Hiya mothshade, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Music has always been a big part of my life. I always liked to listen to all kinds of music, especially film scores. When I was younger, I was embarrassed about that! However, it really shaped my natural taste in music and my sort of ‘internal barometer’ as far as writing goes.
Introduce us to your musical history.
I started playing guitar at age 16 or so and branched out into playing bass and various electronic instruments. I went to film school and started composing for all my friends’ projects, which led to a few external opportunities for composing – culminating in winning an award for a short film score.
I’ve seen a lot of people struggling for support recently online. What’s your view on the industry?
I think it’s wonderful how accessible it has become to be able to release music publicly, but I also think it’s more important than ever to support your favorite artists and musicians personally. I’ll typically seek out if an artist has a Patreon or Bandcamp page – somewhere I can purchase their music, merchandise, or support them more directly than just streaming.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I’ve always been on the fringe of the independent side of the industry. I have a lot of self-published albums under a different name, and I’ve scored a lot of short films. I wanted to bring that experience into a project that might be a little more accessible or easier for a general audience to relate to and connect with. I hope to make a humble living through it and continue to be a stay-at-home dad.
Tell us two truths and a lie about you.
I’ve hiked mountains in Hawaii, Canada, and Indonesia.
I’ve Skype called Stanford University engineers about a robotic spacecraft prototype.
I have dual degrees in Planetary Science and Astrophysics.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
Occasionally. I do my best to be empathetic and open to learning. If I’ve offended someone, I want to know why and try to be better. Nobody’s perfect, but it’s important to be receptive to others’ viewpoints, especially if it comes from a different perspective than your own.
What can you tell us about your debut album?
LIMINAL is a sort of journey about realizing and confronting some negative aspects about yourself and learning to accept them. Musically, it mostly mixes electric guitars with synthesizers and a drum kit to create a kind of aggressive, gritty, rock-based tone. There’s some samples of machinery or more unique percussion, influenced by industrial genres. Lastly, some piano and orchestral libraries from my cinematic influences. Lyrically, it’s emotional and introspective. The idea is that the album portrays an emotional liminal space or period – a transition; a place between the two boundaries of disdain and acceptance of oneself.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was very iterative. I used my modular synth a lot on the album, and whole tracks would change by-the-day, especially if the synth spat out something new or more interesting than what I had before. Typically, I recorded and layered the synths first and then added guitars or virtual libraries. The vocals were always last.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing this album?
The vocals. I have never written or published vocals and lyrics before, and I was learning as I was writing. I used Dreamtronics’ Synthesizer V software to perform the lyrics and melodies that I had written, which meant I had to also learn how to use and manipulate a new piece of software.
You have a strong visual aesthetic with mothshade. How important is imagery and branding to your music?
I think it’s really important. It helps set the tone and mood for what the listener can expect, almost like a guide for the journey you want them to take.
With mothshade, the emblem of the moth represents transformation: a creature often seen in darkness but drawn to light. That duality is central to the music: confronting ‘ugly’ truths, whether internal or external, but ultimately searching for something hopeful.
For LIMINAL, I chose an ancient temple motif because it connects with the introspective and meditative nature of the lyrics. There’s a sense of mystery, a kind of sacredness, that fits the album’s themes of transition and self-reckoning.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I’m very proud of how the album came out, and I hope it resonates with people. It was a very fulfilling project, and I am excited to see what the response to it is.
FOLLOW THEM HERE // STREAM HERE
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