The Soft Moon was never intended for the public’s ears, but you found it, were drawn in by its danger, and insisted that others hear. Oakland’s Luis Vasquez began the project in order to better know his own self. He’d holed up in his apartment and let the tape roll, allowing gut and memory guide him. Those twin sherpas, however, led him to a place of darkness, claustrophobia and dread: a musical wasteland moving to a Motorik tic, its edges made jagged in the image of early post-punk, swathed in the moody atmosphere of vintage darkwave. Now, because the word has spread, the Soft Moon waxes again, returning with a most vicious, seething and focused second album: Zeros. They joined us before their 5GB series before their show at 529.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
The first show i ever went to was Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch at a fairgrounds in my hometown. After coming home from school I remember my mom telling me we were going somewhere but she didn’t tell me where. I think she told me to dress nice. Anyway, we pull up to the fairgrounds and the parking lot was completely full. Once we got to the line i saw a bunch of teenage girls wearing Marky Mark t-shirts. I don’t remember being too excited once i figured things out. The concert was ridiculous, full of screaming girls and Marky Mark performing with his pants down to his ankles. I think my mom thought that by going to that concert i could die a happy person.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
For me a best show equates to how cathartic it feel on stage. If i can completely lose myself and escape all reality then that’s the ultimate show for me personally. the last show i remember losing myself the most was in Berlin on Nov. 21st last year at a venue called Festsaal Kreuzberg. There was so much energy all around and i truly felt a connection with the audience. It was like we all became one fleshy being.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
This question is pretty hard for me to answer as i went to shows religiously for many years. I like different shows for different reasons. The most memorable shows for me were when i completely immersed myself in punk and it was all i listened to. Around that time i remember Descendents really blowing me away live. It really inspired me. I tend to feed off of shows like that. Amazing shows were the main motivator for me to get where i am today as a songwriter and performer.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
I’m kind of obsessed with that 80s move “The Abyss”. It would be amazing to perform in that massive alien spacecraft at the bottom of the ocean that’s revealed toward the very end of the movie. Our audience for the show would be nothing but aliens a.k.a. N.T.I. a.k.a Non-Terrestrial Intelligence.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
Suicide, Chrome, Einsturzende Neubauten, Can, Minimal Man, Liquid Liquid, A Certain Ratio, and Neu! performing in a New York sewer circa 1979.
Catch The Soft Moon Tuesday, Jan. 15th at 529
