Project Description
Interview with
CONNOR and MAXWELL
from
MOBY RICH
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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LA based two-piece Moby Rich arrived with a bang in September 2018 with their own infectious brand of lo-fi beats driven pop. First release Yoko Ono (an ode to finding a lover to match your strange) with its Scottie Cameron directed video garnered a Radio 1 Annie Mac first play, a Triple J playlist addition and huge support from Spotify and Apple Music.
Their First EP followed in October and the duo have been on their first UK and US tour.
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Watch ‘Yoko Ono’ here
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How did it all begin? Where did you develop your interest in performing music to an audience?
Connor – I stole my dad’s guitar in middle school and tried to learn ‘Stairway To Heaven’ and ended up learning ‘Enter Sandman.’ After that I was hooked. After college a music mogul (who is now a great friend) found me on YouTube, got me an opportunity to be in a boy band, didn’t work out, led me to a publishing deal, moved to LA, met Maxwell at an open mic. Now we here.
Maxwell – Both of our dads played music growing up and always had guitars laying around the house. We both started playing music in high school and naturally progressing until it became more than just a hobby. I never identified with playing sports or academics that much so as soon as I started to play in bands and write music it was like finding out who I really was for the first time.
What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
Connor – I listened to a lot of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath. Was surrounded by 90s alt rock. Went to a bunch of concerts hosted by the local alt rock station in Atlanta. 99x. Then went into an 80s music kick. The Cars, Flock of seagulls. Then came into Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews. The got into some more experimental and electronic stuff, Lemon Jelly, zero 7, Danger Mouse. The got into folk and Americana, Ray Lamontagne, Jose Gonzalez, Fleet Foxes. Now I’m really into all sorts of stuff unknown Mortal Orchestra, Of Montreal, Mac Demarco, Andy Shauf. And so much more. I love how easy it is to discover new music.
Maxwell – I grew up listening to Nirvana, Metallica, Jack Johnson and a whole lot of Dave Matthews. Dave was like the first guy that I looked at and listened to that made me think I could write music too. He has such a unique writing style that it made me believe I could develop my own. As I got a bit older I really fell in love with Bon Iver. He has always been the artist I’ve turned to when I’ve been in a super dark place.
How did you meet and decide to form a band together?
Connor – We met at an open mic. And was introduced by mutual friends.
Maxwell – We met at an open mic in LA. We had a mutual friend that introduced us and after we heard each other perform we started to hang out a little bit before deciding to write together. Connor had proposed the idea of starting a band even just for fun to write some more left of center stuff. I was totally down and one thing led to another and soon enough we were writing all the time for the project.
How would you describe your sound? Has it evolved?
Connor – Alt Pop. It started pretty indie and even more experimental, but we were lucky in finding a sound pretty early.
Maxwell – I would say we are alternative pop. We have a lot of influence from MGMT and Cage the Elephant. We also love Fleet Foxes. I think that we are constantly trying to push the sound and break the barrier of what we think would sound cool or we can get away with. We never want to stay stagnant or complacent when it comes to the music.
You will be supporting BROODS on their Australian tour! How did that come about?
Connor – Again. Mutual friends. We feel very lucky and fortunate to be sharing the stage with them too!
Maxwell – To be honest we’re still pretty blown away that we are supporting them and we chalk it up to good fortune and our very well connected managers. We are huge fans of Broods and are super stoked to see them play.
What is your favourite thing about being on tour? Are there any major downsides?
Connor – Getting to travel and see the world! It’s a dream of so many people and I feel very lucky to get to do it for a job. Downsides of it for me, are not being able to see my family as much as I’d like too.
Maxwell – My favorite thing is meeting all people that will hopefully become your fans. It’s pretty wild to travel across the world and sometime have people who have already heard your stuff or even know the words to your songs. There is also a simplicity in touring that I love. You rarely have to wonder what you are doing for the day. It’s laid out in front of you and you just do what needs to be done. I personally don’t see any downsides to it yet.
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What was it like touring the UK and the US for the first time?
Connor – The U.K. was beautiful, and the people were so fun!! Everyone was super excited to hear the music, which made us excited!
Maxwell – Both of them were amazing. Europe was so cool because I had never been there before and found myself so enamoured by the architecture. All of the shows were super memorable and we can’t wait to get back.
If you could tour in any country in the world, where would it be? Why?
Connor – Japan. Just always been a dream! Seems like such a dreamy place to visit!
Maxwell – We want to go everywhere but if we had to pick I think Japan would be the place. Such a different culture to our own and the we’ve heard that they go nuts for new music acts so we can’t wait to get over there.
What inspired you to write “Yoko Ono”?
Connor – Love. The idea that there is someone out there to match your type of weird. Like John and Yoko matches each other. Love them or hate them, they were in love.
Maxwell – We wrote it about finding someone who matches your “strange” which we think is so important in relationships or friendships. We’re all unique and weird and sorta fucked up from our lives so have someone around that understands you and doesn’t judge you for it but in fact celebrates you for the things that make you different is a really special thing to experience.
What else have you got planned for 2019?
Connor – More touring!! We hope to be playing as many shows as possible! I wrote more music and release new songs!
Maxwell – Releasing more music, touring a bunch more hopefully and just continuing to grow our fan base and create a space that people can feel comfortable and be themselves.
Where do you hope to be in a year?
Connor – In a year I hope to be playing bigger venues and for bigger crowds and happy!
Maxwell – In Japan playing a sold out show.
FAVORITE:
Connor:
Album – Montezuma – Fleet Foxes
Artist – Led Zeppelin
Movie – Amelie
Place to visit – home
Venue to play – We are about to play the forum here in melbourne, I have a feelings it’s gonna be here. Or Hendershots in Athens, GA.
Food – tacos
Drink – coffee
Tattoo – (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) Don’t have a ton yet, maybe my hand tats. I’ve got a lot of ideas for tattoos though. Just gotta pull the trigger now. Haha
FAVORITE:
Maxwell:
Album – 22, a million
Artist – Bon Iver
Movie – The Big Lebowski
Place to visit – London
Venue to play – The Forum, Melbourne & Dingwalls
Food – Sushi
Drink – Mezcal
Person in History – Betty Crocker
Tattoo – Spine Tattoo
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AUS TOUR DATES
Tuesday| May 28, 2019
Support to BROODS
Sydney, NSW, Australia – Enmore Theatre (2,500 cap)
Thursday | May 30, 2019
Support to BROODS
Brisbane, QLD, Australia – Eaton’s Hill Hotel (2,100 cap)
Saturday | June 01, 2019
Support to BROODS
Perth, WA, Australia – Metropolis Fremantle (1,500 cap)
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