A Night with Lizard

On January 18th, I had the pleasure of seeing Lizard at Horus Hall in Fort Worth. Hailing from Denton, this rock band features Braven on lead guitar and vocals, Jake on rhythm guitar and vocals, Jaedon on drums, and Zack on bass. The evening unfolded with invigorating music, engaging conversations, and a palpable enthusiasm for the local music scene, serving as an exciting launch into a year brimming with live performances.

As the second act of the night, Lizard instantly captivated the audience with their vibrant energy. Their sound is a delightful blend of strong melodies and playful rhythms, punctuated by danceable riffs—perfect for conjuring up the spirit of revelry on the beach. Attending a Lizard show is an exhilarating experience that ignites a sense of thrill from start to finish.

It’s immediately clear when an artist possesses a true passion for their craft, and with Lizard, their love for performance is unmistakable. Watching them take the stage is a testament to their calling as entertainers. The infectious energy they pour into their music reverberates through the crowd, leaving everyone buzzing.

Lizard’s commitment to the music community shines not just through their performance but also in how they uplift fellow artists. They demonstrate this camaraderie by inciting mosh pits during other bands' sets and playfully inviting their peers on stage for a cheeky moment mid-performance. After engaging with the band members, their genuine warmth and amiability became even more apparent.

With a night filled with remarkable talent and a contagious celebration of the local music scene, Saturday’s show at Horus Hall marked the ideal kickoff to the year’s musical journey. Heartfelt thanks to Lizard, Rosa Monte Rosa, and Rats of Mars for such an unforgettable evening.

Interview: Momoyeaux on the Importance of Staying True to Your Emotions

Momoyeaux is an emo-indie rock band from North Texas composed of Dom (vocals, guitar, lyrics), Teejay (bass), and Sam (drums). I have had the privilege of working with the band for the last few months. Alongside the growth of our friendship, I have become a fan of both their music and our conversation. At their most recent show at the Asylum in Denton, we spoke about friendship, emotions, and anime. 

Where did the name Momoyeaux originate from? 

Dom: My brother stayed with me at my house for a while. I walked into the room one day, and he was playing video games or whatever, and his gamer tag was Momoyeaux. I [saw it] and was like, wait, that's really sick! He told me later that it was a Toho anime reference. 

Have you always played by that name? 

Teejay: No. 

Dom: This is our third rebrand. First, we were ‘Famish’ and then ‘Bug Button.’ 

Teejay: Yup. Pretty much anytime Dom comes back to America, we switch it up. 

How long have you known each other, and how did you meet? 

Teejay: I met Dom in 2017. I was working at the Mellow Mushroom in Frisco, and their GM knew the bartender from the Flower Mound location. He gave me his number and told me that he was a drummer and they needed a guitarist. So, I called him and then went to Dom’s house in Flower Mound, and that’s how I met him. 

Makayla (to Dom): You let strangers in your house?

Dom:  Well, I was with my band, and they were tough. 

Sam: I’ve known Dom for at least four years.

Dom: We met at a gig at Killer’s Tacos.

Sam: Dom didn’t even look like himself back then. He literally looked like a mountain man and I was like, ‘Who’s this guy?’ It was at the basement of J&J’s, I’m pretty sure. I saw him play there before Killers. I’m pretty sure it was in 2018. 

Teejay: Then Sam and I met through Dom.

Do you feel that your chemistry as musicians influences the strength of your relationship as friends? 

Teejay: For sure. 

Dom: Yeah, for sure, I’m kind of a loser and don’t really know how to hang out with people […], so I’m like, ‘let’s start a band,’ and then we’re forced to hang out.

Sam: I think there’s no percentage of our friendship depending on our musicianship. I think it’s entirely independent and built strongly on itself, which influences musicianship.

Dom (jokingly): Hey, that was a really good beat you played. Do you want to go get some IHOP? 

Teejay: I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed [Dom’s] writing, and I can always get behind all of the emotions in the lyrics. So, when I perform it, I can always feel the feelings around it. I’m not just performing the songs; I’m [experiencing] the emotions as well.

What does your writing process look like? Do you have set roles whenever it comes to composing your work? 

Teejay: All you, Dom!

Dom: So I typically write a minute-long song, and they’re usually just little ideas. Teejay usually vibes with what I’m doing, and I would say that Sam has a significant impact on the writing. Once you start hearing drums, the arrangement solidifies. It turns my minute-long idea into a more flushed-out thing.

