After a lifetime of playing instruments, bouncing between bands and experimenting with new musical techniques, Oakland\u2019s Kevin Moan had a simple idea. Alone in his rehearsal studio during the pandemic, he decided to plug his guitar amp into his bass cab. The result shocked and delighted him. A sultry bass tone led way into a whole new sound for Moan, who immediately got to work writing songs and playing his own instruments that matched his new vision. The result became the fuzzed-out, bluesy rock \u2019n\u2019 roll project Kevin Moan and the Howling.<\/p>\n
After self-releasing an EP in 2022 called Start the Show, Moan determined to play live shows and get his name out into the Bay Area music scene. He began playing open mics and small bars in Oakland and San Francisco, and his growth has remained consistent ever since. The band\u2019s debut album, Big Milk, which presents a sophisticated and clean 10 tracks that explore rock conventions with both technical skill and creative expansion, came out in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moan cites a vast array of music influences that shaped both his sonic and personal identity. He grew up on Bob Marley and classic rock, but discovered that music from the \u201970s and \u201980s inspired him the most. He connected to Misfits, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Flag, Ramones and the Clash when learning to play the electric guitar. He also holds a strong reverence for crooners and country artists like Marty Robbins and Roy Orbison. Prince, however, remains his main source of artistic expression, explaining how Prince set the blueprint for Moan\u2019s discovery of personal style and creative expression.<\/p>\n
Moan emphasizes that his influences do impact his sound, but ultimately his ideas are amalgamations of all great artists before him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m definitely a subscriber or a believer that the ideas, whatever creative idea comes, it doesn\u2019t come from me,\u201d Moan says. \u201cIt comes from somewhere else. Where that is, I don\u2019t know. Some higher plane of existence somewhere, and I am like a conduit.\u201d<\/p>\n
This belief informs how he approaches songwriting and producing, which is an organic process for Moan and comes as a result of work and dedication over time. He begins with solo experimenting on his instruments, and uses each discovery as a building block towards a song.<\/p>\n
Moan says, \u201cI almost think of it like a tree that\u2019s bearing fruit. You know, if you just water the soil and give it good nutrients, then this is the fruit that comes out. So that\u2019s my approach \u2026 it\u2019s rudimentary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moan says that growing up in Oakland and continuing his music career in his hometown are critical facets of his musical and creative identity. The cityscapes, nature, people and community motivate him to keep making music.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve traveled a lot and man, there\u2019s something about being here and seeing that water and seeing those hills and just the air and the sun,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s something you know: There\u2019s something special here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moan encourages young musicians to explore and push themselves as much as possible. To him, music is less about learning specific chords or notes and more about the process of discovery and expansion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He also expresses his deep gratitude for anyone who\u2019s come to a show, checked out the band\u2019s music or expressed interest in the project in any way. Moan\u2019s years of practice and writing in solitude gave him an even deeper appreciation for his newfound fans and community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor any advice I could give, I would just say, \u2018Keep going, do it because you love it and be cool to people,\u2019\u201d Moan says. \u201cHave so much love and gratitude, and keep an open mind. What I would say to people is, \u2018Thank you for checking us out, and I have so much gratitude.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n