About Moonspeed

Discography

The origins of Moonspeed date back to 2002, when Jeff Suthers began to record layered compositions that were both relaxed and sonically energetic. Suthers based these recordings primarily on the sounds of driving acoustic guitars with interplaying synthesizer and electric guitar melodies. The "Moonspeed" EP and "Songs From The Sun" album were assembled out of this material, and both were distributed as a handmade limited release on Flight Approved Records in 2006.

On the eaves of winter 2007, preliminary and experimental rehearsals with a live four-piece ensemble were arranged with the intent of capturing the rhythmic tendencies and sonic layering found within the early Moonspeed recordings. The early live sessions contained both a trial of old material and a launch pad for new ideas and improvisations. This early cast included two electric guitars, bass, and drums. It was realized shortly thereafter that more players and sounds were necessary to fully realize the sonic nature of Moonspeed.

Slowly, members were added to the cast in order to create a fully layered live ensemble, and Suthers' longtime partner Shannon Stein was pulled into the mix as co-writer. From 2007-2010, Moonspeed played a handful of well-received shows around the Denver area (most notably the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks in 2008), recorded one full-length album, "Flowers of the Moon", and won a Westword music award. At its peak, the Moonspeed live band included 11 members:

Jeff Suthers - Electric Guitar, Vocals
Adam Shaffner - Bass
Ryan Sniegowski - Electric Guitar
James Barone - Drumset
Shannon Stein - Synthesizers, Percussion
Jim Sweeney - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Kit Peltzel - Drumset
Darren Cheek - Synthesizers
Hayley Helmericks- Percussion, Vocals, Melodica
Doug Spencer - Donkey Jaw, Wind Chimes, Percussion
Matthew Brown - Acoustic Guitar

In the fall of 2010, production work had barely gotten started for the next Moonspeed album when Suthers and Stein were forced to relocate, losing their long-time rehearsal space and recording studio. And the members of the live ensemble moved on to focus on their own musical ventures.

But Suthers and Stein still felt the call of Moonspeed, returning to those preliminary sessions many years later after setting up a new recording studio in their home. Little by little, between other musical projects and other life events, they built onto those sessions and carefully crafted new material, employing the same layering techniques as the previous Moonspeed compositions. The 2024 album "Sea of Stars" primarily features the core duo of Suthers and Stein, with contributions from other members of the Moonspeed family.