Western Australia continually seems to foster and create all things dreamy and whimsical when it comes to musical output, and for artist Monsoon Moon (aka Shaun Pickett, formerly revered as Command Q) there's certainly a whiff of the ethereal with his sleek and stirring brand of indie-electronic wonderment.
Off the back of huge acclaim on the world stage after being noticed by Diplo and Skrillex under his Command Q moniker, the brand new Monsoon Moon project has not only allowed Pickett a chance to flex new and untapped musical muscles, but to also find a mode of expression not freely found in his past life, as seen on his broody kaleidoscopic release 'Just Friends'.
With the second half of 2019 now in full swing, Monsoon Moon is gearing up to unveil more catchy treats from his growing body of work. But in the meantime, we grabbed the man himself to chat songs, sounds and a secret or two! Interview below.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND IN THE WHOLE WORLD?
Rain falling on the roof of a tent. Or my Mum shouting “Dinners ready!!”
WHAT'S THE FIRST ALBUM/SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT YOURSELF?
Korn Issues 1999. My brother already owned their previous album and I had rinsed that album to death. I walked into Sanity the day Korn - Issues came out. I was so excited, I had a good stereo in my room and all my favourite pencils and texters to draw with whilst I listened to the album.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE RELEASE SO FAR FOR 2019?
Ooooh, I’ve only properly listened to Miley Cyrus’s album this year. I’m halfwaythrough the new chemical brothers album which I suspect I will thoroughly enjoy. It’s going to have to be Miley by default. It’s a 6 track EP and it’s really good,honest music. As always her vocals are spectacular and the production is insane.
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM GEAR SET-UP? ARE YOU LUSTING AFTER ANY PARTICULAR INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT?
YUUUS! A Roland 4 piece, V-series electronic drumkit. I’m currently working onmy show and I want to have a light drum set that’s easy to tour and carry along sidemy piano and computer. This is easier said than done. I still can’t figure out how toplay a show and carry all the equipment by myself to and from airports. As fordistant dreams, I would love to own a Manley Voxbox and plug it into a U87imicrophone for vocal recording.
WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE AUSSIE BAND OR ARTIST RIGHT NOW AND WHY?
There isn’t one band thats really doing it for me on all fronts this year. I’ve been spreading my listening out quite a bit and listening to singles as opposed to albums. Artists like No Mono, Life is Better Blonde, Ok Moon and Angus Dawson have all been queued in my apple playlist this month and so far I like what I hear.
WHAT'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU WERE GIVEN WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
The music industry is the Wild West of industries. Nobody knows what they’re doing, you just gotta dive in the deep end and make the most of it! Everyone frequently thinks to themselves, “how the hell am I supposed to accomplish this” or “these important people aren’t replying to me, what do i do now”. Yes, what do you do? Nobody really knows! It’s both unfortunate and exciting that no 2 people can follow the same path. Don’t be afraid of years of failure, we’re all going through it together.
WHAT'S ONE SECRET ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DIVULGE?
Hmmm. For the last 6 consecutive nights, I’ve eaten peanut butter out of the jar when no ones around mwuaha! And more seriously, it’s been 2 years since I’ve performed live. At the front of my mind I hope that’ll Ill be good enough for my audience.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR MONSOON MOON?
Releasing the next 2 singles, wooh! And releasing a 6 track EP early next year. I also hope I’ll have finished my live show before November and be performing in my home town. :)
FOR MORE MONSOON MOON INFO, HEAD HERE.
JUST FRIENDS (MONSOON MOON)
BY TIANA SPETER