– What’s new in the world of Moonlight Desires?
We just released our new album ‘Just The Hits: 1981-1985’ and played a cassette release party in Hamilton! We have also just completed a new music video for ‘Hungry Like The Wolf’, which is a Halloween themed video featuring a boxing werewolf!
– Where did the idea come from to pick and do all the great cover songs you guys do and actually choosing the ultimate band name?
When I was in my old band Sons of Butcher, we used to play heavied up 80’s songs in our set and the fans loved it! When the band broke up I decided to try recording some which lead to a full album! I only choose songs that resonate with me, or songs that I still hear on the radio today. We chose the band name based on our love of Gowan and his stellar 80’s catalogue. The song ‘Moonlight Desires’ is one of my favourite of all time.
– How was it recording the album Just The Hits: 1981-1985?
This album was recorded slowly over a year and a half at Mechanical Noise in Dunnville, Ontario, Mitch Bowden producing. The recording phase of any album is always my favourite part. Without any pressures to release it quickly I was able to enjoy the process and take time to consider all the creative options for layering. I record all the parts myself with a few friends adding their mark here and there including Mitch Bowden, who performs various lead guitar parts. Most of the songs were demo’d fully but others were figured out in studio. I can’t wait to start the next one.
– Do you consider album artwork as important now that music is mostly downloaded?
I’ve always valued album artwork, I grew up in the time of physical mediums. No matter how the trends go, I’ll always try to make a creatively cool cover and I’ll always press physical copies! I also think that in this time of so much choice, a great cover can still help you get noticed!
– Do you have any tours coming up in the near future?
Currently we have no tour plans, but we’re preparing our live set in the event that we can arrange one!
– Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
The last tour I was on was in 2008 and a typical day included lots of driving, drinking and laughing.
– Is the band fans of Spotify and similar streaming services? What are your thoughts on this?
I like any and all music platforms. We love Spotify! I think however people choose to consume music is fine by me. I like being a part of the system and the fact that we can be discovered randomly through playlists is a huge opportunity!
– In your opinion, which album would be essential to have if someone were stranded on a deserted island?
I think Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger would keep me excited about living if I were stranded on a deserted island. Not sure about anyone else haha
– Where do you see music in general going in 100 years from now?
Robot pop. The entire band is robots and the music is generated by an algorithm that produces ‘hit songs’ that are engineered to be liked by everyone. If humans are still around, the music would likely have some kind of mind control aspect seeded in the vocals, to keep everyone complacent about how Robots took over. Either that or its the same as now, but nobody remembers the 80’s…
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