We Shot The Moon | Head In The Clouds, Feet On The Ground
Written By: Jameson Ketchum

onathan Jones has been a mainstay in the indie pop scene since the formation of Waking Ashland in 2003. Since then, Jones has had his share of ups and downs, disbanding Waking Ashland, and a struggle with what his new outfit would look like.

Now, armed with some of the most infectious tunes you’ll hear this summer, Jones, along with his new band, We Shot The Moon, are standing on the edge of something great and he can’t wait for you to listen. We chatted with Jones outside The Venue in Boise, Idaho to get his take on the past, present, and what is in store for We Shot The Moon.

Tell us a bit about this new record.

Jonathan Jones: I would love to tell you about our new record. We just got done recording a record called A Silver Lining. It’s going to be 11 songs and it should come out in late July. We recorded with Mike Green a couple months ago and we couldn’t be happier. It definitely showcases the band we’re trying to be and it’s a more honest approach. The lyric writing is very honest and I think the melodies are a bit stronger this time around.

Waking Ashland broke up in mid 2007. What were you thoughts on continuing in music? Or was that choice a no brainer?

JJ: When Waking Ashland broke up it threw me for a loop because it was a bit premature. It was my choice for it to break up because I was extremely unhappy but when all was said and done it threw me for a loop and I took a couple months to decide what I wanted to do. Eventually, as I regained my senses, it was like well wait a minute, this story is not done, I have more to say, I want to write more songs, I want to try this again, so I started We Shot The Moon.

I know that some of the guys from Sherwood helped you out a lot.

JJ: They did. Sherwood was a part of We Shot The Moon as far as helping record the first record but now Sherwood’s involvement is minimal. Dan Cook and Joe played on the record.

Would you say your influences changed much from the time you were writing for Waking Ashland to when We Shot the Moon began writing?

JJ: Not really. I mean if anything I’m back to where I was in Waking Ashland which is a good thing. For awhile I think I thought too much about music, I was over thinking things, trying to be something I wasn’t, and now I have just kind of been real honest and have a direct approach. I feel like I’ve taken up where Waking Ashland left off.

You told me awhile back that this next album would be a lot more focused on aspects of your faith. Was that something that ended up shining through on this new release?

JJ: I think the theme was that I’m getting older and I need to take life a little more seriously and so I wrote a record that kind of reflected that. There are songs on the record like “A Silver Lining” that are about being found, the concept of being lost and being found. It’s obviously not a new concept but I took my stab at that because I felt for awhile that that was me so I decided to write a song about it. There are other songs such as “Candles” that is similar and very faith based. It’s a good honest approach. I’m excited for people to hear it.

What are some of your favorite tracks of the new record?

JJ: “Woke Her Up”, “Miracle”.

Miracle is my new favorite song.

JJ: Yeah, playing “On The Brightside” live is crazy. We’ve been playing that live and it’s been awesome. People have really responded well and the song means a lot to me. It’s more on the poppy side and I don’t know, I’m trying to please everyone I guess. I’m trying to just write different types of songs. I think a lot of people will like that song.

We were just listening to that song today and loving it.

JJ: Thank you.

Do you still have fans requesting that you play Waking Ashland songs? Will you play them?

JJ: I do and for encores I’ll do it. I’ll definitely do it if it’s that kind of night.

Do you feel like that stuff is behind you though?

JJ: No, that stuff is a part of my life. I love playing it. It just has to be the right mood if that makes sense. It is in the past and We Shot The Moon is a new band with new guys and they get it. They know it’s my past and no one is bitter. It just has to be that special night where it feels right.

I am absolutely hooked on the songs “In the Blue” and “Welcome Home”. Can you tell us a little bit about the meanings behind those songs?

JJ: “Welcome Home” is about coming back from tour and feeling lost in life. Just giving so much and not feeling like you’re getting much in return. It’s about making it in life. You set these goals and then its about wondering, “Am I really going to achieve this dream or am I going to be like thirty and look back and say wow I tried hard but it didn’t really happen for me” and “Welcome Home” kind of tackles that. There is also a Holy Spirit reference in the song.

I can’t think of what part that is.

JJ: You’ll have to listen to the song to find out. It’s there.

And “In The Blue”?

JJ: It’s about a girl, my high school sweetheart who I continue to write songs about which is crazy. There’s like three songs about her on the new record which blows my mind because I don’t ever really talk to her but I still seem to be hung up on it.

Is it just nostalgia though?

JJ: I don’t think so, unfortunately, I wish it was.

Tell us a little about your solo album you just released.

JJ: Oh thank you. I released a record on i-tunes and all the digital outlets called We Were Young and it’s really piano driven. It’s recorded in a simpler fashion where there’s no tricks really. It’s pretty raw sounding.

Did it only come out on hard copy in Japan?

JJ: Yes but I think when I do a solo tour I’ll have hard copies.

Have you seen a good response in Japan?

JJ: Oh yeah it sold really well. It had a good first week.

I’ve heard you state before that Switchfoot was a huge influence on you wanting to be in a band. What it’s like now being in that position where you’re the one influencing people to start playing music? Have you experienced people saying that kind of thing much?

JJ: Yeah some people do its pretty trippy and flattering. I don’t know how to respond sometimes. That’s like a big thing because I remember what Switchfoot was to me so when somebody is coming up to me saying, “Man you really influenced my writing or I’m playing music because I really like what you do, its helped me” I’m like wow I don’t know what to say. All I can do is smile because it’s the reason I play music. To know I’m affecting someone positively, it’s huge, it’s everything.

Who are you currently listening to? Is there anyone out there that is currently impressing your socks off?

JJ: I liked Augustana’s last record. That was cool. I’ve been listening to Andrew Bird a lot. Who have I been listening to? I wish I had my ipod with me. I guess I’ll just leave you with Andrew Bird. He’s enough.

What will we see coming from We Shot The Moon this summer?

JJ: A ton of touring. We’re going to be switching labels. We’re shopping our record right now. We’re not going to be put out on Militia Group and hopefully people will see a refreshed band that’s playing consistently and there are some new things we want to do with media outlets that I can’t talk about quite yet.

Well thank you for talking with us.

JJ: Absolutely. Thank you.