Walk the Moon

{{Short description|American pop/rock band}} {{about|the American rock band founded in Cincinnati in 2006|their album|Walk the Moon (album)|the band founded in Los Angeles in 1987|Alain Johannes|and|Natasha Shneider|other uses|Moonwalk (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Walk the Moon | image = Walk the Moon - 2019 Houston Love Street Music Fest.jpg | landscape = yes | caption = Walk the Moon at the 2019 Love Street Music Fest in Houston | alias = | origin = Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * Pop rock<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/walk-the-moon-announces-new-album-what-if-nothing-7980741/|title=Walk The Moon Announces New Album 'What If Nothing'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> * synth-rock<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/acdc-rock-bust-top-rock-albums/|title=AC/DC 'Bust's to No. 1 on Top Rock Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 24, 2017}}</ref> * new wave<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-secret-of-walk-the-moons-glittery-feel-good-rock-20150429|title=The Secret of Walk the Moon's Glittery Feel-Good Rock|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> }} | years_active = 2006–present | label = RCA | website = {{URL|walkthemoonband.com}} | current_members = * Nicholas Petricca * Sean Waugaman * Eli Maiman | past_members = * Adam Reifsnyder * Sam Cole * Ricky Human * Nick Lerangis * Kevin Ray * Chris Robinson * Adrian Galvin }}

'''Walk the Moon''' (stylized in all-caps) is an American rock band based in Cincinnati, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.walkthemoonband.com/about/|website=Walk The Moon|access-date=July 9, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805164803/http://www.walkthemoonband.com/about/|archive-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> Lead singer Nicholas Petricca started the band in 2006, while a student at Kenyon College, deriving the band's name from the song "Walking on the Moon" by The Police.<ref name="interview">{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Ilana|title=Face Time with Walk the Moon|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/walk-the-moon/#_|work=Interview Magazine|date=November 10, 2011 |publisher=Interview, Inc.|access-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref> Although the band was best known for their most successful hit single "Shut Up and Dance", other notable songs included "Anna Sun" and "One Foot".

Walk the Moon cited Talking Heads as influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/walk-the-moon/#page2|title=Face Time with WALK THE MOON|website=Interviewmagazine.com|date=November 10, 2011 }}</ref> The band's use of 1980s musical mainstays, such as keyboard and synthesizer, was also notable.

==History== ===2010–2011: Beginning, ''Anna Sun'' and ''i Want! i Want!''=== {{Main|I Want! I Want!}} The group independently released their debut studio album, ''I Want! I Want!'', in November 2010, receiving airplay for the track "Anna Sun" on multiple alternative radio stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicbids.com/band/walkthemoon/|title=About WALK THE MOON|author=WALK THE MOON|work=Sonicbids|access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> Along with the success of "Anna Sun", Alt Nation named them a band you need to {{not a typo|know for}} the summer of 2012. Influential music blog Neon Gold helped to break the band in January 2011, calling "Anna Sun" "the kind of stuff British A&R dreams, and major label bidding wars, are made of."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neongoldrecords.com/this-house-is-falling-apart/|title=THIS HOUSE IS FALLING APART. – Neon Gold Records|website=neongoldrecords.com|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-date=December 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231035248/http://neongoldrecords.com/this-house-is-falling-apart/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2011, Walk the Moon signed to RCA Records.

In 2011, the band members began to paint their faces for live performances and they would bring enough paint to share with audience members. They have claimed it has become a “live tradition”.<ref name="interview" /> Bonnaroo’s camera crew documented the painting process in a short video from the 2011 festival.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=June 11, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s19BiHKr4Q |title=Walk the Moon Backstage At Bonnaroo |publisher=BonnarooMusicFest |via=YouTube |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614102028/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s19BiHKr4Q |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |url-status=live |quote=Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, June 9–12, 2011, Manchester, Tennessee, CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF MAGIC}}</ref> The band played at the Sasquatch Music Festival and Firefly Music Festival. In these years, they were known for their energetic performances and tireless touring schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/38382/20150512/walk-moon-announce-talking-hard-2015-us-fall-tour.htm|title=Music Times|website=Musictimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6730066/walk-moon-miami-fillmore-live-review|title=Walk the Moon Bring Non-Stop Energy, But Also Finesse, to Miami Show: Live Review|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Before the release of their self-titled album, Walk the Moon joined many other performers at the Music Midtown festival and performed on the Great Southeast Music Hall Stage in Atlanta, Georgia in September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walk The Moon |url=http://lineup.musicmidtown.com/band/walk-the-moon |publisher=Midtown Music |access-date=December 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424132232/http://lineup.musicmidtown.com/band/walk-the-moon |archive-date=April 24, 2012 }}</ref> In spring 2011, the band went on a short tour with the west coast band Grouplove, as well as supporting Panic! at the Disco and Weezer on select dates. The band played on the main stage at the 20th Anniversary of Lollapalooza and also supported Local Natives in an Official Lollaplooza Aftershow at Lincoln Hall.

