Emerging from the mountains of Mexico, Charlie and the Moonshine are carving out a distinctive place within the modern Americana landscape, blending Southern rock grit with cinematic storytelling and roots-driven authenticity.
Their forthcoming debut project, recorded live in the historic cultural enclave of Avándaro, captures the raw chemistry of a band embracing imperfection, spontaneity, and emotional honesty. Leading the release is the standout single 'The Evil Mary', a country-rock burner that balances nostalgic warmth with driving intensity, recalling the early energy of Kings of Leon while forging a character entirely their own.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Professor: the guitar, as a child I saw Brian May and totally fell in love with it but quickly realised that John Deacon was the soul of the band and so I focused on the bass.
ML: Guitar, I kept my CD's playing on repeat just to feel the guitar going through my ears.
SM - The Marimba, when I was a kid we traveled a lot to Chiapas (Mexico) and at parties it was common to see a marimba and I was impressed by how that instrument made everybody dance full of joy.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Professor: Queen was the first group I was really into and so, the rock world quickly opened in front of me.
ML: Classic Rock, but mostly CCR
SM - I liked different kinds of music, but as a teen/adolescent I liked intense music, maybe I was in a complicated age and I felt attracted to chaotic music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Professor: Queen, Greatest Hits the black one with the guys’ pictures on squares.
ML: Californication – RHCP
SM - The first cassette was Loose Your Illusion 2, - Guns and Roses - but only to hear Knocking on Heaven's Door again and again. But as a full album more than just a song, Adrenaline - Deftones.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Professor: Holding On from The War on Drugs.
ML: California Waiting - Kings of Leon
SM - My Way
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Professor: let my self go into our jams.
ML: Only Jam, having that feeling of being yourself and letting the vibe take over your soul.
SM - No, the ideas come to me in random moments, take a pen and write it down.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Professor: Kashus Culppeper.
ML: Queens of Stone Age and Chris Stapleton
SM - Shawn James
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Professor: The War on Drugs!!!
ML: Kings of Leon
SM - The Black Keys
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Professor: have done it all ourselves, putting all our dreams on the project and now seeing it out there by our own means is AMAZING.
ML: Discovering how creative I could be.
SM - Releasing myself, to liberate my mind.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Professor: how difficult it is now to play live, even in small joints!
ML: Not having for now budget to buy lot's of gear haahaa
SM - To place the music in the commercial path.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Professor: do it… don’t wait to be discovered or sponsored, just find your own means and go out there!
ML: PRACTICE everyday
SM - It wasn't music advice at all, but it came from a very important person for me and I applied to music. I don’t know how to say it in English but the exact quote is “ … es el indio, no la flecha” … the meaning is that it doesn’t matter the tools, the magic is inside of the performer… in the case of drums its something like no matter the brand or the drum set itself, matters the guy playing with it.
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Charlie and the Moonshine's new single 'The Evil Mary' is out now. Check it out in the player below.