It seemed to be the question on everybody’s minds on Twitter this past month: a mysterious tweet coming from musicians like Alexander DeLeon (The Cab), Will Pugh (Cartel), William Beckett (formerly of The Academy Is) and The Ready Set reading “Who are The Half Moon Kids? Be Brave. Be Curious.” with a link to halfmoonkids.com surfacing almost simultaneously.
If that wasn’t cryptic enough, the website showed only a video of a girl, masked by a hood, writing out questions such as “What do you want to accomplish?” and “What do you fear?” and stating that all would be revealed on the 25th of February. Speculation grew and theories were tossed all over the various social media sites about these masked, half-moon kids until the big unveiling.
As it turns out, one of my favorite bands The Summer Set was behind these messages, launching an all-out viral campaign for their fan base, who now like to be known as Half Moon Kids. The name originated with the band while they were working on their new album Legendary. Calling themselves Half Moon Kids and wanting to share their new outlook on life with the fans, The Summer Set began a new initiative. “As a band we wanted to share this perspective and invite people to not only call themselves a ‘Half Moon Kid’ but live like one. We want our friends to strive to be the best version of themselves possible, and most importantly wake up every day and be excited to be themselves,” the band wrote after releasing the new single “Maybe Tonight.” They also opened a forum where fans can write about who or what inspires them, discuss their favorite TSS tour memories, or even share their own creative pieces of all sorts.
Since then, those who signed up with the HMK initiative have received letters, which are actually the monologue lead singer Brian Dales recites in the opening of the “Maybe Tonight” video, and some have even gotten to live out their “Legendary Moments.”
When signing up, fans are asked what would be their legendary moment; The Summer Set has reached out to 30 fans and helped their dreams come true. One of the girls in their newest music video was chosen through the site, and another fan got the chance to be the stage photographer for the night on their “Wake Up and Be Awesome” tour. The idea is that they want to help fans achieve their dreams because without fans, The Summer Set wouldn’t be living theirs now.
The Half Moon Kids is more than just a website though, or a music video or a random chance of getting to live out your craziest fantasy. For many, being a Half Moon Kid is about waking up every morning and wanting to become something more. It’s about reaching out to others and helping each other strive for greatness. It’s about feeling good about yourself and never letting anyone else tell you otherwise. The fact that such a statement can be made in a movement like this is too much for words. I’m proud to be a Half Moon Kid and I hope I can inspire others to be legendary, like The Summer Set has inspired me.
Since the movement has started, The Summer Set has released two songs, “Maybe Tonight” and “Boomerang.” They have been out on tour with Go Radio, We Are the In Crowd, and For the Foxes (with Special Guests Paradise Fears) and have announced their new album Legendary will be out on April 16.
Until next time: Be Brave, Be Curious, Be Legendary.