The band recorded ''i Want! i Want!'' with Chris Schmidt and Ben Cochran at Soap Floats Recording Studio in their hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and then self-released it. The lead single from the album, "Anna Sun", became a surprise hit in the summer of 2011 following an endorsement by the ''Esquire'' article "30 Summer Songs Every Man Should Listen To".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/the-side/music/summer-songs-2011-walk-the-moon#fbIndex30 |title=Walk the Moon – Summer Songs 2011 |publisher=Esquire |date=July 30, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229232443/http://www.esquire.com/the-side/music/summer-songs-2011-walk-the-moon |archive-date=February 29, 2012 }}</ref> The song was written by Petricca and New York songwriter Nick Lerangis as their time at Kenyon College came to an end. "It's about college, about maintaining that little bit of being a kid," Petricca said. "Don't be afraid to play."<ref name="LastCall">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnWgv4dOaY |title=WALK THE MOON on Last Call with Carson Daly 4/1/11 |publisher=YouTube |date=April 5, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527011417/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnWgv4dOaY |archive-date=May 27, 2014 }}</ref> The song was named after one of their favorite teachers. It was named song of the summer by MTV and Seventeen Mag, and one of the top songs of the year by Amazon. It has been officially remixed by Fool's Gold and received a Trouble Productions remix by Albert Hammond Jr.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-walk-the-moon-anna-sun-trouble-productions-remix-20120517|title=Song Premiere: Walk the Moon, 'Anna Sun (Trouble Productions Remix)'|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Anna Sun rose to the number one spot on Alt. Nation on Sirius XM Radio. "Anna Sun" was added to the video rotation of American Eagle Outfitters stores in May 2011. It was featured on the hit TV show ''Vampire Diaries'' in the first episode of season three.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ruthie|url=http://vampirediariesonline.com/music/vampire-diaries-music-episode-3-01-the-birthday-song-list/|title=Vampire Diaries Music – Episode 3.01 – The Birthday – Song List – Vampire Diaries Spoilers and News|website=vampirediariesonline.com|publisher=Vampire Diaries Spoilers and News|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224141201/http://vampirediariesonline.com/music/vampire-diaries-music-episode-3-01-the-birthday-song-list/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was also the free single of the week on iTunes for the week of May 15.

Filmed in 2011 in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood,<ref name="ucmag" /> the "Anna Sun" music video was released to coincide with the album.<ref name="ucmag">{{cite news|title=UC alumnus Patrick Meier directs Anna Sun video in Cincinnati |url=http://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/anna_sun_video.html |work=UC Magazine |date=2012 |access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ricci|first=Benjamin |url=http://performermag.com/2011/03/01/record-review-walk-the-moon/ |title=Performer Magazine The Musician's Resource|publisher=Performer Publications, Inc|date=March 1, 2011|access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> The video was shot on-location at the Cincinnati Mockbee building, as well as at a city park. It was directed and produced by Patrick Meier of the Cincinnati company<ref name="ucmag" /> Contrast Productions, and features original choreography from Kim Popa of PONES Inc., as well as a cast full of the band's friends and locals from Cincinnati. MTV Hive calls the video a "hilariously choreographed, neon-colored and awesomely shot in one take" production.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jill Menze |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2693660/thoughts-on-walk-the-moon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202083330/http://www.mtv.com/news/2693660/thoughts-on-walk-the-moon/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2016|title=Walk the Moon Get Their Neon Kicks &#124; MTV|publisher= Viacom International Inc.|date=April 22, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref>

===2012–2013: ''Walk the Moon'' and ''Tightrope EP''=== {{Main|Walk the Moon (album)}} upright=1.2|thumb|Walk the Moon in 2012. Left to right: Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman, Nicholas Petricca, Eli Maiman. The band's self-titled major label debut ''Walk the Moon'' was released by RCA Records on June 19, 2012. The album included a re-recorded version of "Anna Sun."<ref>{{cite web|last=Coachman|first=Kirsten|title=Interview: Walk The Moon's Eli Maiman Discusses the Band's New Album|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Interview-Walk-The-Moon-s-Eli-Maiman-Discusses-3655817.php#page-3|work=SeattlePi|date=June 22, 2012 |publisher=Hearst Seattle Media, LLC|access-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref> The band appeared on the ''Late Show with David Letterman'' the day the album released.

