East Moon’s New EP Captures the Struggles of Self-Discovery and Growth

Chicago-based post-hardcore band East Moon is back with a powerful new EP that dives deep into themes of anxiety, identity, and self-reflection. Blending their love for classic emo-core with fresh influences, the band continues to carve out their own space in the scene while paying homage to the genre’s roots. With raw emotion and anthemic intensity, this release marks a new chapter in their evolution, expanding on the sound they introduced in 2023. As they gear up for an exciting year of shows and new opportunities, East Moon is ready to take their music beyond Chicago and into the hearts of fans everywhere.

Q. Your new EP just dropped—congratulations! What themes or emotions drive this release, and how does it reflect your growth as a band since your debut?

A. This EP reflects on dealing with negativity both around you and within yourself, Holding yourself back or watching others do the same, Navigating imposter syndrome and dealing with an identity crisis and it also deals with anxiety and the feeling that won’t go away because of it.

Q. Post-hardcore and emo-core have such passionate fan bases. How do you feel your sound fits within these genres, and what sets East Moon apart from other bands in the scene?

A. We honestly love both of those genres and try to pay Homage to the those genres with everything we write so it’s easy for us to show those influences. We also don’t try to copy anyone specifically so it feels that when writing music, our own style comes through with our own spin on those genres.

Q. Chicago has a rich history of alternative and emo music. How has the city influenced your sound, songwriting, or even your experiences as a band?

A. We’ve been fortunate to not only grow up around a lot of musicians but to also benefit from access to some of the best shows. Most of us have been playing in bands for the majority of our lives with other genres ranging from metal to punk to hardcore. Chicago is a mecca for music and we’re fortunate to be from here.

Q. Your debut singles in 2023 introduced listeners to East Moon. How does this EP expand on that introduction, and what can both new and longtime fans expect?

A. We definitely feel that we’ve grown as a band and we are no longer finding our voice but honing in on it. We think fans will appreciate the growth but will also find some familiarity in it too.

Q. What was the creative process like for this EP?

A. Most of our songwriting happens pretty organically where a riff is presented and we all get together to expand on the mood and feeling of the song. The same goes for this EP but we definitely made a goal to write songs for an EP and we actually had more songs than what we recorded but we had a theme in mind, picked our favorites and tightened them up.

Q. If you could describe this EP in three words, what would they be and why?

A. Don’t Ever Settle. Most people tend to make excuses for themselves or the people around them but it’s important to analyze your choices, your experiences, your actions, your social circle etc. Sometimes one change can make a huge difference in your life.

Q. Now that the EP is out, what’s next for East Moon? Any upcoming shows, tours, or new projects fans should keep an eye out for?

A. We are headlining Logan Square Auditorium on Saturday March 8th with some awesome bands, we have a bunch of opportunities coming up in Chicago that we will announce at later times and we’re hoping to venture out of the city this year too.