From a build-a-bear Iggy Pop to cat fights to Rainforest Cafes, we start with Mom Rock and discuss their new album and much more. One of our personal favorite interviews this year. After this interview, we are counting down the days till Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock.

Nashville-based rock trio, Mom Rock — Curtis Heimburger (vocals, guitar), Tara Maggiulli (bass, vocals) and Wilson Reardon (drums) — craft bouncy rock ‘n’ roll anthems charged up by airtight pop hooks and one-liners. Today, they deliver their new single,“Real Tough Life,” from their debut LP, Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock, due October 13.

The ska-inspired shuffle radiates with the high energy of a quintessential Mom Rock tune and the hidden cynicism of classic pop-punk songs; the track is a reality check wrapped up in a feel-good groove. The mantra-like refrain, “It’s a real tough life, and you only get one try,” ignites before a wild fretboard-burning solo, leaving ample room for head-banging.  

Stream / Download “Real Tough Life” here. 

Pre-Save Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock here. 

“Real Tough Life” catapults off the releases of their previous singles, “My Way” (June 30) and “Close Your Eyes” (August 4). “It’s a deceptively dark song disguised as a super dance-y number,” Tara explains. “It’s a tough life, we only get one, so don’t take it too seriously and be as ridiculous and outrageous as possible.” The band seemingly lives this mantra every day, jumping around stages in their matching jumpsuits and unapologetically rocking out until their heart’s content.

Mom Rock initially came to life back in 2017. As the story goes, the Vancouver-born Curtis met Wilson in class at Berklee College of Music. A year later, Long Island-native and Northeastern student Tara completed the lineup. Together, the musicians bonded over a shared obsession with The Cars and Weezer and quietly buzzed in the local scene. The group performed at the kind of house parties you’d see in turn-of-the-century R-rated comedies, but they immediately stuck out like a sore thumb (in the most coordinated way possible). “Everyone was wearing skinny jeans and flannels, so we looked like The Wiggles with our jumpsuits,” recalls Tara.

During 2019, an impromptu upload of “Conversation” tallied over 1.5 million Spotify streams. On its heels, “Grand Romantic Life” generated north of 3.5 million Spotify streams, followed by the I Wish Every Day Was Today EP [2020] and a song with a happy end EP [2021]. They also notably made waves as “Rolling Stone’s 2022 Hot Band” and toured with Spill Canvas in addition to gracing the bills of festivals a la Shaky Knees and Music Midtown.

2023 saw them assemble what would become Now That’s What I Call Mom Rock. “It synthesizes everything we’ve done previously, but in a more grown-up way,” Tara goes on. “We maintained the same catchy and danceable vibe. However, it’s a little more sophisticated. We tried to emulate how you would hear these songs live.”

“There’s something for everyone on this record,” she leaves off. “We combine a lot of different elements and sounds from various genres. For 25 minutes, we hope you forget about your worries, dance in the kitchen, and have a good time. That’s why we play music.”

In the end, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some wear capes, while others wear monochromatic jumpsuits, old school baseball uniforms, or matching lunch lady dresses. Mom Rock belongs to the latter category. Their powers may not avert existential catastrophe, but they can certainly rock a basement, boat, club, or festival stage. 

MOM ROCK ONLINE:

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