The Moon Upstairs

The Moon Upstairs is an American psychedelic rock group based in Echo Park, CA. Principal songwriter, guitarist, and pianist, Sharif Dumani formed the group after he and bassist Aaron Ebensperger toured and collaborated with rock 'n roll soul man Cody ChesnuTT, who was hailed the new Arthur Lee (Love) for the neo soul generation. Along with Mark Sogomian (guitar) and Josh Mancell (drums) (later adding New York transplant, Dave Baine), the then four-piece recorded eleven songs, strings arranged by Lavender Diamond's Steve Gregoropoulis. The Moon Upstairs sat on these recordings while members did outside recording work and Dumani toured with The Tyde (Rough Trade Records), filling in for Ben Knight on their 2006 tour with The Black Angels.

In 2007, independent label Gifted Children Records signed The Moon Upstairs and released their debut album, "Guarding The Golden Apple" in June 2007 in the United States. To promote their release, they toured alongside electronic pioneer, Silver Apples.

Each member of The Moon Upstairs is a multi-instrumentalist. [Taken from Liner Notes of Guarding the Golden Apple]

Members have collaborated and/or toured with: Nick Castro and the Young Elders, The Morlocks, The Tyde, Jonathan Wilson, and Good Time Women.

Their band name is taken from a song by Mott The Hoople.

Members

* Sharif Dumai - vocals, electric/acoustic guitar, piano, electric piano, organ, lap steel, celeste, melodica
* Aaron Ebensperger - bass guitar, bowed bass, gutted piano
* Mark Sogomian - electric guitar, noise
* Josh Mancell - drums, timpani, gutted piano, vibraphone, percussion
* Dave Baine - guitar, piano, organ

Discography

* "Guarding The Golden Apple" (2007, Gifted Children Records)

References

* [http://www.themoonupstairs.com Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/themoonupstairs Official MySpace Page]
* [http://www.giftedchildrenrecords.com Gifted Children Records]
* [http://www.dreamgeo.com Dream Magazine]
* [http://www.terrascope.org Ptolemaic Terrascope]