As MOON AND ARIES, Tom Aries, a German composer and producer, and Jordana Moon, a Canadian writer and singer, collaborate. to provide comfort and security for a better future.
Regarding the brand-new MOON AND ARIES song “TAKE ME HOME” and EP “PARADISE”: The goal of this musical duo is to create music that uplifts listeners’ moods and vibrations. The success of their debut album, The Arrival, which featured nine songs that were looped on the radio, in lounges, hotels, and clubs, among other places, has inspired Moon and Aries to continue on their journey because they were both born musicians. Synthesizers and wistful melodies were combined with their love of retro and futuristic concepts to create an album that transports you back and forth in time. Moon and Aries have expanded their sound as they continue on their musical journey in order to fully embody their self-described genre of “Synth Pop Opera.” The theatrical, high concept music that Moon and Aries are known for is what makes their latest EP nothing less than a total body energizing experience.
Moon and Aries arrive in paradise after their existential exploration of the gloomy night to “The Arrival.” The EP contains five tenacious songs that not only enthrall you but also delve deeper into your soul. The duo is still successful because of their musical ties and desire to write music that reflects the times. Check out the EP and the exclusive Interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you all come from and how it all got started?
MOON AND ARIES: Hello, Tom Aries here. Thanks for having Jordana and me in your great magazine! Jordana (Moon) and I met on Instagram during the beginning phases of the pandemic. She is from Western Canada and I am from Western Germany. We still live with this 9hrs time distance. Perfect social distancing! 😊
Both of us were composing and putting out original music, looking to expand our community on Instagram. We were both instant fans of each other’s work– starting in March 2020.
I was always looking to collaborate with other singers & lyrics writers, and Jordana`s original solo songs are based on a truly magical writing talent – transported by her very unique and fantastic voice.
I always hoped she would want to work with me, and after six months of friendship on Instagram, the right time came. In the end of summer 2020, we began to work on “Never Ending Escape”, the final song on the album “The Arrival” and our first song together.
Because that song went so well, we knew we had to keep going and see what we could unravel and create together. So we became Moon and Aries.
And it was the best musical decision for both of us: music by Tom Aries and lyrics & vocals by Jordana Moon are the perfect match for a new music duo called MOON AND ARIES.
2. Did you guys have any formal training or are you self-taught?
MOON AND ARIES: Jordanas and my upbringing was similar in the way that we were both surrounded by music. It was a huge part of our daily lives. We both started playing piano at an early age. I had a classical piano education from age 6-16. Then, I went off to learn more about electronic synthesizer. I am still a huge fan of the synthesizer sounds of the 80s. Not surprising – as everyone can hear now in our songs.
Jordana also learned the violin and guitar, and then of course, voice lessons.
Both, Jordana and I were in bands in our late teens, early 20s – and Jordana was also doing theatre. She studied creative writing at Vancouver film school, and she enjoys writing music with themes of high consciousness.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘MOON AND ARIES’?
MOON AND ARIES: Jordana and I are both into nostalgia or the now called “retro sound”. We also love the same movies and books.
We have similar tastes, which of course makes making music easier, but we both love and are inspired by ABBA, BeeGees, David Bowie, A-ha, Massive Attack, Portishead, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Kate Bush, and even jazz and musical theatre! Of course we are mainly influenced by the music of the 70s, 80s and early 90s. The decades with – in our opinion – best creative songwriting and storytelling. With a many unique artists and their high class music.
About our name: Jordana and I talked someday about astrology. We found out that she is a “Cancer with Moon in Aries”. And I am an “Aries with Moon in Cancer”. We talked about this “Moon” synchronicity for us and after Jordana “played” with the words in a way of “Moon in Aries – Moon and Aries” – we both directly decided to use this perfect band name.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
MOON AND ARIES: The music we create is meant to elevate people. To have a full body activation experience, and feel a sense of inner peace and a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. Jordana and I have performed on stages our whole lives, just not as Moon and Aries yet. So, with our music and combined efforts our mission is to provide a high vibe experience at our concerts.
