7 posts tagged “moby”

KCRW favorite Moby dropped by Morning Becomes Eclectic to talk about his new album, which he describes as more melancholy and personal than anything he’s done in a long time. The album isn’t out until late June but you can hear tracks off “Wait For Me” getting spins on a bunch of music shows here.  Moby was wearing a Bad Brains shirt and talked to Jason about how when he tries to dress like a rock star he fails miserably. He talked about how exhausting it is to be disingenuous and his discovery that it’s much easier to just be yourself. Moby said his new CD is a reflection of the records that mean the most to him -- not party albums, but introspective and mournful music by early Nick Drake, Bon Iver and Joy Division.

It will be posted here soon.

RR

On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, we highlight three popular hosts who have changed the music landscape worldwide with their unique styles and music tastes – Jason Bentley, Anne Litt and Garth Trinidad.  All three hosts will cull from the archives, spotlighting artists that they have discovered and championed during their tenure and share memorable moments.

Special programming will also include an exclusive live performance and interview with Moby, recorded at the KCRW Sessions concert at the Malibu Performing Arts Center on July 31. The seated venue was transformed into a dance party as Moby played his hits with a full band. The interview, hosted by Nic Harcourt, delves into Moby’s musical and personal past with shocking honesty and lots of laughs.

Warren Olney (To The Point) and All Things Considered will keep you up to date with convention coverage and the latest in news and politics.

Monday, September 1 Labor Day Schedule

Jason Bentley - 9a to noon

To The Point w/ Warren Olney - noon to 1p

Garth Trinidad -- 1p to 4p

MOBY Part 1– 4p to 5p (live performance and interview recorded at KCRW Sessions)

All Things Considered/Convention Coverage - 5p to 8p

MOBY Part 2 – 8p to 9pm  (live performance recorded at KCRW Sessions)

Anne Litt - 9p to midnight

MORE ON THE DJS:

JASON BENTLEY is credited with introducing underground dance music to a global audience. Among the artists he will feature are Zero 7, Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers and Portishead. His first airing of Portishead’s seminal album “Dummy” was on a cassette – he was so excited to share it with the KCRW audience, he just couldn’t wait.

Jason says KCRW has allowed him to be versatile and cutting edge.

“All the DJs here have the freedom to be excited about music, be passionate and react. We are not only tapped into what’s happening, but we can respond to that feeling immediately with what we play on the air,” said Jason.

“Also, the idea of serving a community has always been central to what I do. Having that sense of community and purpose is really the reason why I’ve been doing this for so long.”  

Recently, Jason made history as the first-ever DJ at the Governors Ball, the celebration following the 2008 Academy Awards® presentation. He was also on the decks for Entertainment Tonight’s star-studded Emmy Awards after-party in 2007, with an encore performance set for 2008.

GARTH TRINIDAD’s exploration into urban rhythms and soul created a new home for a demographic that isn’t served anywhere else and a place for artists like Van Hunt, Sylk 130, J Davey, Little Dragon to thrive. Garth was the first DJ in the country to play both Macy Gray and Jill Scott.  Having the freedom to act on his instincts helped launch Scott’s career. He was turned on to the singer by a friend and begged his buddy to leave her unfinished demos behind so he could get them on air immediately.

“When I started the show, there was a certain niche I felt like I wanted to speak to -- but that was a broad spectrum in itself,” said Garth. “I’m really just trying to look for good songs to play and weave an emotional thread that ties in old and new. It’s just about sound.”

Garth says the unspoken dialogue he has with his listeners and a vibe of unity through music is what makes his show special. He also has developed relationships with artists, producers and labels that are nurturing the same music.

“The hunger in artists that are trying to survive in the new marketplace – that is what inspires me to keep going,” said Garth.

ANNE LITT’s incredible ear for new talent has earned her recognition from the Oscars, for her work on “Little Miss Sunshine,” which featured the band DeVotchka. She has an undeniable passion for music but it is the moving, sonic experience she creates that makes listeners want to escape with her every weekend.

“I like that I can dip into different eras, styles and genres and create a sexy tapestry that is also warm and cozy.  I want people to get to think, that was a lovely, enveloping, warm show that made me feel good,” said Anne.

Anne will revisit music by long time favorites including Shelby Lynne, Inara George, Rapahel Saadiq, and Elliot Smith. Anne Litt got early Nik Freitas demos from a listener and is keen to investigate musical suggestions from trusted sources.

“Singer Nik Freitas is a great example of an artist I’ve heard about from multiple people. Here’s somebody who is not going to get heard – period -- without somebody like me,” said Anne. “We are given an amazing gift, all of us DJs. All I can do is help artists.”

She relishes the opportunity to play talented artists that may not get airplay otherwise and connecting the dots between new artists, like Panda Bear, and their roots. 

