A Dirty Dozen with TREVOR ZIEBARTH from MOONLIGHT DESIRES – November 2026

According to a recent press release: “Hamilton, ON’s nostalgia-fueled hard rockers MOONLIGHT DESIRES return with their biggest party yet. Six years after their last studio release, the band is set to unleash their new EP Totally Tubular 80’s Party Machine on November 27, 2026 via Infamous Butcher Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band is now streaming the first single and music video, a high-energy reimagining of A-ha’s timeless classic “Take On Me.” Known for transforming beloved 80’s pop hits into guitar-driven rock anthems, Moonlight Desires continues its mission of injecting nostalgia with a shot of adrenaline. The seven-track EP showcases the band’s signature blend of soaring hooks, crunchy riffs, and sing-along choruses while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original songs.” We get Trevor to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our new EP Totally Tubular 80’s Party Machine is 7 tracks of reworked 80’s hits in a hard rock style. This album is a step in a new direction, promoting my brother Jay from bass to full-time frontman! We also decided to keep the arrangements of these classics closer to the original 80’s versions to maximize the nostalgic trip. I think a fan will notice on further listens that we converted all the original 80’s synth lines into lead guitar parts! We also have little things that happen only once, an extra harmony here, a certain ‘lick’ that happens one time and never again – lots of little easter eggs of rich production can be found!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Once I realized I could learn how to play my favourite songs on guitar by ear, I decided to begin writing my own songs and forming bands! The Seattle grunge movement happened when I was a teenager and spoke directly to me. These are songs I could actually play and sing. I knew then I would become a musician!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The energy, tone, and vibe of a band like Soundgarden really inspired me and guided me through my teen years. I think the album Badmotorfinger was the hardest-hitting for me and sent me on a riff odyssey. I wrote many riffs in the vein of this album!

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would call Canadian icon GOWAN. It would be such a fitting climax for this band to do a collab with the guy who inspired the whole project.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

When not in the studio or on tour, I like to demo music! I also enjoy script writing! But when specifically looking to unwind, I enjoy many cannabis pre-rolls and an episode of Office Hours Live with Tim Heidecker!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d describe us as your favourite 80’s hits covered by a 90’s grungy rock band in a highly danceable / head-banging way! One time during the COVID era, a reviewer said my vocal cords were as thin as my mask strings! I admit that trying to cover Peter Cetera was out of range, but I gave it my all! Still made me cringe!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Surprisingly, we have never done a sing-a-long! When we hang out as a band, we generally are at a restaurant, and I’m treating!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I was starstruck when I first got to meet Gowan! Turns out this band got the attention of some of his people, and after some meetups, we ended up hanging out with the legend himself! He is a salt of the earth man with a storied career! I’m still starstruck!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part about being a musician is getting to play fun shows in cool venues with some of my best buds. If it all ended, I think my dream job would be to make my own TV show or movies!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted to be asked to play live on whatever podcast / radio show / or platform the interviewer is from! I enjoy the raw live-to-air performances! I’m tired of answering the question – ‘are you worried hardcore fans of the original songs will be ultra-critical of your versions?’ This thought doesn’t cross my mind!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

We did a cover of the song “Patio Lanterns” by Kim Mitchell, and right before the recording began, I suffered a fall on some stairs! It messed up my back and affected my vocal performance! It also didn’t help my live performance in the music video! I would like a do-over!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

If I could go back in time, I would be involved in the making of Gowan’s album Strange Dirty World – even if it meant just making them coffee and cleaning the bathroom! That record is a beauty! I want to cover the album as a whole!

MOONLIGHT DESIRES LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews