Following the independent release of his split collaboration with Servicecenter, moss boy finds himself at a pivotal point in his career.
The mind behind the music, Merritt Cathers, is piecing together smaller projects like singles and another EP while preparing for the release of his first full-length project. Merritt and I connected to talk all things music, inspiration, and the techniques shaping his future.
Latest chapter
Since the 2024 release of his EP throw me a bone and the 2025 drop of his solo track “early bird gets the worm,” moss boy has kept busy. Most recently, he teamed up with Servicecenter for their self-titled split, a six-track project with three songs from each artist. His contributions include the songs “spiders”, “charmer” and “asleep at the wheel”. On his side, moss boy shows a fuller, more realized presence, with the tracks charting growth from his earlier work.
Expanding the presence of this project, a video was released for “spiders.” The video delivers eerie, distorted visuals that have been a consistent hallmark of his career. Filmed across various locations in Rhode Island, it also serves as a visual testament to his Rhode Island roots.
Musical DNA
Your music has been described as shoegaze, indie rock, and even alternative. Do you identify with any one genre, or do you prefer to blur the lines?
MC: I really like that my sound can’t be put into a box. I have so many different ideas and influences. I think having a diverse yet cohesive catalogue of music that can fit different moods and settings is awesome. Whenever people ask me to describe my sound, I usually say “loud” or, alternative. Sometimes shoegaze, it depends on the day. I think blurring the lines is fun. I don’t write with a specific genre in mind. My songs are all just a result of the different styles of music that I like.
Who are some artists, songs, or albums that have influenced your sound the most?
MC: Early moss boy was heavily inspired by It Looks Sad.’s self titled EP. “Raccoon” off of that album is so awesome and gave me a new perspective when I first started writing songs; Unique yet familiar drum patterns and catchy vocal melodies.
“Drawn Out” by Citizen, “Wool” by Modern Color, and “Lead & Alchemy” by So Totally are just a few of my favorite songs that inspired my transition into writing stuff like throw me a bone.
Albums like Horse Jumper Of Love’s self titled and “Gestures Been” by They Are Gutting A Body Of Water have more directly influenced some of the more recent stuff I’ve been working on, like “spiders” and “asleep at the wheel”.
Creative process & more
Can you describe what a typical writing or recording session looks like for you?
MC: To be completely honest, I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately when it comes to writing new stuff. It definitely comes in waves for me. Sometimes I have a bunch of new ideas that I can’t wait to get down, but other times I feel like I’m really forcing it, so I’ll take a step back.
I try to chase that creative spark whenever I get it. Whether it’s when I’m about to fall asleep or when I’m driving, I’ll try to grab a quick voice memo of the idea before it gets away from me.
As far as writing and recording go, I usually track everything in my room on my laptop. I started out playing drums, so I tend to write the guitar and drum parts together. That’s just how my brain works. Coming up with lyrics and a melody is usually the hardest part for me. It either comes to me right away or takes some time to figure out. I’m picky and don’t like when the things I’m saying are too on-the-nose, so I usually take my time with lyrics.
How would you describe your relationship with collaboration?
MC: While I typically write by myself, I love collaboration. Working with the rest of the band to bring the songs to life is always so much fun. I think getting multiple different perspectives on music is so cool. Especially since everyone has different styles of playing, different influences, and different ideas to contribute. I actually recently wrote a song with my friend Sean that (fingers crossed) should be out sometime soon. We worked together on the whole thing and had a blast writing and recording it. Combining our different styles and lyricism to create something unique, and I rock with that.
Future music
With your next project taking shape, how would you describe it?
MC: Loud. I have plans to drop a small collection of demos, unfinished work, and one of the songs I have no plans on finalizing, but still want to share. After that, though, I’m planning on recording a full album with my friend Jack from Stringhead up in Lowell. I think it’ll be really cool to have a full body of work that truly represents this project in its current form; something bigger than an EP or a split. It’ll be a bunch of new stuff, but maybe a couple reworks of older songs I’ve been thinking on for too long.
What do you take pride in the most being an indie artist?
MC: As an independent artist, I take pride in standing for something bigger than just music. While I don’t necessarily sing about it, environmental preservation and wildlife conservation are very important to me. I use the band as a platform to raise awareness about this when I can.
A handful of merch designs I’ve made are centered around saving more bugs, advocating for peace, calling out those who litter, and bashing people who hunt animals for “sport”. I think it’s important to stand for something alongside your music. It gives people something else to relate to, creating a connection that’s deeper than just music.
The next chapter
Through his music, visuals, and collaborations, Merritt Cathers has proven his genuine passion for his craft. From early releases like throw me a bone to his split with Servicecenter and singles like “early bird gets the worm,” moss boy is steadily shaping a world that reflects his unique artistic vision.
Now, with his full-length album in the works, Merritt is building on this foundation, exploring new sounds and expanding the sonic and visual landscape of moss boy. Keep your ears and eyes on him as he’s in a defining and powerful moment in his career.