On June 27, 2012, the band joined many other performers at Summerfest Music Festival and performed on the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Staff|title=Summerfest 2012 schedule|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/festivals/schedule-ju5pjtf-160044405.html|access-date=July 10, 2016|publisher=The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=June 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Summerfest 2012|url=http://www.summerfest.com/artist/e1631e5d-5c49-48c4-8359-9ba4e38fa9f5|publisher=Summerfest.com|access-date=December 24, 2014}} {{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> The first single was "Anna Sun" which peaked at number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Alternative chart and number 20 on the ''Billboard'' Rock Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=walk the moon|chart=all}}|title=Walk The Moon Billboard Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> Also in 2012, Walk the Moon played in the iTunes Festival in London, appeared in KROQ's Weenie Roast 2012, and was the supporting act for Fun on their European tour. Their song “Quesadilla” was added to the official FIFA 13 soundtrack and their second single, “Tightrope” was used in a commercial for the HP Envy 4 Ultrabook laptop.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robinson|first= Joe|url=http://diffuser.fm/hp-envy-4-ultrabook-hot-potato-2012-commercial-whats-the-song|title=HP Envy 4 Ultrabook 'Hot Potato' 2012 Commercial – What's the Song?|work=Diffuser.fm|publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc.|date= August 16, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> and was featured in the game ''Saints Row IV''. Petricca appeared on the song "Finale" by Madeon, which was included on the FIFA 13 soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gregg|url=http://www.dropbeatsnotbombs.com/2012/05/madeon-feat-nicholas-petricca-finale-original-mix/|title=Madeon feat. Nicholas Petricca – Finale (Original Mix)|publisher=Dropbeatsnotbombs.com|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=December 24, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224072714/http://www.dropbeatsnotbombs.com/2012/05/madeon-feat-nicholas-petricca-finale-original-mix/|archive-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In July and August 2014 before the release of ''Talking Is Hard'', Walk the Moon was the opener of Panic! at the Disco on the This Is Gospel Tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/panic_at_the_disco_announce_the_gospel_tour_with_walk_the_moon|title=Panic! At The Disco announce The Gospel Tour with Walk The Moon|last=Crane|first=Matt|date=February 24, 2014|website=Alternative Press|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref>

On January 22, 2013 they released the ''Tightrope EP'', which is made up of Tightrope, three new songs, and a cover of "Burning Down the House".

===2014–2016: Breakout with ''Talking Is Hard''=== {{Main|Talking Is Hard}}

On September 10, 2014, Walk the Moon released the single "Shut Up and Dance" (stylized as "SHUT UP + DANCE") in advance of their new album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kraus|first=Brian |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/walk_the_moon_release_new_single_shut_up_and_dance|title=Walk The Moon release new single, "Shut Up And Dance" – Alternative Press|work=Alternative Press Magazine|date=September 9, 2014|access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> It was written by the band members and songwriters Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon. The song is based on an experience frontman Nicholas Petricca had at a Los Angeles nightclub. His girlfriend invited him to dance, inspiring the title, which he envisioned as an anthem for letting go of frustration and having fun. The song reached number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and became a number-one hit on the magazine's Alternative Songs chart and the Hot Adult Contemporary chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2015-08-15/adult-contemporary|title=Adult Contemporary|magazine=Billboard|date=August 15, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015}}</ref> Ryan Seed of ''Billboard'' gave "Shut Up and Dance" four and a half stars out of five.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/singles-reviews-lorde-one-direction-fergie-walk-the-moon-azealia-banks-carrie-underwood-elliphant|title=The Best and Worst Singles of the Week – From Lorde to One Direction|magazine=Billboard|date=October 3, 2015|access-date=September 23, 2015}}</ref> Outside the United States, the song topped the charts in Poland, peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom, the top twenty of the charts in New Zealand and Sweden, and the top thirty of the charts in the Netherlands. The band has performed "Shut Up and Dance" on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'', ''Late Night with Seth Meyers'', ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'', ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'', and ''Good Morning America''. In December 2014, the band released their second major-label studio album, ''Talking Is Hard''.

