Our Summer Stars series features a variety of groups out there making the rounds on the festival circuit. Fresh off their appearance at Bonnaroo, today we profile Moon Taxi. Here’s a link to all of our Summer Star pieces which we will post over the coming weeks.

When Nashville, Tenn.-based Moon Taxi takes the stage at Bonnaroo this summer, it will be somewhat of a homecoming gig for the quintet. “This is the first time we’re gonna be at Bonnaroo,” says singer/guitarist Trevor Terndrup, “which is very exciting for us. We’ve all gone as fans and have been wanting to play there for so long because we’re right next door.” The group will also be making appearances at Amberland, Bear Creek and other festivals throughout the year.

Formed in the dorms of Belmont University at the end of 2006, Moon Taxi quickly gained favor in the jam-rock scene for their sprawling live shows, slick time changes and twin guitar heroics. Now, with their ambitious sophomore album Cabaret – a dreamy, highly-polished effort with electro beats, banjos, big hooks and one track with Matisyahu – the band successfully bridges the gap between jam and indie.

“We still have that grungy guitar core, but when we went into the studio to make our new record, we really wanted to explore the synth side of our souls. I like MGMT and Yeasayer, and we were listening to a lot of that during the making of the record,” says Terndrup. “But then, the whole other side of the coin is this Americana-folky movement spearheaded by The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons – that crept in as well.”

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Summer pastime more people should try: Recycling, reading and disc golf

Best album for a warm summer night: Canago, Fun

Favorite summer vacation location: Gulf Shores, Ala.