Moon and Aries, the dynamic duo just released their third album Break The Matrix and it’s sure to be a staple in every electronic, soul and R&B playlist. Their signature sounds which blends multiple genres, is on full display. Moon and Aries have a rich and diverse background in music. When you pay close attention to their albums you see the iceberg of nuance and genres folded so neatly into each and every song. J Moon brings forth some interesting facts about the duo and their music creation process.
Break the Matrix
This particular album is unique and captivating with it’s futuristic soundscape. It draws its listeners in with its hypnotic beats and ethereal melodies. The entire album feels like an adventure. As if you are floating between tall grass and seeing new species moving past you with each note
Your music incorporates a variety of genres, from electronic to soul to R&B. How do you approach blending and balancing these different styles?
All of our concepts are born out of our conversations. There will be reoccurring topics that keep coming up for us that are big themes along our journey. Themes from the past that haunt us and cause us to confront these obstacles, or themes that we need to purge and find the melody and words to exactly how we feel. This is our 3rd release as a duo. So we know each other very well at this point. And so when it comes to our philosophies, opinions and views, Tom and I have a safe space in our conversations, and a protection in the songs we create. We both feel that each song concept is an important story for us to tell, and like a new twist and vibe on a typical storyline. Break The Matrix, is basically about moving from the old paradigm to a new World. Within and on the outside. So, these are deep esoteric philosophies based in metaphysics and quantum theories… that lead us to the ultimate questions like “who are we and why are we here ” and … “where are we going”. Is the greatest goal absolute illumination and enlightenment? Maybe for us it is.
The Balancing Act of Blending by Moon And Aries
As you hear the number you hear the different sensibilities of the song start to show itself, Moon’s sense of cinematic presence with Aries piano and produtcion expertise all of it. You particularly hear Moon’s musical experience show up in a tone of places but particularly in Rescued and The In Between. It feels adventurous to observe and pick out who’s sensibilities shine where in particular songs.
Your Album “Break the Matrix” has a really unique and futuristic soundscape. Can you talk about the inspiration behind this project and how you brought it to life?
When it comes to fusions of genres in our music, both of us have so much colliding in our conscious motivations and subconscious inspirations. I come from a background of musical theater and jazz, but I also went to film school and studied how to write for film and television. Tom comes from a background of conservatory piano, creating soundtracks for video games and performing in bands. So, when we amalgamate our personal styles, along with our musical preferences, I think we have a fusion of about 10 different genres! Which has now become our signature sound.
Growth and Take aways
Tom (Aries) brings forth his experience as creator of music for gaming in Closer and Closer. While the rest of the album is mixed and mastered to perfection, this one comes with the added layer of experience. It’s got this trickling quality that has you pushed into a world that is created by Moon and Aries. The evolution of discovering yourself through your music is fascinating to observe.
The music you write often explores themes of personal growth and self-discovery. How do you translate these complex ideas into your lyrics and melodies? What do you hope your listeners take away from your music?
As the lyricist, I always layer my lyrics in a poetic fashion so that people can gain something new every time they listen. Even I get something new! I channel a lot of my lyrics as I immerse myself into the energy and frequency of the music that Tom creates. Before Tom creates anything, we have always flushed the idea out tho…. For months usually. Tom transports his inner core and truth in the essence of the instrumental and melody. Then it’s up to me to live in that World and paint the picture with my words. Each of our songs are never about one thing or one person. They reflect on our 3 main relationships: The one we have with ourselves, the ones we have with other people/ place / things, and the one we have with God/ Universe.
We always hope the listeners feel spiritually charged and activated as they listen and for moments after. Whether the song is uplifting or relaxing, we hope they help you get in touch with your infinite nature and free will to explore and experience
Distance brings discovery
What is fascinating is that they have built and engineered this album from two different countries and have never met. The distance must add to the kind of music one creates. You also notice the growth of influence when you hear their previous collaborations. Their Chemistry shines in every single song in the album
Both of you are based out of Canada and Germany over the course of your careers. How have these different environments impacted your creative process and how has your individual music-writing process changed since you started this collaboration?
Tom has been my greatest collaboration partner of all time. No close competition. And we’ve both had many! But Tom and I have this ability to live in each other’s World’s, nine hrs away. To be honest, it’s easier to integrate this level of intense mirroring at a distance and to progress and level up at our own pace. To achieve what we are achieving through our music, it takes a very intense level of self discovery, reflection and also viewing the human condition, constantly. But my favorite thing to do is write over Tom’s brilliant and magical instrumentals. To dig deep and find these golden truths within. It’s become an addiction, almost, this level of musical exploration. We both can’t imagine our lives without Moon and Aries.
And after 3 years of distance – working in our own home studios, Tom and I are ready for an upgrade in our musical journey by closing this time gap, being together in person, creating more music and most of all, performing live. With 23 released songs, it’s time for the next chapter.
The Finale
It is such a surprise to hear Tom’ s(Aries) voice in the last track Loosing control. To finally hear the two creators voice in the same song feels so satisfying to the listeners. It becomes the perfect end to the entire album, tying the experience together. The entire album evokes such great imagery. Their cinematic crafting of music would be wonderful in Cosmos by Andrzej Zulawski which was his last film. The playlist on film starts of classic and ends in experimental synth. This was done to amp up the eerieness in the film. The absurdist film turned into a critically acclaimed film and made its mark in the cinematic world. You must catch such beautiful craftsmanship and support them by following them on their socials in the links attached below.