Tori Kudo creates some of the most heady, yet free-spirited compositions I have ever heard. Spanning decades, his work simultaneously feels ‘out of this world’ but still very human. On one hand, he is letting us in on a secret. Something we shouldn’t be allowed to listen in on. A vulnerability that is not often expressed. We are left with a childlike sense of freedom and possibility. Like anything is obtainable. It stirs up optimism for the future. The head spinning amount of emotion that is carried through his compositions require your complete attention. So pay attention. Someone like Tori only comes around once in a lifetime. You don’t want to be the one that missed out.
The evening began and ended with tasteless jokes – the kind of tasteless jokes I don’t usually put in print. In addition to Micah, Caleb, and Bryan, there were several other mutual friends who came just to listen (and talk a lot of crap). I could tell I was among good friends. But even as close as many in the room were, we would come to find that we still had a lot to learn about Garrett. Personally, I was amazed at the level of insight and profundity in this interview; sandwiched between the middle schooler jokes was some incredibly challenging and thoughtful dialogue.
We’re trying to get in touch with Randall — we can see his face on skype, but we can’t hear anything he’s saying. We call him on Caleb’s phone and all of the guys try to figure out what’s wrong. I find it hilarious that a bunch of guys who make and produce music can’t figure out how to make their mics work. Finally, we get Randall’s voice by phone, and his face on video.
I’m sitting in the heart of Moone Records in downtown Phoenix: couches, chairs, a shelf full of vinyl — a visible concern for minimalism. The guys; a dog who barks at everything; a girlfriend, a wife, a toddler. Pumpkin Shock Tops. Leftover brownies.
Five days a week, Micah and Caleb Dailey (brothers) and Bryan Juarez (their roommate) wake up at 5 AM and head to work at a warehouse. Sometime around 2:30 in the afternoon, they get home and start to dream.
In the midst of daily life, Moone Records was born, and in the midst of daily life, the heart of Moone Records continues to beat straight out of this living room. It’s beating now, with all its fury, as the dog continues to bark, and baby Jude tries throw his toy records in the trash can.
October 9th marks the second Spiritual Warfare released under Moone Records’ Album Release Program!
MIXTAPE Vol. 1is a 5 song EP of chopped up and rearranged 60s Bollywood songs, with overlaying vocals from Spiritual Warfare. Snag a FREE Digital-copy today!
Spiritual Warfare‘s solo performer Joel Marquard was kind enough to have a quick chat with Eric Hughes about this fun mix!
~~~ EH: For this MIXTAPES Vol. 1 release, I’m really curious about what your approach to putting the songs together was…
Were the samples you used already stuff you were listening to? Or did you seek them out for the project?
It was only a matter of time before soundscape masters Richard Houghten (bloomypetal) & Brandon Burger (Parallel) joined forces again to bring our world A Cosmic Gift.
Simply calling Richard a musician would be a grave disservice to him. Mr. Houghten is a true artist in every sense and routinely goes above and beyond merely creating music. From original album art, music videos, and by the way – he lathe-cuts his own releases by hand with equipment he traveled all the way to Germany to train on how to use.
