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Interview with Moonwlk

Go to:  Moonwlk artist's page.

Where does Moonwlk get its diverse sound from, what are your influences?
Gabbi: I’m a sucker for pop music, the jazz classics, and Broadway hits.
Nick: 80s thrash metal, 90s and early 2000s death metal, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews, and Bjork. My favorite producers are Bob Rock, Rick Rubin, Ross Robinson, and Babyface ... it’s a weird eclectic mix, but that’s what makes me me!

When did the band form, how did you meet?
Gabbi: Nick and I met maybe in 2008. We were always hanging out with the same group of friends, pursuing music in our own avenues. Our friends convinced us to try something together, and it just worked.
Nick: I admired the way Gabbi sang and admired her poetry just as much. I figured she would be a great partner for a new project which involved expressing ourselves a bit more introspectively yet accessible to a wider range of audience.

Why do you think the band has obtained such a strong following in such short space of time?
Gabbi: I think it helped a lot that Nick and I came from different backgrounds, and that this wasn’t our first time delving into the music scene. We both had something to bring to the table. Also, the internet helps A LOT. It’s an exciting time to be a musician.
Nick: Networking and connections are important, however it’s also versatility in music and musicianship which I feel makes us more accessible to the wider audience. Both me and Gabbi bring something different to the table, all the while bringing those two contrasting aspects together for people to enjoy.

Tell me about your background?
Gabbi: I’m an education major, so my career up until recently was geared towards being an educator. Music has always been a constant in my life no matter what I was doing. In the course of my career as a licensed teacher, I’ve done three musical plays in professional theater, sang with a jazz band, and also worked a couple stints in Malaysia with a professional choir that I’ve also had the pleasure of touring the Philippines with. Apart from that, I continuously do voice overs for radio and TV commercials.
Nick: In high school, I played guitar in a death metal band called Animosity. However, i am classically trained with the contrabass, then got my degree in musical composition. After that, I was a grade school music teacher in a very strict catholic school, then I left that field to become a producer for indie bands and solo artists. Music has and always will be a part of my life as well.

Asia seems to be producing some wonderful undiscovered artists. Why is that?
Gabbi: I’d like to think that the sound people are discovering now was always there, but it’s easier now to create, produce, and share it thanks to the internet.
Nick: Asians are very hard working. I think we all want to make our mark any way we can.

How does it feel to have so many people share your music to the world?
Gabbi: It’s great!! When we make music, it’s mainly for self-expression, but we always wish that it resonates with people. For our music to be shared is a wonderful affirmation that we’re doing a good job.
Nick: When you live in the Philippines and some dude in Spain or France tells you that our music is their favorite thing to listen to before they start their day, it’s a bit surreal, but it’s real and it feels incredible.

What’s next for Moonwlk?
Gabbi: Right now, we’re working on an EP. We want to be able to produce another music video later this year too, and maybe join (and win) some more competitions to help our music gain more prestige.
Nick: New music that incorporates both electronic and actual instruments, that will most likely be our next project in the form of an EP. We will also collaborate with artists from SG and Indonesia. Stay tuned for that. I’ll prob get a new haircut too at one point.

Where can people see you play?
Gabbi: Here in the Philippines, we haunt the usual indie bars and events, and join music festivals every so often.
Nick: We like to LIVE STREAM from Facebook often so you can watch us anywhere in the world haha!

Any plans to come to Australia?
Gabbi: Personally, I would love that, especially if there was an audience willing to give us a listen.
Nick: Let’s make it happen!