What began as a form of escapism from existential angst has blossomed into a fully realized artistic vision for San Diego’s dream pop quintet, moondaddy. In just a few short years, lead singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Cara Potiker has transformed from crafting hazy bedroom demos to captivating audiences with the band’s hypnotic live performances. With their latest EP, Lightwave Lightwave, moondaddy has channeled the raw energy of those performances into the studio, delivering a bold, all-analog recording that feels both fearless and deeply immersive.
“This is the first project that sounds exactly the way I want my music to sound,” Cara reflects. “I used to let others steer my vision, but this time I took full control. The manic spontaneity of recording to tape really allowed the music to come alive.”
Lightwave Lightwave captures an impressive balance of the ethereal and the tangible, blending vintage warmth with contemporary dream pop atmospheres. Recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and co-produced by Manuel Calderon (known for his work with Animal Collective, Portugal. The Man, and Beach House), the EP was mastered straight from the tapes to lacquer by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering, ensuring every sonic detail is preserved.
moondaddy’s sound is emotionally charged yet lyrically abstract, crafting evocative landscapes that shimmer with both light and shadow. Cara’s vocals glide through these tracks with an unpredictable grace—sometimes hauntingly low and brooding, other times soaring with a phoenix-like intensity. The four-track collection doesn’t dwell on linear storytelling, but rather captures poetic fragments of feeling, leaving space for listeners to interpret and connect on their own terms. The band’s meticulous arrangements unfold patiently, building immersive soundscapes filled with lush synths, dreamy guitar lines, and intricate rhythms.
In the studio, the band—featuring Julia Rahm on synths and harmony vocals, Patrick Heaney on drums, Rob Wren on bass, and Gabe Poissant on guitar—recorded directly to tape, embracing the creative constraints of analog. “Recording to tape brings an immediate sense of finality,” Cara explains. “There’s no room to endlessly tweak. You have to commit.”
The EP’s spirit of spontaneity carries over from their live show, which has earned the band a reputation for its transcendent energy. On stage, moondaddy’s performances are elevated by visually stunning projections created by NYC-based artist Blair Neal, adding another dimension to their dreamy aesthetic.
With Lightwave Lightwave, moondaddy has captured the essence of their live presence within the studio walls, delivering a sonic experience that is atmospheric, enigmatic, and timeless. As the EP drops on vinyl and streaming platforms, moondaddy invites listeners to drift away into their analog dreamworld, where the lines between the past, present, and future blur in shimmering waves of sound.