”Since I’ve been at KCRW, I’ve been married, divorced, single, married again, become a mother. I’ve gone through births and deaths. I feel like I’ve been through every major life change you can experience and I feel blessed to have had a forum to express all these different life changes through music,” said Anne.

Tune in for our special music and news programming on Labor Day, September 1 at KCRW and KCRW.com.    
 

Our KCRW Sessions show with Moby couldn't have been more different than the first (with Sia). There were moments when the Malibu Performing Arts center was an all-out rave – definitely something this pristine venue/recording studio by the sea has never seen before.

For the first two tracks, opener "Lift Me Up" and "Go," one of his first hits, the audience tapped toes, bobbed heads and threw a few fists, all while seated. When "bodyrock" started it took about 3 seconds for everyone to get on their feet. I've never seen anything like it. A handful made the move and the rest followed so quickly it was like a wave.

At the end of the first set, it seemed no one wanted to stop the dance party for the interview, hosted by Nic. But as soon as they started chatting, everyone realized what a special experience it was. They were essentially seeing what happens on Morning Becomes Eclectic live before their very eyes.

Moby is incredibly candid – we learned the album he was listening to when he got to "second base" (the first Aerosmith record), his first musical moment (listening to “Proud Mary” in the car at age 3), and his awkward teenage years that led him -- and a bunch of other guys with no friends -- to form a hard core band. That hard core side of him did come out a bit tonight in a cover of Joy Division's “New Dawn Fades.”

At the beginning of the second set he warned things would get experimental. He did a reworked version of "Porcelain" and his incredible singer Laura sang a gospel tune. Harmonica is not something you expect to hear at a Moby show but deep into the second set, he started messing around with some blues guitar licks and daring his harmonica player (and guitarist) to match the riffs. It was pretty awesome.

That’s what is so great about these Sessions shows – you are fully aware that you are witnessing something truly unique that won't be repeated. Moby seemed to be having as much fun as the audience and didn’t hold back – as a singer, performer, bass player, drummer OR playing bongos. He put on a SHOW, with an incredible band behind him of course. They seemed just as excited as the audience to be there.

"We Are All Made of Stars" and the sing along to "Natural Blues" were big second set highlights.  For the encore he went straight up raver with "Next is the E," and closing with “Honey.” On one side of the venue, people were just going insane – dancing wildly, all with huge smiles on their faces. Not a soul left that venue unsatisfied.

The first set and interview are already available for viewing HERE and will be followed by the second set this afternoon.  Set list is below.

RR  

KCRW Sessions with MOBY
At the Malibu Performing Arts Center

SET LIST
(electronic)
lift me up
go
bodyrock
disco lies
the stars

interview

(band set)
great escape
porcelain
extreme ways
i like it
we are all made of stars
run on
when it’s cold
natural blues
new dawn fades

(encore)
next is the e
honey

KCRW Sessions is an intimate concert series featuring a live session and interview with KCRW Music Director Nic Harcourt held in front of an audience of 500. Our latest show features Moby, who will be bringing a full band for an unforgettable performance. The show at the Malibu Performing Arts Center is sold out BUT you can watch the session online live from the comfort of your home Thursday evening beginning at 8:30p PST. Go here for more info

The performance will also be archived before the weekend so keep an eye out for that if you miss it live.

RR

We told you we would be back with another great KCRW Sessions show!  

This is our brand-new live concert series that we kicked off with Sia in April. As anyone who was at the Malibu Performing Arts Center that night can attest, it was a magical performance (and hilarious interview with Nic Harcourt). Tickets to the first show sold out almost immediately to members only so make sure your membership is active and mark your calendar for the July 1 on sale date.

Moby has a long history with KCRW. The station embraced his first single “Go” and his catalogue in our music library dates back to 1992. His 1999 album “Play” is among the top 15 most played albums of all time at the station and he is one of few artists that virtually every DJ here has played. He first appeared on KCRW’s airwaves in 1995 with Chris Douridas and has returned a handful of times for live performances and guest DJ sets.

The artist recently stopped in for a fantastic live set on Morning Becomes Eclectic and will be performing at MPAC with a full band.

For More Information: http://www.kcrw.com/events/kcrw-sessions-moby

RR

There was one recurring theme in Moby’s interview with Nic this morning – that guy likes to party. He told us tales of many late nights on the lower eastside in NYC and we now know he is a big karaoke fan (which is where he found one of the vocalists on a song he played for us today).

Moby told Nic all about his foray into film, working with "Donnie Darko" director Richard Kelly, as well as his new album, “Last Night,” which will be out in March 2008. He played us a track called “Live for Tomorrow.” The album has Moby returning to his dance roots which is in part due to the music he has been exposed to in his active nightlife. Now we have come full circle so I will let you listen for yourself!

Listen/Watch

(FYI -- if this link doesn't work immediately, it's due to some server problems. Please try back!)

RR

The electronic music guru returns to MBE with music that inspires him and tracks from his upcoming release. Moby's guest DJ set begins at around 11:15am.

RR