Interview

The Soft Moon

Interview by Brenda Bosma
Photos shot by Julie Lansom in Paris, France

Though its probably not tough to stand in stark contrast to Captured Tracks’ stable of shimmering guitar pop and indie folk, The Soft Moon’s brooding post-punk makes even his most moody labelmates sound angelic. Having relocated to the Italian countryside to work on his new album, Luis Vasquez talked to us about the bitterness of Italian espressos, the dark side of the Soft Moon and being obsessed with the self.

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Finally, la Dolce Vita!

Yes, I’m living it. My manager who’s from Venice suggested this when I’d told him I was looking for a place in Europe where it could be simple and quiet.

Are you hooked to that kind of life now?

I’m generally a pretty optimistic person, but whenever I express myself musically, it just comes out full with all these heavy emotions

Pretty much, but in a week I’m moving to Berlin.

That’s quite the contrast. Do you like to go between those extremes?

Normally I kinda like stimulation in that way, yes. It’s nice to take a break from the hecticness of touring and come down from that.

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So, how simple is your life now in Italy?

Right now I see mountains, trees and clouds, I’m smelling espresso. Got an aftertaste of bitterness, but that’s just literally. (Laughs)

You could say The Soft Moon tastes quite bitter.

Well, I really don’t know where the darkness comes from if that’s what you mean. I’m generally a pretty optimistic person, but whenever I express myself musically, it just comes out full with all these heavy emotions. Writing is therapy for me and a way for me to understand myself.

Is it getting clearer?

Actually the further I go, the worse it gets.

Hmm…

It’s strange, I guess I’m revealing the things that I’ve purposely or subconsciously hidden from myself. Once revealed I realize how fucked up I am internally.

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Revealing your own fucked-upness sounds like something you shouldn’t do everyday.

Well… The music itself is a way to conquer that. There’s actually hope if you look for it. Naturally I’m having fun also, but there’s a bigger purpose.

You’re a servant?

I feel like my own servant. I have this uncontrollable obsession to create for myself to learn about who and what I am, why I’m on this planet, why I feel certain ways. For me music is the only means to explore all these things. It’s like i’m searching for answers and meanings of my own existence. The final product has to be as honest and true and has to reflect how emotional I feel.

I’ve had a lot of time to spend by myself here in Italy. I have to look at myself constantly.

What does ‘true’ mean in that sense?

There’s something unknown inside that guides me physically to create and I just let go. Usually what comes out is painful, but there’s always some sort of revelation. It’s my truth. Also, everything has to have a purpose, not just the lyrics, every sound, everything. Something as little as a snare drum, if I’m writing something aggressive, I want something to accompany that. It’s exhausting, but I can’t stop.

How does learning about yourself mix in into the newest songs?

They are probably the most emotional songs I’ve ever written, and also the most aggressive. I’ve had a lot of time to spend by myself here in Italy. I have to look at myself constantly.

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Why do you do that?

Because I want to be happy, I don’t want to feel the way I feel anymore. It’s my goal to conquer this and become a happy person.

Do you also peel an orange slowly?

Yeah, my everyday thoughts, decisions and movements are just like in the music; slowly and with focus.

Is music your everything?

I guess music is my everything.

Is that liberating to say?

It is. At least I have a way of learning about who I am, and what I am. It is the only way to express myself. It’s funny, because I’m expressing such personal thoughts, but I don’t know how to express myself in day to day situations and am pretty uneasy in public. I find it ironic that I have so much to say in music.

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The Soft Moon is playing at Melkweg, Amsterdam on Friday 5 June.