During October 2014, Walk the Moon released a series of pictures and videos on their Facebook page that hinted at the album's title. The title was officially revealed to be ''Talking Is Hard'' on October 29, 2014, with a release date set for December 2.<ref>{{cite web|last=DeGroot |first=Joey |url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/13973/20141030/walk-moon-announce-release-new-album-talking-hard.htm|title=Walk The Moon Announce Release of New Album 'Talking Is Hard'|work=Music Times|date=October 30, 2014|access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> On November 10, 2014, the band released the cover artwork and song listing for ''Talking is Hard''. On November 17, 2014, they released "Different Colors" as the second single off the album.<ref>{{cite AV media |date= November 28, 2014 |title=Talking Is Hard |medium=Digital, CD, Vinyl |language=en |url= https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/talking-is-hard/id936832274|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141118162940/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/talking-is-hard/id936832274|url-status= dead|archive-date= November 18, 2014|access-date=December 24, 2014|website=iTunes |publisher=RCA Records}}</ref> On November 24, 2014, the album was surprise released on Spotify a week before its set release date. On December 2, 2014, the album was released in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. The album also charted at number 26 on the ''Billboard'' 200 in its first week of release.

In July 2015, Walk the Moon performed "Shut Up and Dance" in front of a hometown crowd at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park, prior to the start of the Home Run Derby.<ref>{{cite news|last1=ESPN Music|title=WALK THE MOON Return to Cincinnati to Perform at Home Run Derby|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/music/post/_/id/8253/walk-the-moon-return-to-cincinnati-to-perform-at-home-run-derby|access-date=July 10, 2016|agency=ESPN GO|publisher=Disney Interactive|date=July 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cochran |first=Carrie |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/videos/entertainment/2015/07/15/30194689 |title=Walk The Moon plays the Home Run Derby |publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=July 15, 2015}}</ref> On July 24, 2015, they joined Taylor Swift on stage at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, during her ''1989'' tour to perform "Shut Up and Dance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/article/2015/07/25/taylor-swift-walk-the-moon-1989-tour/|title=See Taylor Swift sing 'Shut Up and Dance' with Walk the Moon on her '1989' tour|date=July 25, 2015|website=Ew.com}}</ref> On November 16, 2015, the group sang the national anthem preceding a Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans, which was played at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Walk the Moon performed "Shut Up and Dance" live at the 43rd Annual American Music Awards (AMA) on November 22, 2015.<ref name="BillboardAMAperformance">{{cite news|last1=Platon|first1=Adelle|title=Walk The Moon Performs 'Shut Up and Dance' at the 2015 American Music Awards|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/amas/6770321/walk-the-moon-shut-up-and-dance-amas-2015-american-music-awards|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=November 22, 2015}}</ref> They were first-time AMA nominees for:<ref name="AMA2015">{{cite magazine|author=Billboard Staff|title=2015 American Music Awards: Taylor Swift Leads Nominations|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/amas/6723082/american-music-awards-2015-nominees|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=October 13, 2015}}</ref> * New Artist of the Year * Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group * Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

The band's competition for New Artist of the Year included: Sam Hunt (winner), Fetty Wap, Tove Lo, and The Weeknd. For Favorite Pop/Rock Band, the competition was One Direction (winner) and Maroon 5. The other finalists for the Favorite Alternative Rock award were Fall Out Boy (winner) and Hozier.

On January 1, 2016, Walk the Moon performed "Shut Up and Dance" and "Work This Body" on Dick Clark's ''New Year's Rockin' Eve'' in New York. The band is also featured on the Knocks' song titled "Best For Last", which was released on their debut album entitled ''55''. The album was released on March 4, 2016, under the label Big Beat Records.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grebey|first1=James|title=Reviews: The Knocks, '55' {{!}} SPIN|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/03/review-the-knocks-55/|website=spin.com|publisher=SpinMedia Group|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>

In April 2016, Walk the Moon announced their "Work This Body" tour would be canceled due to an illness in Petricca's family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkthemoonband.com/updates/2016/4/15/work-this-body-tour-cancelled|title=Work This Body Tour Cancelled|access-date=September 15, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20170916022605/http://www.walkthemoonband.com/updates/2016/4/15/work-this-body-tour-cancelled|archive-date=September 16, 2017}}</ref> The tour resumed in May of that year. The same month, their previously recorded collaboration with Steve Aoki and Boehm, "Back 2 U", was released as a single. In June, their rendition of the "Ghostbusters" theme song was included on the soundtrack for the 2016 film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2016/06/03/fall-out-boy-missy-elliott-ghostbusters-theme/|title=Fall Out Boy, Missy Elliott Remake 'Ghostbusters' Theme Song|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010637/http://radio.com/2016/06/03/fall-out-boy-missy-elliott-ghostbusters-theme/|archive-date=September 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2017–2019: ''What If Nothing''=== {{Main|What If Nothing}} [[File:Walk the Moon - 2019 Mandalay Bay Las Vegas.jpg|thumb|Walk the Moon opening for Muse in Las Vegas, March 2019]]

