2021 has been a big one for Move Like Creatures!
The SoCal female-fronted quartet joined forces to release their first-ever song “Mind Reader” and its absolutely spellbinding.
The band, who has defied the odds transcending the loneliness and isolation of lockdown to find each other in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, was inspired to pen the track after an ill-fated therapy session. “Mind Reader” is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever been misunderstood or misdiagnosed, for anyone who’s ever been told to toughen up or shake it off.
“‘Mind Reader’ was the first song we completed as a band in the midst of the pandemic. It is also the first of the five songs we plan on releasing on our EP next year,” bass player Brian Bello shares with Celeb Secrets, while drummer Melissa Koziel adds, “For me this song being our first release is special because from the beginning it really represented the direction we were going with our sound.”
For those who don’t know, Move Like Creatures was formed after lead singer Nancy Bombard and lead guitarist Ryan Reynolds joined forces to make music that had a meaningful connection to its listeners.
Hungry to return to the studio and the road after the dissolution of her last band, Bombard (who’d opened for the likes of 311, Slightly Stoopid, Sublime with Rome, and Rebelution in previous projects) took her search for like-minded artists to Craigslist in the early days of the pandemic. With so much of the world shut down, she wasn’t sure who—if anyone—would respond, but something told her she needed to give it a shot. “Within a day and a half, I’d heard from Ryan,” recalls Bombard, “and I was so excited about the prospect of collaborating with people again that I didn’t even stop to think that it might be dangerous to invite a stranger from the internet over to my house. I ended up hiding a knife under the couch cushion the first time we got together just to be safe.”
Fortunately for both of them, Bombard and Reynolds clicked instantly, and with the subsequent addition of Melissa Koziel on drums and Brian Bello on bass to the lineup, it soon became apparent to all involved that they were on to something truly special. It was those instincts, after all, that brought Bombard and her bandmates together.
Celeb Secrets sat down (virtually) with the band to learn more about their formation, “Mind Reader,” and what’s next for them in the new year. Take a read at the full Q&A below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Move Like Creatures by giving them a follow on Instagram at @movelikecreatures.
Celeb Secrets: Tell us about the release of your debut single “Mind Reader.”
Brian Bello: “Mind Reader” was the first song we completed as a band in the midst of the pandemic. It is also the first of the five songs we plan on releasing on our EP next year.
Melissa Koziel: “For me this song being our first release is special because from the beginning it really represented the direction we were going with our sound.”
CS: The track touches on mental health, what do you want listeners to take away from the meaning of the song?
Nancy Bombard: “I would say that I want everyone to feel less alone. These past few years turned many lives upside down and a lot of people are experiencing depression for the first time. It is important to seek help but to also listen to yourself and do what feels right. Not all advice is good or helpful, even when people mean well.”
BB: “Even before the pandemic, most people experienced some degree of mental health issues at some point in their life, even if it is just short term. Trying to find help for that can be a long strenuous process and the song embodies those frustrations.”
CS: How did you decide on naming the band Move Like Creatures?
Ryan Reynolds: “When we first met it took us months to narrow down a name for the band. I threw out the idea of calling the band Silver Tigers. One day we were all at practice throwing ideas around, and Nancy had a huge list of names and possible words to combine. Melissa was the one who said ‘what about Move Like Creatures’ and it just stuck with us.”
NB: “With a lot of our music surrounding the subject of mental health we felt this name stuck with us because internally we all are creatures – creatures of habit, emotional, unpredictable, and all those parts make us human.”
CS: As a whole, you each have a decorated musical background. Looking back, did you ever think you’d form a band amidst a global pandemic?
RR: “I feel like although it wasn’t something I thought would happen, it definitely worked out for us. The pandemic gave us time to collaborate and work on what this project has ultimately become. Before I met Nancy, I had just moved to Orange County from San Diego, and I didn’t know anyone other than my girlfriend who I met on Bumble. Since I didn’t have any friends in the area, I went on Craigslist to find a band to play with. I got really lucky that the band part worked out but also that it came with great friends.”
MK: “If we weren’t good friends I don’t think we would have been as fast tracked in this project. We helped each other through the madness of the pandemic since we couldn’t see our families and it gave us all a reason to create.”
NB: “I wouldn’t say I factored in the pandemic but this band was a dream. I created the Craigslist ad hoping I would find everyone and we did, we found each other.”
CS: What have you learned about yourself through working with each other?
MK: “I’ve been in bands through the years and experienced every personality and dynamic in that setting. For me I am just grateful because this project is fun and collaborative which is something I’ve always wanted. Playing drums is part of my identity and it is a lot more enjoyable to do it with people who also happen to be my best friends.”
RR: “I’ve learned that I chew really loud. Nancy brought awareness to this and I feel like it made me a better person. I also now know what the word misophonia means. But in all seriousness, before meeting the band I hadn’t played music for years while finishing college and starting my day job as an Engineer. Without exercising that creative musical side, it felt like a part of me was missing inside. When I got the chance to start creating music again and this band became a reality, it basically made me feel whole again.”
BB: “Music always had to be a secondary part of my life because Medical School took up so much of my time. Playing with this band and getting to record in the studio really helped me become more confident and believe in my musicality.”
NB: “I am just in a perpetual state of gratitude because I don’t always know how to get from point A to B and together I feel like we come up with a plan and make it happen. I am definitely the dreamer and the eternal optimist, Brian is the realist, Ryan is the comedic relief, and Melissa is the calm one. We were the 4 perfect strangers that came together at the worst/best time and I am excited to see how far we go.”
CS: What’s next for the band?
NB: “We plan to release our next song ‘Space Case’ some time in the next couple of months followed by another single and our full EP. In the meantime we are focused on planning shows, connecting with our new fans, and learning where we line up in the music world. We are always writing new music and perfecting our live performance.”
MK: “My day job is a graphic designer, so I’ve been hard at work on our merch and the art for the EP.”
BB: “I’m always writing little loops in Ableton that I send to the band. Nancy has some scratch lyrics over some of them, so who knows, maybe some of these will become the next batch of songs.”
RR: “I’m looking forward to shooting our next music video at a top secret location, untouched by man. That’s all I can say for now.”
