Before he started calling himself Frankie Sunswept, Franklin Hoier and his wife Moselle Spiller appeared unassuming enough to be your next-door neighbors. Just another married couple ready to share their eclectic record collection over a fondue dinner.
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The inauspicious start to their lives took place on opposite sides of the country. Perhaps destined to be drawn together like a metal to a magnet, though, they eventually formed Crushed Out, a dashing duo (Sunswept, left, and Spiller) with the tools to transport you to another time, another place.
How is that possible? Crushed Out's original surf punk-folk-grunge rock songs are homemade, hardscrabble twists on experiencing the American dream, whether that involves doing the frug during a Beach Blanket Bingo bonfire party on the West Coast or slam dancing your guts out inside New York's CBGB.
Sunswept is a self-taught guitarist born and raised in Los Angeles who moved to New York City in 2004 before he met his future wife in 2009 in a Bushwick, Brooklyn apartment building. Spiller is a visual and graphic designer who grew up in New Hampshire, was influenced by her artistic lineage, attended Parsons School of Design in NYC and quickly learned how to play drums. Not long after that initial get-together, they were playing rock 'n' roll and making an EP (2010's Show Pony).
Just like any typically ambitious millennial couple hoping to make an honest living and a few records -- including 2012's Want to Give and 2014's Teeth -- in the most creative way possible. Or is there more to their extraordinary story?
Could they be ... aliens?
Mull over that question while watching the video of Crushed Out's "Rolling in the Moonshine" that premieres exclusively today (Dec. 8) at The Huffington Post. Then learn more about the hopes and dreams of the talented twosome in a quick email interview in which they discuss the dreamy song and the video that's simultaneously cool, kitschy, groovy and full of freaky fun.
"Rolling in the Moonshine" is one of 10 tunes from Alien Ocean, a swingingly superb full-length album -- one of my favorites of the year -- that was released on Sept. 30 via Cool Clear Water Records, Crushed Out's own indie imprint.
"I really personally enjoy the lyric, 'I know they will never understand.' That is a perspective that has taken me years to arrive to," Sunswept said when asked how the words from "Rolling in the Moonshine" serve Crushed Out's approach to life. "The song is concerning our experiences and feelings as independent artists crossing these giant divides, living on the road, and sharing our art. These epic lonesome spaces between us and the next show, state, coast, experience, connection.
"Over these years of touring and searching, our relationship has been strengthened by these crazy experiences that only her and I truly know about. 'Rolling in the Moonshine' is going with your own flow as rebellion. To just let go of expectations and go your own way. Kind of an alien surf R&B / Bonnie and Clyde / Thelma & Louise vibe. A new groove for us that was very enjoyable to flesh out."
The DIY aspect of everything they do, from writing, playing and singing their own songs, producing and recording (Sunswept) and creating artwork (Spiller) for the album to self-production of the videos that includes styling and designing costumes is an artistic expression that seems otherworldly, particularly when it's done so well. Sunswept not only is the lead vocalist on the album, but in addition to guitars, he also plays bass, organ, synth, lap steel and keyboards.
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The fact that they plan to make -- on their own -- videos for all 10 of Alien Ocean's songs -- and are halfway there -- while touring the country throughout the fall is an incredible accomplishment for two inventive folks who also run a small kombucha company and recording studio in New Hampshire, where they currently reside.
"We are not in the video making business; we focus first on writing songs and performing them," s
The inauspicious start to their lives took place on opposite sides of the country. Perhaps destined to be drawn together like a metal to a magnet, though, they eventually formed Crushed Out, a dashing duo (Sunswept, left, and Spiller) with the tools to transport you to another time, another place.How is that possible? Crushed Out's original surf punk-folk-grunge rock songs are homemade, hardscrabble twists on experiencing the American dream, whether that involves doing the frug during a Beach Blanket Bingo bonfire party on the West Coast or slam dancing your guts out inside New York's CBGB.
Sunswept is a self-taught guitarist born and raised in Los Angeles who moved to New York City in 2004 before he met his future wife in 2009 in a Bushwick, Brooklyn apartment building. Spiller is a visual and graphic designer who grew up in New Hampshire, was influenced by her artistic lineage, attended Parsons School of Design in NYC and quickly learned how to play drums. Not long after that initial get-together, they were playing rock 'n' roll and making an EP (2010's Show Pony).
Just like any typically ambitious millennial couple hoping to make an honest living and a few records -- including 2012's Want to Give and 2014's Teeth -- in the most creative way possible. Or is there more to their extraordinary story?
Could they be ... aliens?
Mull over that question while watching the video of Crushed Out's "Rolling in the Moonshine" that premieres exclusively today (Dec. 8) at The Huffington Post. Then learn more about the hopes and dreams of the talented twosome in a quick email interview in which they discuss the dreamy song and the video that's simultaneously cool, kitschy, groovy and full of freaky fun.
"Rolling in the Moonshine" is one of 10 tunes from Alien Ocean, a swingingly superb full-length album -- one of my favorites of the year -- that was released on Sept. 30 via Cool Clear Water Records, Crushed Out's own indie imprint.
"I really personally enjoy the lyric, 'I know they will never understand.' That is a perspective that has taken me years to arrive to," Sunswept said when asked how the words from "Rolling in the Moonshine" serve Crushed Out's approach to life. "The song is concerning our experiences and feelings as independent artists crossing these giant divides, living on the road, and sharing our art. These epic lonesome spaces between us and the next show, state, coast, experience, connection.
"Over these years of touring and searching, our relationship has been strengthened by these crazy experiences that only her and I truly know about. 'Rolling in the Moonshine' is going with your own flow as rebellion. To just let go of expectations and go your own way. Kind of an alien surf R&B / Bonnie and Clyde / Thelma & Louise vibe. A new groove for us that was very enjoyable to flesh out."
The DIY aspect of everything they do, from writing, playing and singing their own songs, producing and recording (Sunswept) and creating artwork (Spiller) for the album to self-production of the videos that includes styling and designing costumes is an artistic expression that seems otherworldly, particularly when it's done so well. Sunswept not only is the lead vocalist on the album, but in addition to guitars, he also plays bass, organ, synth, lap steel and keyboards.
The fact that they plan to make -- on their own -- videos for all 10 of Alien Ocean's songs -- and are halfway there -- while touring the country throughout the fall is an incredible accomplishment for two inventive folks who also run a small kombucha company and recording studio in New Hampshire, where they currently reside. "We are not in the video making business; we focus first on writing songs and performing them," s