German Duo

What would the world be without favourite bands? And favourite bands releasing favourite videos? Moon Duo have released the next single "I Can See" from their current album "Circles" and, with it, a fantastic new video. As a little extra, the entire text has been translated and re-recorded in German. So very neat!

Review: Moon Duo (again) + Camera

I often take the longest over reviews of concerts that I really liked. It seems paradox but maybe it is because I want to do those reviews extra well in order to pay adequate tribute to the performance. It has been a couple of weeks again since Moon Duo played at HAU1 but I am still inspired by it.

Sure, I have praised Moon Duo before and extensively on this blog. There is a teenager in me that still has favourite bands, like Health, and like Moon Duo. What exactly attracts me to those bands is of course the music, but also the imagery and coolness factor. There - I have said it out loud. And really, it doesn't get much cooler than Moon Duo. 

So far, I have only seen Ripley Johnson's musical projects at Festsaal. Both Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo have passed through Festsaal regularly. It was therefore surprising to hear that Moon Duo had been booked into HAU, itself newly refurbished after a summer break. On that note, HAU did not look any different to me really, but I suppose it takes some real effort to keep it just the way it is, which is beautiful. I wish I could make my flat look like HAU, with its combination of dark wood panelling, Art Deco lighting and modern art. But that's a topic for an interior design blog and maybe beside the point here.

Today, make it an early night at HAU

Oh boy, I am so excited about Moon Duo and Camera later, I just can't hide it. And it's all early, so the fun can just continue with some crazy dancing somewhere in town afterwards. Make sure you have dinner at traditional German time (6pm) and make it to HAU1 at your earliest convenience if you don't want to miss both (!) bands tonight:

Timings for tonight are EARLY! and we like it that way: 

Doors 7pm
Camera 8pm 
Moon Duo 8:45pm

Meet me there, yeah yeah!!

Lisboa report II: Moon Duo

Going to a gig in Southern Europe is different to going to a gig in Berlin. And then it is also not. 

It was still hot late at night when we strolled through Lisbon after a nice dinner at a gay-friendly restaurant (funny how they make a point of advertising this fact) and watched the craziness of a Saturday night in Lisbon's entertainment district. We thought we were "on time" arriving at the venue way past midnight. But we were the first guests to show up and had to wait another full hour before the support band played. 

I cannot remember the name and I don't feel it is relevant to google them. They were a cute local college two-piece and the girls knew how to rock, in a lo-fi way. Their friends had come out in support and there was some serious youth club dancing going on. It was all rather quaint. 

The venue was actually a super hip, very chique club below street level, near the waterfront. The drinks on offer were posh and those that had come out to see Moon Duo rather than the college support band were clearly young hip professionals and probably a few tourists. The audience was therefore rather reserved, albeit into the headline band, and not nearly as passionate as I would have maybe expected, given the hot Southern stereotype.

Moon Duo played anything from very old material to songs of the new forthcoming album. For the new record, the concept hasn't changed much - it is still repetitive, doodly, sexy and übercool. As always, they rocked so hard, they looked so cool, the songs worked so well. People were into it, you could tell. And I was the fan that I am again. Forgotten was our dinner the night before, forgotten the hang outs at other times. Now there was my favourite band and I was their biggest fan. 

It was a nice taster for the new album and the upcoming Berlin gig this autumn. And when people came and asked for autographs after the gig, I knew it wasn't just me who gets this mesmerised by their music and stage presence. I simply love Moon Duo and so does the world.

Moon love

Ahead of their album release next month and an extensive tour later in the autumn, Moon Duo released this video yesterday. OMG I love this so! Watch this! It is absolutely amazing, plus you may just recognise some familiar Berlin faces. The band shot the video in Berlin this summer and managed to recruit many local music startlets as volunteers.

Review: Moon Duo + Male Bonding

I like a surprise, most of the time. And this was a night of surprises! Surprise number one: the gig started at 8:40pm. I'm not kidding you. Second surprise at the time but not in hindsight: Male Bonding played before Moon Duo. (Yes, I know, doh, but beforehand I honestly thought Male Bonding were going to be on last). The third surprise comes later on.

We got to Festsaal at 9pm and were able to catch a few songs of the opening band, a trio from Italy with the name of Edible Woman (I know). They were way too crossover funk for me and I was glad when their set had ended. If you like it funky and crossover and Italian, this is for you. It wasn't for me.

Because this whole evening was running an hour early, not too many people had showed up yet when Male Bonding took the stage. However, they played for the most part of an hour and by the end, Festsaal was sufficiently filled. I like Male Bonding. They play that very straight forward indie punk, like Dinosaur Jr and bands like that, that is simply enjoyable. In addition, they have a sweet stage presence, like the kind of guys you want to hang out with afterwards. We danced and smiled, and we laughed at two guys who were taking the band's name very literal indeed, taking their shirts off and going crazy in front of (and on) the stage. They were a little creepy but made for a good additional show. Overall a very good set that included all the hits, but they could have played just a few songs less. It was a very long set, given there was another band to come, and really, most of their songs sound kind of similar when played live. Still, fun!

Now for my third suprise of the evening. I knew some older stuff by Moon Duo and it was a little stoner spacy for me. So I was planning on staying for a few songs and then calling it an early night. Ha, no way! I was so wrong. The new material is a lot more accessible and dancable. Imagine a modern-day joy division, spiced up with some really nice organ playing, a drum computer and psyechedelic guitar solos. And that two-piece girl/boy energy. The duo was rocking out on stage, which was flooded by video projections and lights that really enhanced the atmosphere. I am seldomly impressed by projections but was really loving these, only to find out afterwards that they were done by a good friend. (Another surprise for you there). The whole set was incredible and I found myself dancing until the very end and yearning for much more. Moon Duo got me addicted and would have continued through the night if it was up to me. When I got in my car I couldn't turn on the radio as I ordinarily would have done; I was still buzzing too much from the concert. 

I have a new favourite band*, yes I do!




 *(jointly with Health that is)

Here is a video of theirs that gives me goosebumps still this morning.