Whether they're tearing up a trailer at UCI's Acrobatics Everyday, touring small venues throughout Southern California, or taking their dogs out for a day at the park, the members of Moon Pearl know how to have a good time. Its roster is large and fluctuating, but the majority of the band members (Matthew Towles, Katie Tilford, Paul McEldowney, Michael Mermelstein and Sam Farzin) come together for a band meeting…and a dog playdate.
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Although Katie, Paul and Michael have been playing together in Moon Pearl for the past several months, this is the first time that their dogs have met.
Michael's chihuahua-terrier Coco, Paul's puppies Max and Sandy and Katie's unleashed Riley tend to match their owners' personalities; it's easy to match each dog to its musician. Riley is small, adorable, and often happy; Paul's dogs have constant sleepy eyes and big smiles; Michael's Coco is brimming with an energy that can only be described as “shaka.” Everyone at Citrus Ranch Park, dog or human, is a chill bro.
The core of the group, Sam Farzin, arrives late and dog-less.
“Aw, you didn't bring Mohammed?”
“Nah, he's at home.” Mohammed is Sam's younger brother and “the closest thing I have to a pet.”
Sam is the only member of Moon Pearl who has never had a pet. (Except for beta fish–and those are barely even fish!) Still, he gets a few pets, a few cuddles, and even manages to plop his hat on Riley's head.
OC Weekly (Rebecca Aranda): What kind of music do you think your dogs would listen to if they had the ability to purchase music and discern their tastes?
Paul: “Max would definitely listen to reggae. He's just that laidback. Sandy…I'm not sure.”
Paul: “Max would definitely listen to reggae. He's just that laidback. Sandy…I'm not sure.”
Do you think your dogs would like going to one of your shows?
Michael: “Coco would probably whine the whole car-ride. She whined for most of the way here; probably thought she was headed to the vet. But she's pretty happy to be here with us right now. I feel like once she got to the show, she'd be really into it.”
Michael: “Coco would probably whine the whole car-ride. She whined for most of the way here; probably thought she was headed to the vet. But she's pretty happy to be here with us right now. I feel like once she got to the show, she'd be really into it.”
Katie: “Riley doesn't like loud noises, so I don't think he'd like us very much–we're pretty noisy. But he's just…elderly. New music wouldn't be his thing.”
Paul: “Riley is adult contemporary.”
Paul: “Riley is adult contemporary.”
If Moon Pearl was an animal, what would it be?
Matt (without hesitation): “A Lisa Frank unicorn.”
Matt (without hesitation): “A Lisa Frank unicorn.”
Sam: “Or like, and this is sorta nerdy, but without the moon pearl, Link turns into a bunny. So maybe that. Link-turned-bunny, from the Zelda series. Or…or a unicorn with sparkly rainbows all over it.”
Katie: “Exactly. Lisa Frank. Like we came off a Trapper-Keeper.”
Katie: “Exactly. Lisa Frank. Like we came off a Trapper-Keeper.”
Matt, who has remained quiet for the majority of the interview, runs his fingers across the warped record that he brought along to use as a frisbee. Although he's enjoying playing with the other dogs, he doesn't have his own labrador retriever with him–she's older and a little sick.
It's a shame your dog's not feeling well…Do you think if she listened to your music, she'd feel better?
Matt: “Definitely.”
Matt: “Definitely.”