In August 2017, Petricca performed solo at LoveLoud fest, a music festival benefitting LGBTQ+ youth in Utah.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weaver|first1=Hilary|title=How the Weekend's Biggest Music Festival Wound Up in Utah|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/08/dan-reynolds-is-hosting-loveloud-festival-in-utah|access-date=September 22, 2017|work=Vanity Fair|date=August 24, 2017}}</ref> The next month, the group released the single "One Foot" from their upcoming third album, along with an accompanying music video.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Stubblebine|first1=Allison|title=Walk the Moon Release High-Energy Single & Video, 'One Foot': Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/walk-the-moon-single-one-foot-7973684/|access-date=September 22, 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=September 22, 2017}}</ref> On September 26, 2017, Walk the Moon announced their third studio album ''What If Nothing''. On October 13, 2017, the band released their second single from the album, "Headphones".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/walkthemoon/photos/a.439177242557.243976.8204082557/10155859665672558/?type=3&theater|title=Walk the Moon|website=Facebook.com}}</ref> On October 27, 2017, Walk the Moon released their third single from the album, "Surrender".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/walkthemoon/photos/a.439177242557.243976.8204082557/10155928314557558/?type=3&theater|title=WALK THE MOON|website=Facebook.com}}</ref>

''What If Nothing'' was released on November 10, 2017. The album peaked at number 40on the ''Billboard'' 200, while its lead single "One Foot" peaked at #1 on the ''Billboard'' Alternative Songs chart. In November the band also kicked off its Press Restart Tour with supporting act Company of Thieves. The tour began November 19 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and ended on April 14, 2018, in Glasgow, Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkthemoonband.com/#tour-dates|title=home|website=Walk the Moon|language=en-US|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref> ''What If Nothing'' debuted at #6 on the U.S. iTunes charts. The fourth single from the album, "Kamikaze", was released on April 17, 2018. The fifth single, "Tiger Teeth", was released on October 24, 2018.

In 2018, the band was featured on the song "Home" by American alt-pop artist morgxn.

On January 14, 2019, the band was announced by Muse as their opening act during their Simulation Theory North American tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.muse.mu/news/north-american-tour-support-309796|title=North American Tour Support|website=Muse Official Website|date=January 14, 2019 }}</ref>

===2019–present: ''Heights'', hiatus, and ''The Liftaway'' === {{Main|Heights (album)}} Throughout 2019, band released stand-alone singles "Timebomb", "Eat Your Heart Out", and "Lose You Again" featuring Braves.

On July 20, 2019, the band performed at Houston's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, at the first Moon landing 50th anniversary concert.

In late 2019, the band began working on a new full album, the plans of which were somewhat hindered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the band pressed ahead with recording and mixing the new album, with each member working in isolation and collaborating through Zoom. No timeline for the completion and release of the album was ever announced.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nattress |first1=Katrina |title=Walk The Moon Is Making A New Album In Quarantine |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2020-04-23-walk-the-moon-is-making-a-new-album-in-quarantine/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=June 4, 2020 |date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

On December 21, 2020, Petricca made an Instagram post on the Walk the Moon account announcing that Ray was no longer a part of the band due to "firsthand information which leads us to conclude that [he] has acted out of alignment with our values." Petricca, Waugaman, and Maiman would continue recording and performing as Walk the Moon, and Ray would not be included on the album they were recording.<ref name="IHR 12.21.2020">{{cite news |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2020-12-21-walk-the-moon-kick-bassist-kevin-ray-out-of-the-band/ |title=Walk The Moon 'Part Ways' With Bassist Kevin Ray |last=Nattress |first=Katrina |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=June 10, 2021 |date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

