MOONS – Moons Over Paris: 07/07/2012 + Interview
We are very happy to announce our collaboration with MOONS with the first installment of ‘Moons Over Paris’ a monthly mixtape he will be curating for Life is a Banana every double date.
MOONS agreed to answer a few questions for us.
‐ Hello, can you present yourself?
Hello, my name is Patrick Canaday, I make music under the name Moons. I’m a temporary Atlantan via NYC. Pleased to meet everyone.
‐ Why do you use the name » M O O N S «
The human experience is nothing but fanned out phases of consciousness. The moons of heavenly bodies mimic the phases we experience on a visual level, an archetypal level, and a magnetic level. Moons is pop music at its simplest, but the grander picture is intended to be an exploration of the fluidity and chaos of the experiences we have in this universe. I started toying with this name after my mother showed me the classic ‘Paper Moon’ several years ago.
‐ How would you describe your music?
Enchanted Space Pop
‐ Can you list for us some of the influences present in your music?
The looks, feels, and sounds of vast, question raising films such as 2001: a Space Odyssey, blade runner, and Alien, dark star, fantastic planet, close encounters, and poltergeist.
The animations of Norman Mclaren, John Whitney and Andreas Nillson
Music by Philip Glass, Vangelis, Liasons Dangereusse, Tangerine Dream, Fleetwood Mac, John Lennon, The Knife, Clan of Xymox, Cocteau Twins.
The techniques, sounds and music produced/mixed by Chris Coady, Rich Costey, Eno, Ken Thomas.
‐ When and how did you start writing music?
My grandmother would teach me things on the piano from a very young age, but I didn’t start writing music until I was 12, when I was given an acoustic guitar. I learned to play by listening to Fleetwood Mac and Rolling stones records, particularly let it bleed and tusk. I started evolving as a writer when people around me started showing me more and more great music.
‐ Can you tell us about the track « Bazaar »?
Bazaar is one of the earliest songs I wrote and began producing for Moons. I put the demo online to show one of my college professors named Susan Rogers (A genius woman who mixed and produced Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’, among several other incredible records). The track is currently sitting on my computer, soon to be worked on again for future recordings.
How came the video « Bloody Mouth »?
The footage is from a film called ‘Pas de Deaux’ by the innovative animator Norman Mclaren. I wrote the chords and words to Bloody Mouth on their own, but finished the recording specifically to go with the chosen footage from the film, which I edited on a laptop.
Do you have any live shows planned?
Shows coming up in late summer and fall in Atlanta and New York City.
You describe yourself as an « inventor of some beautiful pieces of electrical apparatus », what does it mean to you?
This is a quote from the monolithic inventor, Nikolai Tesla, a man whom I admire for his passion in his field and his clean and genuine pursuit of his own vision. Many inventors, namely Thomas Edison, were known to plagiarize Teslas work and then proceed to criticize him, something I can certainly relate to. The quote itself resonates with me because some may find that my music is simply another manifestation of pop, but those who really listen will see in it the intention of progression and a hint of what the future may be. Music is electricity.
Some blogs already call you « one of the more promising acts to surface this year », does it impact you in any way?
Its extremely exciting and only gives me reassurance that I am doing the right thing at the right time. However, my vision is unaltered, my attitude remains the same, and humility continues to be addicting.
You personally made, stamped a two track 7 », is it important for you to still create an object for music instead of only release it online?
The hand stamped cover was actually the brain child of my manager/label owner/best friend Brian Justie. He founded No Recordings, and will be doing unique hand stamps for every single release he does. He and I both agree that releases in the year 2012 should include a unique accompaniment to make it more ‘real’ as we say.
You are from Atlanta, what’s the city has to offer for the music lover kid?
If you are a true music lover, Atlanta may be the city for you. It’s a unique scene because it is pretty much based solely around live music scene.
When should we expect new tracks from you? what are your next projects?
Most likely a single in the fall and larger bodies of work in 2013
thanks again, take care xxx
Listen to this exclusive mix by Moons for Banana Radio
Original broadcast 07/07/2012.
http://moons.tv
Moons Over Paris: 07/07/2012
Tracklist below.
1. « Etoile Polaire (North Star) » – Philip Glass
2. « Starlight » – Risque
3. « Destination Moon » – Solid Space
4. « Isn’t it Midnight » – Fleetwood Mac
5. « Now it’s My Turn » – Berlin
6. « Cico Buff » – Cocteau Twins
7. « Child of Glass » – Sam Flax
8. « Liaisons Dangereusse » – Neger Brauchen Keine Elektronik
9. « You Don’t Know My Name » – Kym Amps
10. « Violent Dreams » – Crystal Castles
11. « Voyage, Voyage » – Desireless
12. « Imagination » – Clan of Xymox
13. « Achilles » -Antena
14. « When I Got High With You » – Cool Runnings
15. « Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime » – The Korgis
