Doomed Confessionary: Kaleb Riser (Black Moon Cult)
Black Moon Cult is a heavy psychedelic rock band from Toledo, Ohio. Founded by lead vocalist/guitar & synth player Kaleb Riser in late 2021, along with bassist/synth player Kevin Lewis, and drummer/percussionist Jeff Vandebussche.
Black Moon Cult takes sonic inspiration from classic bands such as early Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and Hawkwind, while incorporating eclectic influences such as classic prog, neo-psych, desert rock, and jam music. Blending trippy and dreamy atmospheres with fuzz-laden stoner rock riffage and progressive songwriting; fans have drawn comparisons to acts such as Fu Manchu, Earthless, and The Sword.
The band released their second single »Supernova« in October of 2023, via Tee Pee Records, along with the self-released psych-punk juggernaut »Hollow Traveler« earlier that year. The trio have performed their Psychedelic grooves all across the Midwest and Eastern US after completing several headlining tours in 2022/2023. An East Coast tour is slated for June 2024.
Black Moon Cult has shared the stage with acts such as The Obsessed, Today Is The Day, Mirror Queen, Ecstatic Vision, The Atomic Bitchwax, Brimstone Coven, and many more.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Black Moon Cult is a heavy psych trio from NW Ohio. Our sound is a blend of psychedelic/stoner rock, and classic progressive hard rock. To date we’ve released 2 singles, the self released psych-punk tinged »Hollow Traveler«, and our label debut »Supernova« via Tee Pee Records.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Early on, the biggest challenge was a few lineup changes. Nothing too severe. The current lineup is tighter than ever personally and musically!
What can you be most proud of so far?
We feel proud that much of our fanbase and opportunities thus far have been gained the old school way, by playing live. We’re not very interested in the social media “content creator” direction that the industry has been moving towards. We’re more interested in a grass-roots fan base that is into live music and listening to records the old school way.
What was your biggest regret?
Can honestly say we’ve been extremely lucky in that we’ve always followed our gut-feeling, and it has almost always turned out in our favor. Even in the face of adversity, we’ve always found a way to move on and keep trucking. No regrets!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Off the top of my head I’d say a specific date on our 2022 tour where we played Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA) with The Atomic Bitchwax and Mirror Queen. Philadelphia is one of my absolute favorite cities and the lineup was just perfection. Venue sound was great. Fantastic night.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I was surprised to find how interconnected everyone in the stoner/doom scene seems to be. Once you meet a few of the heavy hitters, you sort of end up meeting everyone. One giant family for sure. Lots of support and love between all of the bands in the scene.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’ve been spinning the most recent Howling Giant, The Obsessed, and Lie Heavy records quite a bit. The new Melvins album is also fantastic. Old classics that have been coming back into rotation as well, notably a lot of Uli Roth era Scorpions, and King Crimson’s »Red«.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
A local guitar shop owner named Don Humes once told me that to develop my lead guitar phrasing, I needed to listen to other instruments. Jazz horn sections, saxophone, female vocalists, sitar, etc. That was pretty mind opening at the time, and really helped me develop a more creative approach to all aspects of my playing/writing. A lot of my effect usage is based around emulating various instruments and synthesizer sounds.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Don’t feel too guilty to admit any of these, as they are all absolutely world class: Prince, George Jones, Melanie Safka, Hall & Oates, The Beach Boys. All just absolutely amazing songwriters.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Toledo / Ohio?
The Ohio, and specifically the Northwest Ohio music scene is extremely underrated in its talent and creativity. Some of my favorites include Tree No Leaves, The Intergalactic League of Scum and Friends, Strange Generation, and in the southern end of the state, Slow Wake, Beyond Neptune, and Brimstone Coven.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We will be hitting the US East Coat this June with our friends Cherry Drop for the “Jaded Future Tour”. That runs June 1st-June 9th. I’ll include dates at the end of the interview. We’ll also be performing at the Maryland Doomfest on June 22nd, Ohio’s Poolpartypalooza Fest July 13th. Currently booking a Midwestern US run for September. A few of local one-offs in between all of that.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’re about 70% with the recording of our debut album. Once finished we’ll be shopping the record around to a few labels, and then touring as much as we can in support of the record! We’re aiming to land an opening slot on a larger stoner/psych rock tour, and currently pursuing that through our agent at SAGA Booking and Management.
How can people best support your band?
Come see us live!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for all of your continued support and we’ll see you in June for the Jaded Future Tour! Tour dates listed below:
June 1st – Parts and Labor – Melvindale, MI
June 2nd – Frankies Inner City – Toledo, OH
June 5th – Green Beacon Gallery – Greensburg, PA
June 7th – Cafe 9 – New Haven, CT
June 8th – Nostalgia – Bethpage, NY
June 9th – TheDepot Baltimore – Baltimore, MD
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well