Sit down with up and coming indie artist, Elliot Moss and band
First it was being the mastermind behind his debut album “Highspeeds”, which he primarily created himself. Then, it was opening for bands such as Cold War Kids, Nadasurf and Digitalism. Now, Moss has concluded another seven-week long American tour with alt-pop duo, Oh Wonder, but this is not the end of this musician's road to success.
Originating from the suburbs of New York, Elliot Moss set out on a dream to create a different style of music. Moss’s music exudes gloomy yet heart-breaking lyrics infused with soothing synthesized beats with a touch of electric guitar. The 23-year-old vocals have been compared to the likes of Bon Iver, James Blake and Chet Faker.
Prior to his current tour, Moss mainly played solo shows. But after playing events such as SXSW and CMJ, Moss congregated a five man show for live performances. While touring with Oh Wonder, Moss brought along two members of said band, Devin Collins(drums) and Evan Marien(bass and synth).
I had the opportunity to see Moss’s opening set at the Oh Wonder concert at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He graced the audience with his alternative-electronic beats that formed a nearly intoxicating-ly tranquilizing atmosphere. Playing songs such as “Slip” and “Faraday Cage," Moss and his band surely impressed the crowd. After his set, I had the chance to sit down and talk to the band after their set.
Me: How old were you guys when you realized you wanted to pursue music as a career?
Elliot: 15, 16 I would say. As soon a I started playing music I knew I was going to do this. From then on I thought that was kind of it and never thought beyond that.
Me: Who were your biggest influences growing up?
Elliot: Definitely David Burne, also talking heads counts David Burne Apex Twin, Bonaboo, Caraboo, Massive Attack, Square Pusher, I could go on.
Evan: I’m going to put a ditto on all of that.
Me (To Devin): Did you have any influences growing up?
Devin: Pretty much no influences (everyone laughs), I’m pretty much just, straight out of the gate-
Evan: He was born holding a bass.
Elliot: He’s never heard music; we don’t let him let him listen to it.
Devin: -besides playing music I don’t listen too. (Evan and Elliot continue to poke fun at Devin)
Me: How many tours have you guys been on so far?
Elliot: Yeah about 6-7, first gig was in Rough Trade over in New York, it’s near Brooklyn.
Me: So what’s the typical day like when on tour?
Elliot: You sit in the van pretty much all day, and then you walk around the city for about 45 minutes. You set up, do sound check, play the gig then find dinner at like, midnight then get back in the van.
Me: What is your most and least favorite thing about touring?
Elliot: Favorite is definitely seeing all the cities and meeting people. Least favorite would have to be not getting enough sleep, sometimes that can be pretty hard.
Evan: Yeah pretty much the same.
Me: So when you’re making your music, what emotion or feeling do you want the audience to take away?
Elliot: Well, the whole Highspeeds stuff is all very binaural and sound-scapy and you’re supposed to like, the idea was you’re supposed to shut your eyes and kind of picture this space that you’re in. Just go on and play the movie that’s in your head. Through that I think you can use that sort of imagery as a device to get your message across much more strongly.
Me: So what advice would give to those who are pursuing a career just like yours?
Elliot: Keep doing it as much as you possibly can and get it wherever you can possibly get it. Go all over the internet and share it with your friends and their friends- at some point something is going to spark for you and that’ll be that.
Me: Have to ask... what’s your favorite show on Netflix right now?
Elliot: Oh that’s the hardest question you’ve asked me by far.
Evan: We’ve been watching Black Mirror-
Me: I just started watching that the other day, it looks amazing.
Elliot: So good, ridiculous, season three is insane, my God, it’s really good.
Evan: That’s all he’s been doing, he’s been like “Have you watched Black Mirror yet?”
Elliot: (Disregarding Evan) House of Cards, Daredevil, what else, there’s something else I’ve been really into…
Evan: Stranger Things. Star Trek-Next Gen.
Elliot: I put Star Trek-Next Generation when I sleep at night.
Check out Elliot Moss’s debut album Highspeeds on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud. Photo taken by me.