Juliette Jackson always wanted to have a band. And while she was penning songs for a while, she couldn't find the right mix of musicians until she met Soph Nathan (guitar, vocals), Celia Archer (bass, vocals) and Fern Ford (drums). After they all started jamming in a small rehearsal space in London, the instant chemistry felt like musical kismet. And soon The Big Moon was born. A couple of years, many rehearsals and gigs to get to their taste of the live audience late, the indie rock quartet are set to release their debut album, Love in the 4th Dimension. We chatted with Soph and Juliette about the band's new record, touring in the US and what they're up to this year. 

Hometown: London

Let's start at the beginning. How did the band get together?

Soph Nathan: Jules wrote a bunch of songs and asked everyone and their dog if they knew anyone who'd want to play with her. Through a string of mutual friends she found us!

Juliette Jackson: At our first rehearsal I cried and we had tuna sandwiches.

What's the story behind the band name?

Jackson: It's the moon, it makes people act crazy, it lights up the night, it pulls the sea around — the whole sea! — aaaaaaaand it's a reference to my big bum.

What's currently each of your favorite songs to perform? Why?

Nathan: I love playing "Silent Movie Susie." We open the set with it and the intro is such a nice way to start, it feels like stretching for a run or something, shaking all your limbs out and wobbling your face side to side before you get going.

Jackson: I love playing "Cupid," all that whoooooo in the chorus.

What is it like to feel Love in the 4th Dimension?

Jackson: It's expensive and upside down.

Highlight of 2016?

Jackson: Glastonbury was a dream come true. A very very muddy dream come true.

On Twitter, you guys revealed you performed 738 gigs last year. How did it feel to be able to do that? How did you survive it?

Nathan: That was actually a joke, I don't think we would've been able to survive it. I guess that would be like doing two gigs a day every day for a year. Occasionally doing 4 one day when we fancy a day off... We'll make it our challenge for 2017!

Jackson: Yeah, we would need Bernard’s watch to do that many shows in a year.

What was it like touring the US?

Nathan: It was amazing! We toured with The Japanese House who's a friend of ours so that was extra nice. We'd never toured the States before so everything felt so fresh and exciting.

What's next for The Big Moon?

Nathan: The newly set challenge of two gigs a day. And releasing our debut album.

Jackson: The 5th dimension! I've been talking with Matthew McConaughey about getting there to check it out.

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