Often times you hear people refer to a song or album as "Epic" or "Story Driven" this is true, but I haven't heard an album quite like "VII acts of an Iron King" by the New York based band Moon & Moon. Their music is quite epic, and weaves a story in every single song. A tale filled with angst, tragedy, hunger and hope. There is a fine line where this becomes music to a piece of theater performance. The two could go hand in hand. Created quite beautifully by the band, in every sense of the word. "VII acts of an Iron King" is truly and undoubtedly Epic. I had the chance to talk with William Lemon III of Moon & Moon. Here is what he had to say.
Turtle: How are you doing today?
William Lemon: I'm well thank you I had an interesting day. I went up to a field by bear mountain where an animal Ive never seen brings its kills. I was looking for bones to paint spells on for a show I'm having at fuse gallery in NYC on July 11th, I hope you can come. I found an exquisite jaw with all the teeth still intact but just across the field a huge buck jumped suddenly out of the water. Its hind leg must have been hit by a car because it was hanging from strips of skin and looked like it was about to fall off. It hopped away and I decided to leave to let it die in peace which is what I figured he was doing. I did however find a perfect spine and partial rib cage before leaving.
T: Upon hearing your music for the first time it was reflective of old King Crimson, mainly the stories and themes behind the music as opposed to the sound. How would you describe your music to a first time listener?
WL: It has elements and characters in word and in instrumental-metaphor that describe my religious upbringing and how that has affected my relationship to myself and loved ones. All the characters are the same person but different aspects of this one mans fight inside himself. Its best heard on headphones very loud all the way through and with a psychological modifier to intensify the visual sound.
Your album “VII acts of an Iron King” is quite the concept album, can you elaborate on how it came to be, and what message is behind it all? Ive elaborated on some of this question, but... All of mans fights start with the same base character flaws. I have reduced these to 7 basic characters we all contain but some are more prevalent in us than others. The king, the passion- the soldier or the boy- the victim or the ghost- the majician politician flim flam man- the priest the rabbi the shake the holy spirit- the celebrator, Mr. mission accomplished- the realisation the regret the ascension the watcher.....
T: What do you feel Moon & Moon brings to a live show?
WL: make up and outfit changes and what I try to make an unexpected play for music lovers.
T: What are some of the elements you try to encapsulate in a live performance?
WL: The characters in each song and their true emotions.
T: What can a listener expect from a Moon & Moon show?
WL: Lots of instruments and performance and hopefully an unforgettable time that conveys a very special story about people
T: Any final words or plugs, shout outs etc?
WL: Thanks to all who performed and contributed, too many to name. God bless Stephen Kurtz.
T: What does the future hold for Moon & Moon?
WL: 3 more tales to complete the set
I want to thank William Lemon and the rest of Moon & Moon. For More information visit their website here. Listen to them on Last FM. See them on Flickr.
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