US band Walk The Moon pays tribute to late David Bowie

David Bowie’s sudden death two days ago has shocked and saddened yet another young musician.

Nicholas Petricca, lead singer of US pop rock quartet Walk The Moon, a band best known for its catchy hit Shut Up And Dance, describes the late English performer as “one of their biggest influences”.

In fact, Bowie’s Let’s Dance is the one song that always makes Petricca, well, shut up and dance.

“His personality and his ability to evolve and change into so many different versions of himself throughout his career is so inspiring. It’s something we hope to do too,” Petricca, 28, who founded Walk The Moon in 2008 when he was still a student, told M yesterday over the phone from Los Angeles.

The band will be in town next week for their first-ever concert here, as part of the Asian leg of their Talking Is Hard Tour.

It will be Petricca’s first time in Singapore and he’s excited to explore.

“Some people I’ve met who have been to Singapore say it’s just beautiful. I love the Asian culture. Having been to Japan and Thailand, I’ve seen that Asians are so hospitable and find humour in everything,” he said.

Last year was Walk The Moon’s most successful year so far, with Shut Up And Dance — from their 2014 album Talking Is Hard — selling over four million copies worldwide.

It peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a No. 1 hit on the magazine’s Alternative Songs chart and the Hot Adult Contemporary chart.

The band — which also comprises bassist Kevin Ray, 29, drummer Sean Waugaman, 28, and guitarist Eli Maiman, 29 — also played sold-out shows in the US, Japan and Europe, and were one of the musical guests US pop star Taylor Swift invited to perform on her 1989 tour.

The two acts sang Shut Up And Dance together.

Walk The Moon were also nominated in the New Artist of the Year, Favourite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group and Favourite Alternative Artist categories at last year’s American Music Awards.

“This celebrity world seemed unattainable growing up but now we’re a part of it... It’s quite strange and fun,” said Petricca.

One of the biggest moments of 2015 for Petricca was opening for legendary English rockers The Rolling Stones, but the most memorable was playing for a 10,000-strong crowd at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

“Ten thousand of our fans came just for us. That was really magical. It felt like even more of an accomplishment than anything else,” he said.

“We really believed in that song and we still do. There was something about it when we recorded it and played it live for the first time that we knew it was special.

“It’s a really fun sound that is a little bit retro and I think it stood out from the other songs that were out at the same time. It was the only true rock ’n’ roll sound out on pop radio,” he added.

Shut Up And Dance is close to Petricca’s heart as he met his girlfriend the same way as was portrayed in the wacky music video, which features a couple falling in love on the dance floor in an 80s-era club.

EXCITED

“I think it’s a relatable story. It’s just about a kid who’s too nervous and too stuck in his own head to experience the moment. I think we’ve all experienced that in our own lives, where we just needed someone to help us snap out of it and just enjoy life,” he said.

Petricca said Walk The Moon are “excited” to release their new song Work This Body this year, during which they will continue to tour and write new music.

“It’s about redefining yourself and persevering and rising up. It’s about chasing your dreams,” he said.

However, there is always the worry about becoming a one-hit wonder.

“(Shut Up And Dance) became much bigger than we really anticipated and I think it’s at a point right now where people maybe know the song and don’t necessarily know who we are but it certainly isn’t a bad thing. It’s a good problem to have.

“It’s just going to push us harder. It’s just a fear in the back of my mind but I know that as long as we keep persevering, (similar success) will happen eventually,” he said.

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FYI

What: Walk The Moon Live In Singapore

Where: Fort Canning Park

When: Jan 19, 8pm

Tickets: $78 to $194 from Sistic (6348-5555 or www.sistic.com.sg)