The new track “Talkin‘ bout the Wolf“ by LA musician Johnathan Mooney and Stockholm musician Christian Granquist featuring The Legion of Whom has been released in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Johnathan talks about how horrified the world have been watching the unlawful invasion of Ukraine. He mentions the horrors the world expressed when in 2014 the Crimean Peninsula was a precursor to what is happening today in Ukraine. Although being a liberal voter Johnathan still remembers the warning issued by Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney where Romney said that Russia and Putin posed a huge threat. With Russia being guilty of previous atrocities and unlawful acts such as infiltrating social media and even an assassination on British soil, the threat seemed to be growing.
Johnathan wrote a song in response to the Ukraine crisis and was trying to come up with a suitable title. He looked up Ukranian sayings and came across the saying “Talking about the Wolf“. A similar saying to “speak of the devil“. Ukraine was talking and telling people about the “wolf“ showing up and it did.
When it comes to who was chosen to be involved in this music project Johnathan says “This is a question that makes me smile, as one of the original ideas was calling the group “Legion of WHOM?, as in there’s such epic talent here, I struggle everyday with imposter syndrome that I truly think we’re not worthy to be on the same level“. This humble observation by Johnathan doesn’t take into account the fact that many of the people that are in The Legion of Whom are musicians he has worked with or known for many years. The Legion of Whom consists of musicians like Claus Larsen from Leæther Strip and Martin Bowes from Attrition, who Johnathan has worked with on several things over the years. Athan Maroulis of NOIR and Jeff Diehm from The Last Dance have been friends of Johnathan for over twenty years. Having played for well known NYC Goth band The New Creatures also leveraged a bit of recognition. “As Johnathan Christian received a bit of a brighter spotlight it opened a whole new pool of fellow musicians in our little community O’Doom.“ Johnathan did some piano work for Black Angel. The Glass House Museum’s Lee Meadows, one of the people who established World Goth Day, did some great remix work with. Johnathan. As the project progressed not a single person said they weren’t interested in participating. “Everyone involved and those who couldn’t make it work all said “you’ve got something really special here“.
As with any project of this nature Johnathan had some challenges “I absolutely can’t stand “Do They Know Its Christmas“ but let me tell you I have a whole world of admiriation for Sir Bob for what he put together.“ There were times when Johnathan wanted to walk away from the project but his tenacity and the encouragement of even those unable to participate carried him through. Johnathan explains that on the day of the release of the track he “lost it and just started bawling“. Emotionally exhausted he decided he needed a mental health break. A Legion of Whom member has already asked if he will be doing anything for the controversial overturn of Roe vs Wade. Johnathan wants to sleep for a bit but he has already started writing.
When it came to the choice of recipients for the money raised by the single Johnathan explained that he spent a lot of time researching the various groups assisting Ukraine but one kept coming up as being particularly helpful. The “Come Back Alive Foundation“ was established in the first days of 2014 in response to aggression by the Russian army. Initially the group was assisting with the supply of bullet proof vests, Walkie-Talkies, binoculars and other military articles. For eight years the “Come Back Alive Foundation“ has sent equipment to the frontline, trained soldiers and invented its own products, like the Bronya Artillery Program and Anti-sniper Surveillance Systems. Today they are struggling to meet the ever growing needs of the Ukraine army.
Being a dark and gloomy rock band, with a hint of post punk and goth, the original band logo, which is referred to as the “death martini“ is a throwback to the bands roots. Johnathan’s father was a great piano player and he himself got his start playing Jazz piano while Christian was doing some outstanding electronic bossa nova music when they met. Talented artist Vlad McNeally took the martini swilling logo and Johnathan says “transformed it into a powerful image“
With much of their music being inspired by global events Johnathan and Christian’s first album had a song called “Fallen“, inspired by the Syrian governments chemical barrel bombs dropped on their own people. For “Talkin‘ Bout The Wolf“, Johnathan used the scenes and visions of the unfolding events in Ukraine. “When I write a song, I have the entire story in my head like a script or a narrative, but I don’t possess the skills to transform the story into words.“ That’s where Christian comes in. Christian conveys the ideas Johnathan cannot.
When asked if he would like to perform in the Ukraine Johnathan seems quite resolved.
“I can’t begin to say ab-so-fucking-lutely. I’ve been crushing hard on the Dakh Daughters, in fact, the last choir was added at the last minute in the hopes I could have one of the members say something. To visit, to play, to work with fellow musicians…Right now we’re in a whole of shit. And I know we’re all concerned with so many things, but as things keep going, let’s keep thinking about Ukraine, because the Wolf is at all of our doors.“
On that note Slava Ukrayini!
The Legion of Whom
Matt Vowles: Black Angel (guitar)
Lee Meadows: The Glass House Museum (bass)
Athan Maroulis : NOIR
Steven Archer: Ego Likeness/Stoneburner
Claus Larsen: Leæther Strip
Martin Bowes: Attrition
Alla Miroshichenko: Attrition/Alia Synesthesia (cello)
Jeff Diehm: The Last Dance
Ania Tarnowska: I Ya Toyah
Links
Support and buy here : https://johnathan.bandcamp.com/album/talkin-bout-the-wolf-ft-the-legion-of-whom
YouTube : https://youtu.be/6pSAFnYiKUU
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