Interview with Donny Dykowsky of Mirrors On The Moon

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Donny - As a kid, my mother was a singer and my uncle played guitar and proselytized Zeppelin as gospel. I got my first guitar at 6 years old and never looked back. If I wasn’t making music, I’d probably be producing media of some kind.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Donny- It seems that I’m always making music of some kind. The exception is my morning meditation, which truly inspires creativity by allowing me to center myself. To be honest, most things can be meditations if you immerse yourself in the act - and being present in those moments can turn experience into ideas.

Mirrors on the Moon just released your debut song, with more music coming, how long has your band been around? Also, please tell me about the dynamic of the band of what brought you all together.

Donny - It’s a new band. Our first show was last Summer, but the launch of the single Get Lost really feels like the beginning.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

Donny - All players on the record hail from New Jersey, but I don’t think that’s influenced the sound much. We’re all heavily influenced by the British Invasion of the 60s and 70s.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Donny - I write and produce music professionally for TV/film and brands. I was working on a film called Broken Star and had written a cue called Mirrors on the Moon. I always loved that title because it seemed multi-dimensional. Plus, there are mirrors on the moon used for calculating how far the moon drifts from earth.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Donny - The most memorable show would be our first, which was at the Red Gables festival.

The stage was on the banks of a river surrounded by wildflowers and open fire pits. We closed night 3 of the festival with our set and had a liquid light show projected behind us. Also, we covered Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond, which I have to say was a highlight for me.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Donny - There were times I was busking on street corners, and others when I’ve played ballrooms. Goes without saying, there’s something memorable about every show - good or bad. But I’ve never played the Peach Festival. That seems like such a nice fit for this band.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Donny - My Morning Jacket or Claypool Lennon Delirium.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Donny -  Follow your bliss and trust your gut. Find your voice by listening to everything. Practice and don’t chase trends.

Of all of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Donny - All my songs are like time capsules that carry meaning. If I have to choose one now it would be Don’t Panic, from out debut album, it was written while I had COVID and in quarantine.

Which songs are your favorite to play, and which get requested the most?

Donny - Hands down the fan favorite is Whiskey and Wine, which will be coming out late Summer/early Fall. It has a strong hook, and there’s something mystical and jammy about the whole thing.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your

Donny - I typically write songs in the evening from my couch with an unplugged Les Paul in hand. I’ll record sketches and melodies in my voice memos app and work lyrics in Google docs. Then I’ll track everything in my studio before bringing it to the band. Next steps are getting Freddy and John in studio to track bass and drums live, then additional keys and backing vocals as needed.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Donny - There needs to be truth on these records. I’m not chasing perfection or trends. I want to make records that I would listen to as a fan of music, and songs that a listener can relate to.

Talk to us about more about the band, the songs, videos, etc. and what’s coming next that you would like to tell me and your listeners about?

Donny - The Whiskey and Wine video will be epic. The subject matter of the song has an Alan Watts quality which is quite mystical, and director/animator Rohitash Rao is creating a stop-motion universe for it straight out of a Tim Burton film.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is also on the horizon for the band?

Donny - More records, live shows and videos. Hopefully, my dog Daisy can make another appearance.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

www.mirrorsonthemoon.com