In July 2021, the band announced the title of their fifth album called ''Heights'', their first studio album in four years, with the first single called "Can You Handle My Love??" releasing on July 14,<ref>{{cite tweet |author=WALK THE MOON |author-link=WALK THE MOON |user=WALKTHEMOONband |number=1414622676283428864 |date=July 12, 2021 |title=the music video for our new song "Can You Handle My Love??" drops WEDNESDAY along with two other songs from our next album, HEIGHTS. video will premiere on YouTube + Facebook 12pm ET July 14th.set a reminder.we'll be there.will you?? MORE NEWS TO COME TODAY 😴 💭 🛩 https://t.co/ufJlmlmjy9 |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807000522/https://twitter.com/WALKTHEMOONband/status/1414622676283428864 |archive-date=August 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> along with the tracks "Giants" and "I'm Good". The release was followed by dates for their Dream Plane Tour in Fall 2021.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=WALK THE MOON |author-link=WALK THE MOON |user=WALKTHEMOONband |number=1414664503262732288 |date=July 12, 2021 |title=DREAM PLANE TOUR is happening. sign up for the Pre-Sale code at https://t.co/Ghsxd7ZFdY https://t.co/vFhNXhXZNg |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811045003/https://twitter.com/walkthemoonband/status/1414664503262732288 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 17, 2021, the band released their second single "Fire In Your House" which features Johnny and Jesse Clegg. On October 28, 2021, they released the single "Rise Up".

In late 2021 the band released the song "Win Anyway" for the film ''Rumble''.

On July 15, 2023, Petricca announced that the band would be going on an indefinite hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Walk The Moon Announce Indefinite Hiatus |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/walk_the_moon_announce_indefinite_hiatus |website=Exclaim! |access-date=July 29, 2023 |language=en |date=July 14, 2023}}</ref>

On November 17, 2023, Walk the Moon released ''The Liftaway'', which the band described as a "farewell-for-now album". The album contains a new version of the title track (originally from ''i Want! i Want!''), two new studio tracks which draw significantly on stylistic elements from the band's earlier music, three rereleases of tracks from ''i Want! i Want!'', and three remixes of other Walk the Moon tracks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.1057thepoint.com/music-news/walk-the-moon-announces-farewell-for-now-album-the-liftaway/ | title=WALK THE MOON announces "farewell-for-now album," 'The Liftaway' | date=November 10, 2023 }}</ref>

==Band members== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Current members * Nicholas William Petricca – lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion <small>(2006–present)</small>,<ref name="mick1">{{cite web|title=Walk The Moon|website=Mick Management|url=http://www.mickmgmt.com/artists/walk-the-moon/|access-date=June 26, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622105529/http://www.mickmgmt.com/artists/walk-the-moon/|archive-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> bass <small>(2009–2010, 2020–present)</small> * Sean Byron Waugaman – drums, percussion, backing vocals <small>(2010–present)</small> * Eli Brose Maiman – guitar, backing vocals <small>(2011–present)</small>, bass <small>(2020–present)</small>

;Current touring musicians * Lachlan "Lucky" West &ndash; keyboards, electronic drums, percussion, backing vocals <small>(2017–present)</small>, bass <small>(2020–present)</small> {{col-2}} ;Former members * Sam Cole – guitar, backing vocals <small>(2006–2008)</small><ref name="rateyourmusic"/><ref name="BTH">{{cite web|last=Staff|url=http://www.fox19.com/story/29220402/flashback-walk-the-moon-before-the-hits|title=Flashback: Walk the Moon before the hits|work=FOX19|publisher=Frankly and Raycom Media|date=June 2, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015}}</ref> * Ricky Human – drums <small>(2006–2008)</small><ref name="rateyourmusic"/><ref name="BTH" /> * Adam Reifsnyder – bass, backing vocals <small>(2006–2009)</small><ref name="rateyourmusic">{{cite web|title=Nicholas Petricca, Sam Cole, Adam Reifsnyder, Ricky Human|url=http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/walk_the_moon_f1|website=Rate Your Music|publisher=Sonemic, Inc|access-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name="discogs2" >{{cite web|title=Walk The Moon (2) – i want! i want!|url=https://www.discogs.com/Walk-The-Moon-i-want-i-want/release/4773364|website=Discogs|access-date=July 9, 2016|date=November 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name="songsmusic" /> * Adrian Galvin - drums <small>(2008–2010)</small><ref>[https://www.riffmagazine.com/features/yoke-lore-seeks-to-slay-his-future/ Yoke Lore seeks to slay his future, takes holistic musical outlook]. ''Riff Magazine'', September 26, 2019.</ref> * Nick Lerangis – guitar, backing vocals <small>(2009)</small><ref name="discogs2" /><ref name="songsmusic">{{cite web|title=Walk The Moon|url=http://www.songspub.com/OneSheet/129/Walk%20The%20Moon|website=SONGS Music Publishing|access-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809070225/http://www.songspub.com/OneSheet/129/Walk%20The%20Moon|archive-date=August 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Lerangis {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nick-lerangis-mn0002882150/credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New on the Scene: The Hunting Party|url=http://www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/new-scene-hunting-party|website=The Bluegrass Situation|access-date=July 9, 2016|date=December 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917230803/http://www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/new-scene-hunting-party|archive-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McCabe|first1=David|title=Here's Vintage Walk the Moon Playing the Song That Made Them Famous|url=https://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/02/21/heres-vintage-walk-the-moon-playing-the-song-that-made-them-famous/|website=The Thrill|access-date=July 9, 2016|date=February 21, 2012}}</ref> * Chris Robinson – guitar, backing vocals <small>(2010–2011)</small><ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Brian|title=Walk the Moon|url=http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-22500-walk_the_moon.html|newspaper=Cincinnati CityBeat|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905120304/http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-22500-walk_the_moon.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Baker|first1=Brian|title=Walk the Moon|url=http://www.citybeat.com/music/article/13012681/walk-the-moon|website=City Beat|access-date=July 9, 2016|date=January 14, 2011}}</ref> * Kevin Colter Ray – bass, backing vocals <small>(2010–2020)</small><ref name="IHR 12.21.2020"/>

