -- Big Star and ELO and AOR rock in it. That's when I realized we're really doing our own thing with this band."

Moore said he always wanted to have a band; he just didn't want to have his name "out front."

"Even when it was listed as just me, it was always more of a band thing than most people realized," he said. "I've always been looking for people that I have something in common with. I've been looking for that for a long time. Matt's been one of my best friends for years now and it's been great. I think if I had to start over at 18 again, I'd start with my best friends."

For Moore, a return to Tulsa is essentially a return to visit with old friends. From his days at Boston's and The Venue to the IDL Ballroom, Dfest appearances and shows at Cain's Ballroom, Moore is no stranger to our town.

"I'm excited about returning and everyone hearing the new record," he said. "And I'll be playing a guitar that Ted Bailey, a Tulsa guy, built for me. It's a beautiful guitar and plays like a dream."

Even when Moore's on tour, a little piece of Tulsa goes with him. You can't always hit the road, however, so Moore's show with The Lossy Coils this Wednesday, March 9, at 8pm. is your best chance to reconnect and experience for yourself how his music is all coming together with the current band. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.