The Moaners

The Moaners emerged from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as a lean two-woman rock and roll duo that merges the visceral emotional force of blues with the taut drive of indie rock. Guitar and lead vocals belong to Melissa Swingle, earlier the frontwoman of Trailer Bride, while Laura King, once the drummer for the Chapel Hill outfit Grand National, supplies percussion and occasional guitar lines.

The pair first crossed paths during a shared bill between Trailer Bride and Grand National. Swingle admired King’s command of the drum kit and, once Trailer Bride disbanded, contacted her about forming a band centered more squarely on rock energy. They settled on the name the Moaners and, after sustained regional touring, signed with Chapel Hill’s Yep Roc label in 2004. Soon afterward they recorded their debut album, Dark Snack, under the guidance of Southern Culture on the Skids guitarist Rick Miller; the record appeared in early 2005. Two years later came Blackwing Yalobusha, produced by Jimbo Mathus, formerly of Squirrel Nut Zippers.