What’s the next big step for Momoyeaux? Is there anything in the works? 
Dom: I have a lot of ideas that I want to pursue, but I’m leaving [the States] in about two months, so I’m on a time crunch. I want to have a backlog of things to put out while I’m traveling. I also really want to collaborate with other artists in other countries. 

What are you hoping to achieve as a band by the end of 2024? 

Dom: Just have a good time! 

Teejay: To play as many shows as possible! 

Dom: To create cool art. 

What aspect of your music is most important to you? 

Teejay: The emotions that go behind it. The music that Dom writes isn’t just empty words that he puts together; it’s emotions he’s felt, situations that he’s gone through, and hardships that he’s had to overcome. Our more recent songs seem to come from a more uplifted spirit. 

Dom: Same. I talk about this a lot, but I feel like whenever you surround yourself with negativity, and you’re getting rewarded at shows [because] people like your music, it’s easy to fester in that and think, ‘All of my friends are friends with me because I write sad music. I need to be sad, or my friends aren’t gonna like me anymore.’ Creating music should be more for you than for someone else. 

Sam: I want to say emotions, too, but I feel like our music is unique. I like all the different tunings [Dom] does. I think that’s what most influences the sound of the music. 

What is your favorite track that you’ve created so far, and what does it mean to you? 

Dom: I like ‘I Won’t Let Myself’ because it digs into what I was just talking about. That song is me criticizing my old self for purposely putting myself through things to be sad and saying, ‘You're such a loser. You're just doing these things to fit in.’ 

Sam: Definitely [I Won’t Let Myself], it’s the most emotional. I even get emotional playing it sometimes. 

*Dom fake cries* 

Teejay: I hate to be that guy, but honestly, every song is super special to me. But I think my favorite is Beck. It isn’t part of our set, but it’s so beautiful. Every time I listen to it, it gives me ‘summer nighttime’ vibes. 

What overall message are you trying to convey to your listeners? 

Dom: You don’t need a tragic backstory to have music worth engaging with. You can love your life, create music about that, and be playing it alongside someone feeling something totally different. I don’t want people to think they need to be a certain way to do whatever they want. 

Teejay: I think it’s about being able to have that connection with others through our songs. We may not know someone on a personal level, but we can bond through our music. I love being able to experience that during our sets. 

Quarters of Change at Club Dada

Ben Roter

From flaming rifts that can heat up a venue of any size to profound lyrics that captivate the hearts of anyone listening, Quarters of Change is a band I have been privileged enough to see four times now.  With their debut LP Into the Rift out now and their sophomore LP Portraits releasing January 26th, this band's passion for their artistry seeps through their souls and into the beauty of their creations. Made up of Ben Roter on lead vocals,  Attila Anrather on drums, and both Jasper Harris and Ben Acker on guitar, the energy created at their shows is never short of transcendent. 

Jasper Harris

On September 26th, 2023, QOC headlined their first show in Dallas, a moment I have been eagerly waiting for since hearing ‘Kiwi’ for the first time in the early spring of 2022.  Although the anticipation for this show was held at a high extremity by myself and most other attendees, all expectations were blown out of the water by the talents of the boys from NYC.  While playing beloved favorites like “Sophia”, “T Love”, “Blue Copper”, and “Rift”, as well as new releases such as “What I Wanted”, “Hollywood Baby”, and “Do or Die”, everyone who made an appearance at Club Dada was blessed by the enchantment that is a live performance by Quarters of Change.

Ben Acker

My gratitude for the opportunity to see QOC as many times as I have extends to the plethora of amazing people I have met and friendships I have formed through the connection of admiration for their music and what it means to us.  As soon as I got in line for this particular show, I was welcomed by a group of people who were intent on sharing their excitement through kindness and laughter, making the wait for doors significantly more enjoyable.  Once inside, the energy and celebration continued for the rest of the night, creating a community based on our shared appreciation for live music. The general amiableness of the crowd the band attracts is an excellent reflection of the members themselves, who are just as incredible people as they are musicians. 

A little over halfway through their North American tour, QOC is strengthening their rightful grip on the Alternative Rock scene across America. From their mesmerizing stage presence to the wonderful people they draw in, please do yourself a favor and see Quarters of Change if given the opportunity. It will be worthwhile after a night of exceptional sound and new friends. 

From left to right: Ben Acker, Jasper Harris, Ben Roter (bottom center), Jolea Bradshaw (me), Attila Anrather