SEARCHING FOR COMFORT…

FAULT: How was 2010 for you?

Moosenado: 2010 turned out to be a pretty good year for me. Last February I released my first demo titled ‘The Next Step’ as Moosenado and also an EP titled ‘Phatmosphere’ with my other project, Bowjia. Bowjia consisted of my friend Matt Herman and I and we created some interesting experimental trance music on our first EP which was received well. Since those two releases, I have been writing and mixing for my first solo album which I plan on releasing independently sometime this spring. I got a chance to experiment with some short film scoring as well as producing some other artists. I also did some remixes for Serj Tankain and Kaskade. Aside from the whole music thing in 2010, I’ve also come closer to finishing my university degree.

FAULT: Tell us about your latest album “The Next Step”?

Moosenado: ‘The Next Step’ was my first release as Moosenado. I worked on this release for almost a year when I had free time between or after classes at university. As I wrote and produced the songs for this release, I learned a great deal about mixing and sound in general. It took me a while to get the release to sound as good as I wanted it to with the stuff I had in my dorm room. This release is basically an introduction for what is to come with Moosenado.

FAULT: What was the main inspiration behind this record?

Moosenado: For the record, I was inspired mainly by my surroundings in Guelph, Ontario and a lot of newly discovered electronic music. The summer months in Guelph are quite beautiful and I found myself writing for the record mostly during those months. The sense of freedom that summer brought after the winter months was the feeling that really inspired me. As for music, I was inspired by Ulrich Schnauss, M83, and the Pet Shop Boys during that time. I think that the sound of those artist’s records had an influence on the sound of my record. The production quality of those records inspired me to further my producing skills.

Moosenado’s ‘Bye Now’ featuring Emma Aurelia on vocals

FAULT: Who did you grow up listening to?

Moosenado: Growing up, different genres stuck with me at different times in my life. I remember the first album I ever bought was Radiohead’s OK Computer. I also grew up loving the Smashing Pumpkins’ Adore album. From there I remember getting into Rap and Hip Hop for a while and then I listened to metal in my high school years. I was really into like the top 40 rap during the early 2000s and metal bands like Dimmu Borgir and Arch Enemy. I never really got into electronic music until 2007-ish when I first heard Infected Mushroom which changed my whole outlook on writing music and music in general.

FAULT: Do you come from a musical family?

Moosenado: I don’t come from a musical family. However, I started playing classical piano in the Royal Conservatory when I was like 5 or 6. I played a lot of guitar and metal music in my teen years. My Dad also loves listening to music and as I grew up he’d always have different sounds coming from his system. I remember hearing Sting, Everything but the Girl, Pink Floyd, Robert Miles etc. There would always be various chillout electronica radio stations playing. I never purposefully listened to his selection of music when I was younger but find myself doing so today.

FAULT: What can we expect from Moosenado in 2011?

Moosenado: My first solo album and some other projects I’m working on right now. You can already hear two tracks from my new release on my myspace page, ‘Bye Now’ and ‘Already Missing You’. I’m planning on playing some shows after the release. I’m also working on some hard hitting dance tracks with a friend that I think may go somewhere in 2011.

FAULT: How do you prepare for a live show?

Moosenado: Right now it’s completely studio based. I am excited to hopefully start doing some shows in 2011. The material off my new album will be better suited for a live stage than the material from The Next Step.

FAULT: What is it like being an artist based in Canada?

Moosenado: Well in Guelph, the music scene here is pretty good compared to other places around the Greater Toronto Area. Being a university town, the downtown scene is pretty ‘happening’ and so there is lots of music. There are also a few successful bands that have come from this town. There are some really talented people from Guelph and I’m happy to have had the chance to work with some of these people.

FAULT: Are you inspired by your surroundings?

Moosenado: Most definitely. Life surprises me, inspiration can come at some pretty interesting times. Going in and out of relationships, travelling to new places, open skies, landscapes, movies, etc. University life has also had a huge influence on me.

FAULT: You collaborated with Emma Aurelia on “Bye Now” How did that come about?

Moosenado: I met Emma through a roommate of mine and she was part of a small group called The Collectibles at the time. I produced a demo for them which got them a chance to play at the 2009 Hillside Festival here in Guelph, which was a lot of fun. She is a very talented singer/songwriter and I wanted to collaborate with her on a few tracks. On my next release, there will be a few songs with Emma. She is now in a group called The Emerald City and I believe they are going on tour soon here in Canada.

FAULT: What do you think of modern day Trance music?

Moosenado: I still listen to new trance coming out, so I don’t have a problem with it. I seem to notice people experimenting more with the genre which is great, Gareth Emery for example. With my trance tracks, I try to bring some new sounds to the table as well.

Living near the Toronto area, trance is rarely played on the radio here and is rarely talked about or heard in clubs. I wish there was more trance played here, uplifting trance especially; dance music is usually in the form of Hip Hop, House/Electro, or this new grimey form of Dubstep which seems to be taking over the clubs. From a mixing point of view, I personally love the fat compression used these days on trance and dance tracks in general. Deadmau5 being a good example. I also enjoy trance from Anjuna Beats, some big gems in there.

FAULT: Who is overrated?

Moosenado: Justin Bieber… of course, right? But honestly, music is too subjective.

FAULT: Who is underrated?

Ulrich Schnauss… he has had such an influence on my music but he isn’t well known here in Canada.

FAULT: What is your FAULT?

Moosenado: Sometimes I pay too much attention to detail to the point that it almost feels unhealthy. As I have been working on my new release, I have noticed that I begin to obsess over some things, like the mixing quality of my tracks. I’m learning to say enough is enough.

Hear More:

www.myspace.com/moosenado
www.facebook.com/moosenado
www.youtube.com/moosenado
www.soundcloud.com/moosenado