Canadian pop-punk skate-rockers Moore Ave Underground usher audiences into their dreamscapes with the release of this, their new single “6 Feet” — available now. The song’s inspiration stems from a subliminal vision band member Josh Gaudette had where his dad was dying, the band — which also includes Josh’s brothers Joseph and Jack, as well as Shawn MacDonald — shares. “Essentially, he was giving me his last words, and pieces of advice to take with me into the future,” Josh continues. “But with my dad still being alive and well, it was even weirder for me being at his bedside as he was ailing within the dream. Even more disturbing was receiving the call that he was gone…
“In the dream, it all seemed so real,” he adds. “It made me feel super creeped out, and the whole experience of writing the song had this super creepy vibe to it, as well. I think that comes through in the track.”
“We originally had more of a cinematic storyline planned for this video, but Covid had other plans,” Shawn reveals; he also directed the flick.
But they made-do, deciding “to make the best out of a less-than-ideal situation,” Joseph adds, “and used our resources to the fullest.”
“The whole video was shot in our home — the Underground,” Jack picks up, name checking the band’s title and ethos all in one. “And it helps to have a drummer that doubles as a director!”
As for that band title and ethos, Moore Ave Underground is more than what meets the eye.
“Moore Ave Underground refers to our family home’s basement,” Josh says. “When I took up music, the basement was already filled with a foosball table, a hockey table, and a bar that no one ever used. We convinced my mom and dad to make some hard choices, and ended up bidding a fond farewell to it all in order to make room for instruments.
“It became something special,” he continues. “Soon, friends, family and contributors started coming and going and creating. We have witnessed those who never believed their musical ability was possible grow into accomplished performers.
“Today, this is the goal: to provide a platform for talent, and encourage, inspire and see artists of any kinds and all ages realize their potential. For us, the motivation is to offer a window to the world that shows the talents and gifts we are blessed to see and be a part of every day.”
What that ultimately looks like is a lengthy series of single releases — including 2020’s “Beanies and Plaid Jackets,” “How You’ve Grown,” and “What’s Done” — and a debut EP, 2019’s It’s All in my Head; in addition to releasing “6 Feet,” the band are currently finishing up their forthcoming full-length.
“When we reflect on what Moore Ave is — both in what we are about, and what our moral codes and values are — there’s always one thing we’ve always been passionate about: equality,” Joseph says. “Since we could think for ourselves, there’s one thing all of us have strived for, and that’s acceptance.”
“For us, it doesn’t matter how you act, who you are, or what you look like,” Shawn adds. “No matter what, there’s a place for you to be yourself in the Underground.”
“Our house show motto is ‘everybody loves everybody,’ and it’s heavily enforced,” Jack underscores. “We think kindness towards each other is extremely important, and something we, as a band, do not take for granted.”
See also: how a bad dream of a father’s passing inspires a great song all its own.
“6 Feet” is available now.
