As a unit, they face life’s ups, downs, highs, lows, trials, tribulations, tragedies, triumphs, and everything in between. They change, learn, and grow as one. However, Los Angeles band JOHNNYSWIM doesn’t just seem like a family; it is a family. At the core, husband-and-wife—Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano— translate the memories, moments, and milestones on their journey into spirited, slick, and soulful anthems steeped in singer-songwriter tradition, yet amplified by alternative experimentation, rock energy, and pop ambition.

As the story goes, Abner felt love-at-first sight upon seeing Amanda. Immediately, he thought, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” The only problem was he declared it aloud in front of his date (who promptly became his last ex). To add insult to injury, Amanda shrugged him off with an eye-roll as well. Four years passed until their paths crossed again at a 2005 Nashville writing session. The relationship experienced its makeups and breakups before they married in 2009—a year removed from the arrival of their self-titled debut EP, JOHNNYSWIM.

Building a fan base through constant touring, 2013’s Heart Beats EP spawned “Don’t Let It Get You Down,” which clocked 17 million-plus Spotify streams. Their first full-length, Diamonds, arrived in 2014 as its single “Home” famously became the theme to HGTV hit “Fixer Upper.” The 2016 follow-up Georgica Pond yielded another fan favorite “First Try” as the duo sold out dates around the world. Along the way, they garnered acclaim from Rolling Stone, NPR, The New York Times, Huffington Post, Nylon, Du Jour, and VH1 in addition to performing on “The Today Show,” “CONAN,” and more.

In early 2017, JOHNNYSWIM commenced work on ideas for what would become their 2019 third full length, Moonlight[Britannia Row Recordings/BMG]. Amidst a series of professional changes and Amanda’s pregnancy with their second child, they kick-started the next chapter.

The album illuminates the expanse of JOHNNYSWIM’s musical pallet. “Marietta” gallops from a jazz-y intro into theatrical delivery about Abner leaving his hometown. The finale “Same Old Thing” examines the fragility of marriage and frayed bonds as the lyrics tackle divorces among the pair’s friends over listless guitar.

In the end, JOHNNYSWIM emerge stronger than ever together as a family, and a band, on Moonlight.