We hope to invoke a spiritual experience for the ones who come to see us live. It is hard for us (and sometimes for others too. .. 😊…) to find a genre for us.
So we created our own genre: Synthpop Opera. We would describe this genre as a combination of Triphop, Electronic, Synthpop, Adult Contemporary, Musical, Opera. Or in short: Synthpop Opera. 😊
MOON AND ARIES:
Well, Jordana is living in Canada, and I still in Germany. We had to learn to work together over distance in a unique way.
First, we talk about the concept of each song we wish to create. We talk about the full album or EP, and how to make sure the storyline has a nice flow and can take the listeners on a journey. We will have the title and concept first. Then I start to develop a first composition idea to that. Sending the instrumental over to Jordana via file sharing, where she then writes the magical lyrics and finds the perfect vocal melody. Sometimes the songs take weeks to get right. Sometimes only a few days. 😊
Of course we are influenced by our great idols of the past. But the described process of our song development – based on our own life stories – finally gave us our own sound.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
MOON AND ARIES:
Good question. There was a time where music really themed the collective awakening. Especially in the 70s and 80s. But we are happy to do this during these times too. However, the industry is more controlled and operated by certain people who might not want this level of awareness in music. So Jordana and I remain independent and make the music we are inspired and guided to share.
So much of the innovative, exciting, and good music is coming from indie artists and people are starting to realize this. We also think big labels will be a thing of the past. Most musicians just want to make a proper living when you’ve put in the proper effort. That’s what we want.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
MOON AND ARIES:
Honestly: The best time is the time when we are working on new songs and developing them together. This feeling of excitement and inner peace at the same time is really fulfilling to us.
But we both love to perform live on stage: So we are hoping to realize this very soon. It is time for us to be more visible on stage and to share our music globally. To travel around the world and connect to people who love our music, the meaningful lyrics – both coming from our inner heart(s) and soul(s).
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
MOON AND ARIES:
Well, Jordana is living in Canada and I in Germany so we had to learn to work together over distance in a unique way.
We talk about the concept of each song we wish to create. We talk about the full album or EP and how to make sure the storyline has a nice flow and can take the listeners on a journey. We will have the title and concept first. All our songs explore a deeper connection with yourself and the outside world, looking at new perspectives, angles, and out of the box ways of thinking. Very much rooted in metaphysics and quantum physics and the esoteric.
Then I start to develop a first composition idea to that on the piano. Sending the instrumental over to Jordana, where she then writes the magical lyrics and finds the perfect vocal melody. Sometimes the song takes us days and weeks to get right. Sometimes only hours.
Of course we are influenced by our great idols of the past. But the described process of our song development – based on our own stories – finally gave us our own sound. We have a wonderful mix and mastering team with us. They are helping us to keep our unique sound also in the final mix and mastering. And of course we collaborate with an amazing cover art and digital video designer.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
MOON AND ARIES: Really difficult to answer. We are not 20 anymore. Older. Hopefully more experienced. So we have learned to deal with a lot of rejection, wrong behavior, or different mindset of people in the music industry- rollercoaster life situations of an artist. To summarize it: It is not one difficult moment. It is always important to stay positive and to continue your unique way. Your guided path of the universe. To believe in your dream to only make music in your life. And to finance your life with that unconditional music love. Not easy. 😊.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
MOON AND ARIES: The amazing lovely feedback from others about our music and how they feel while listening is the greatest success so far.
To receive messages from listeners that they always feel so much better during and after listening to our songs is the best.
We do not count only Spotify streaming numbers or try to reach a special number of streams. We are proud to now have one full album and one EP out in 2022. 14 songs. Made with pure music/songwriting love.
And so much more to come very soon!
This is a wonderful journey together as Moon and Aries and we are looking forward to all the next positive moments in our music life.
We are enjoying the ride! Everyone is invited to hopefully feel connected.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know us a little better and helping us to reach more people who could be interested in our music. Talk again soon!
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