By Phil Lacombe
There’s something magnetic about FireBug, a sound born in the desert and built to travel far beyond it. The Joshua Tree–based duo has long blended raw emotion, cinematic atmosphere, and fearless experimentation, but now the world is finally catching up.
Fresh off the news that FireBug’s song “Moment of Joy” will be featured in the new Apple TV+ series Smoke (from Emmy Award–winner Dennis Lehane of Black Bird and Mystic River fame), the band is celebrating a massive milestone that brings their sound to a global audience. Add to that the release of their stunning new single and video, “Time Marches On,” produced by Jordan Lawlor (Beck, Deftones, M83), and it’s clear FireBug’s flame is burning brighter than ever.
We caught up with Juliette Tworsey to talk about their journey, the new music, and what it feels like to hear their desert-born sound come alive on the world stage.
CVW: First off, congrats on the Apple TV+ deal! What went through your minds when you found out “Moment of Joy” would be featured in Smoke?
Tworsey: Thank you so much for having us. We were very excited to have our song “Moment of Joy” featured in “Smoke”.
CVW: How did that sync opportunity come about? Was it something you pursued, or did the song just find its perfect match?
Tworsey: A music supervisor at Apple TV reached out to us expressing interest in our song “Moment of Joy”.
CVW: Smoke is the work of Dennis Lehane, whose shows always carry deep emotional themes. Why do you think “Moment of Joy” resonated with that kind of storytelling?
Tworsey: “Moment of Joy” is a highly emotive song that transitions from being melodic and soulful into something bombastic and psychedelic towards the end. We think this is probably what caught their attention.
CVW: Your new single “Time Marches On” feels like a perfect next step, powerful, modern, and cinematic. What inspired this track, and how did working with Jordan Lawlor shape its sound?
Tworsey: “Time Marches On” began as a song idea I initially wrote on piano. I was improvising and the song idea and melody just came to me. At the time, we were working with 2x Grammy winner Adrian Bushby in London who was mixing a few songs we recorded live from a session we did in New Orleans. Adrian”s management also represents Jordan Lawlor and that is how we connected. Jordan brought his electronic rock influences into our sound. “Time Marches On” became an experiment combining styles and opened new doors for us musically.
CVW: The production on “Time Marches On” feels huge but still intimate. What was the biggest creative risk you took in the studio?
Tworsey: There was no real creative risk involved. It all felt very natural and seemed to flow well.
CVW: Between “Moment of Joy” and “Time Marches On,” it feels like FireBug is entering a new era. How would you describe where you’re headed sonically?
Tworsey: I would say that “Time Marches On” is an extension that adds to everything that we have done. We are on a path where we continue to grow musically. “Time Marches On” is an example of our willingness to explore new sonic territory.
CVW: You’ve always stayed true to your desert roots. How does living and creating in a place like Joshua Tree influence your songwriting and energy?
Tworsey: We are inspired by the environment. Awe inspiring desert nighttime skies and the beautiful landscapes and of course the magical sunsets.
CVW: For independent artists, a sync placement like this is a dream. What advice would you give to other musicians looking to break into that world?
Tworsey: Create music that you are proud of and try to get heard by as many people as you can. There is no single or simple path to getting sync placement.
CVW: With so much momentum, new music, a global TV sync, and fans discovering you worldwide, what’s next on the horizon for FireBug? Any upcoming live shows or projects you can tease?
Tworsey: There are a few things that we have going on currently. We just finished mixing and mastering songs from a live performance at Pappy and Harriet’s. In addition to that, we have another new song on the horizon produced by Jordan Lawlor that has yet to be released. This song blends an organic feel that is deeply melodic, cinematic and atmospheric. We feel this song is definitely different from anything we have done before. We are quite proud of it and looking forward to getting it out there soon.
CVW: Where can fans find you?
Tworsey: Fans can find us on our official website www.firebugmusic.com. Our music is available on all major digital.platforms worldwide including Apple Music and Spotify. Our handle on all our socials is @firebugmusic
From late-night desert sessions to a global spotlight on Apple TV+, FireBug’s journey proves what can happen when talent, tenacity, and timing collide. With “Moment of Joy” finding new life on screen and “Time Marches On” capturing hearts everywhere, FireBug is lighting up the desert sky, and the world beyond it.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Local Music Spotlight, shining on one of the Coachella Valley’s most cinematic and visionary acts, FireBug. Keep your eyes on Smoke, your ears on “Time Marches On,” and your heart tuned to the fire still burning out here in the desert. The party doesn’t stop here. Hit the shows, feel the beats, and keep the valley’s music scene thriving. Because around here, the next song that changes your life might be playing tonight.
