MOTO SOLO Returns with Shadowy New Single “History Crept On Me”

Los Angeles outfit MOTO SOLO has released its latest single, “History Crept On Me,” a moody and immersive piece co-produced by Michael Shuman of Queens of the Stone Age. Continuing a string of synth-forward releases, the new track expands the sonic world that MOTO SOLO has been carefully crafting—a blend of darkwave-inspired textures, pulsing grooves, and emotionally charged lyricism.

Bobby Tamkin, the creative engine behind MOTO SOLO, remains at the helm. The former drummer turned songwriter, vocalist, and producer brings his full creative force to this project, weaving together layered arrangements with an introspective core.

“Lyrically, History Crept on Me speaks to the quiet chaos within—a moment when you’re lost or unraveling, and someone from your past returns, just when you need them most. You're happily surprised and relieved when they appear. After creating the music video, I realized another meaning: that we sometimes slip into our deepest fears, not realizing that all we ever needed was the presence of a friend to help snap us out,” Tamkin shares.

Before launching MOTO SOLO, Tamkin carved out a path in the underground music scene that spans decades. He began his career as a drummer in Hovercraft, a cult experimental act born out of the early 90s Seattle scene. Living in a house full of instruments and musicians, Tamkin found himself jamming with members of Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and other figures central to that era’s sound. The band toured with Foo Fighters and The Melvins and earned a reputation for pushing sonic boundaries.

Tamkin eventually returned to Los Angeles, performing with psych-rock staples like The Warlocks, collaborating with members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and even auditioning for artists like Beck and Kyuss. Despite a rich run as a drummer, he eventually stepped away from the instrument, choosing to explore songwriting on his own terms. That pivot gave birth to Xu Xu Fang, a cinematic and expansive band that drew comparisons to Radiohead and Sigur Rós. Xu Xu Fang garnered praise from Rolling Stone, MOJO, and The AV Club, while licensing tracks for shows like Gossip Girl, The Originals, and Bates Motel.

With MOTO SOLO, Tamkin enters new territory, taking on the role of frontman for the first time. “Xu Xu Fang was my band, but I never sang anything,” he says. “I’d write the music and lyrics, then hand the lyrics over to somebody else to sing. It was fun, but there was a disconnect. Felt like it was time to emerge from the curtain. It was the only musical challenge left.”

Work on MOTO SOLO’s forthcoming debut album began in 2023, with Tamkin writing and arranging all songs himself—this time, with his own voice at the center. He invited Michael Shuman into the process to contribute bass, but their collaboration quickly expanded to include guitars, keyboards, and co-production. Once the songs had taken shape, the duo moved into Highland Park’s 64 Sound studio, enlisting engineer Michael Harris (Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys) to help bring the final vision to life.

“History Crept On Me” builds on the aesthetic introduced in earlier MOTO SOLO releases like “There’s Another Way” and “Celebration Sound.” It leans into ambient synths, emotionally raw lyrics, and Tamkin’s deep vocal register—qualities that draw comparisons to Depeche Mode and early New Order, while still retaining a unique sense of identity.

Where previous projects explored sonic space from behind the scenes, MOTO SOLO is a bold step into the foreground for Tamkin. With “History Crept On Me,” he continues to challenge himself creatively, crafting music that feels both expansive and intensely personal.