;Former touring musicians * Brian Witon Sr. – percussion, backing vocals <small>(2010–2013)</small>

{{col-3}} {{col-end}}

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2006 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2006

Colors = id:Leadvoc value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_keyboards id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion id:Vocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album

BarData = bar:Nicholas text:"Nicholas Petricca" bar:Sam text:"Sam Cole" bar:Nick text:"Nick Lerangis" bar:Chris text:"Chris Robinson" bar:Eli text:"Eli Maiman" bar:Adam text:"Adam Reifsnyder" bar:Kevin text:"Kevin Ray" bar:Ricky text:"Ricky Human" bar:Adrian text:"Adrian Galvin" bar:Sean text:"Sean Waugaman"

PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Nicholas from:start till:end color:leadvoc bar:Nicholas from:01/01/2010 till:10/01/2010 color:bass width:7 bar:Nicholas from:12/21/2020 till:end color:bass width:7 bar:Nicholas from:start till:end color:perc width:3 bar:Sean from:10/01/2010 till:end color:drums bar:Sean from:10/01/2010 till:end color:perc width:7 bar:Sean from:10/01/2010 till:end color:vocals width:3 bar:Ricky from:start till:01/01/2008 color:drums bar:Adrian from:01/01/2008 till:09/01/2010 color:drums bar:Kevin from:09/01/2010 till:12/21/2020 color:bass bar:Kevin from:09/01/2010 till:12/21/2020 color:vocals width:3 bar:Adam from:start till:01/01/2010 color:bass bar:Adam from:start till:01/01/2010 color:vocals width:3 bar:Eli from:01/01/2011 till:end color:guitar bar:Eli from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals width:3 bar:Eli from:12/21/2020 till:end color:bass width:7 bar:Chris from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2011 color:guitar bar:Chris from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2011 color:vocals width:3 bar:Nick from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2010 color:guitar bar:Nick from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2010 color:vocals width:3 bar:Sam from:start till:01/01/2009 color:guitar bar:Sam from:start till:01/01/2009 color:vocals width:3

LineData = at:11/16/2010 color:black layer:back at:06/15/2012 color:black layer:back at:11/28/2014 color:black layer:back at:11/10/2017 color:black layer:back at:11/12/2021 color:black layer:back

}}

The album ''i Want! i Want!'' was released in late 2010 as shown by the bar on the timeline, but it was recorded earlier when the band lineup consisted of Petricca, Lerangis, Reifsnyder, and Galvin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Monger |first1=James |title=Walk The Moon Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/walk-the-moon-mn0000230297/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>

==Discography== {{Main|Walk the Moon discography}}

'''Studio albums''' * ''I Want! I Want!'' (2010) * ''Walk the Moon'' (2012) * ''Talking Is Hard'' (2014) * ''What If Nothing'' (2017) *''Heights'' (2021)

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !Organization !Nominations !Award !Result !Ref. |- | 2012 || mtvU Woodie Awards || Walk the Moon || Breaking Woodie || {{nom}} || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/skrillex-jay-z-black-keys-up-for-woodie-awards-506252/|title=Skrillex, Jay-Z, Black Keys Up for Woodie Awards|first=R. J.|last=Cubarrubia|website=Billboard.com|date=February 9, 2012|access-date=May 19, 2026}}</ref> |- | 2013 || mtvU Woodie Awards || Walk the Moon || Woodie of the Year || {{nom}} || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/fun-Among-Nominees-of-mtvUs-2013-WOODIE-AWARDS-20130212|title=fun. Among Nominees of mtvU's 2013 WOODIE AWARDS|first=Caryn|last=Robbins|date=January 1, 1970|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=May 19, 2026}}</ref> |- |rowspan="5"| 2015 || Teen Choice Awards ||Rowspan="2"|"Shut Up and Dance" || Choice Music: Party Song || {{nominated}} ||<ref>{{cite web|title=Wave 2 Nominees |url=http://www.teenchoice.com/article/wave-2-nominees |work=Teen Choice |date=July 7, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411172500/http://www.teenchoice.com/article/wave-2-nominees |archive-date=April 11, 2016 }}</ref> |- | MTV Video Music Award || Best Rock Video || {{nominated}} ||<ref name="VMA2015">{{cite magazine|last= Stutz|first= Colin|url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/6634773/2015-mtv-vma-nominees |title= 2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran & More|magazine=Billboard|date=July 21, 2015|access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> |- |rowspan="3"| American Music Award ||Rowspan="3"|Walk the Moon || New Artist of the Year || {{nominated}} ||<ref name="AMA2015" /> |- |Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group || {{nominated}} ||<ref name="AMA2015"/> |- |Favorite Artist -<br /> Alternative Rock || {{nominated}} ||<ref name="AMA2015" /> |- |rowspan="8"| 2016 ||rowspan="3"| iHeartRadio Music Awards ||Rowspan="2"|"Shut Up and Dance" || Song of the Year || {{nom}} ||<ref name="iMA2016">{{cite magazine|last1=Lynch|first1=Joe|title=iHeartRadio Music Awards Announce 2016 Nominees, Performers & New Categories|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6873866/iheartradio-music-awards-2016-nominees-performers|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=February 9, 2016}}</ref> |- |Alternative Rock<br /> Song of the Year |{{nom}} ||<ref name="iMA2016" /> |- | Walk the Moon || Best Duo/Group of the Year || {{nom}} ||<ref name="iMA2016" /> |- |Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards || Walk the Moon|| Favorite New Artist || {{nom}} || <ref name="KCA2016">{{cite news|last1=Grant|first1=Stacey|title=Here Are The Nominees For The 2016 Kids' Choice Awards|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2734729/kids-choice-awards-2016-kcas-nickelodeon-nominees-list/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160203192808/http://www.mtv.com/news/2734729/kids-choice-awards-2016-kcas-nickelodeon-nominees-list/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom International Inc|date=February 2, 2016}}</ref> |- |ASCAP Pop Music Awards || Walk the Moon|| Vanguard Award || {{won}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/scene/vpage/ascap-awards-2016-john-mellencamp-walk-the-moon-max-martin-1201762485/ |title=John Mellencamp: If Music Was Protected Online Like TV, 'We Would Be in Better Shape' |date=April 28, 2016 |website=Variety |access-date=December 20, 2017}}</ref> |- |rowspan="3"|Billboard Music Award || "Shut Up and Dance"|| Top Radio Song || {{won}} ||<ref name="BMA2016">{{cite magazine|author=Billboard Staff|title=Billboard Music Awards 2016: Complete Winners List|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/7378353/billboard-music-awards-2016-complete-winners-list|access-date=July 10, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=May 22, 2016}}</ref> |- | "Shut Up and Dance" || Top Rock Song || {{won}} ||<ref name="BMA2016" /> |- || Walk the Moon|| Top Rock Artist || {{nom}} ||<ref name="BMA2016" /> |- | 2018 | New Music Awards | Walk the Moon | TOP40 New Group of the Year | {{won}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://newmusicweekly.com/2018-new-music-awards-winners/|title=2018 New Music Awards Winners|work=New Music Weekly|date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref> |}

==Explanatory notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{cc}} *[http://walkthemoonband.com/ Official website] *{{allmusic}} *{{musicbrainz artist}} *[https://cincymusic.com/bands/walkthemoon Walk the Moon History at CincyMusic]

{{Walk the Moon}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2006 establishments in Ohio Category:American pop rock music groups Category:American electronic rock musical groups Category:Indie rock musical groups from Ohio Category:Musical groups from Cincinnati Category:RCA Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 2006