This past February, The Soft Moon celebrated the release of their fourth studio album Criminal with a sold out three-night residency hosted by aufnahme+wiedergabe at Urban Spree in Berlin.
We were there early and late, documenting the concerts, each which had a different opener each night. The first night featured The Devil and The Universe, the second Veil of Light, and the third SΛRIN.
Immediately after closing each set’s encore on the first and last night at Urban Spree, we spoke backstage Soft Moon mastermind Luis Vasquez about the importance of honest expression in music, and “filling the void” with earnest communication and emotion.
Another underlying theme to both the concert and interview is how artists and musicians can work together to fill this void by picking talented bands to take on tour, such as Boy Harsher, who opened for all the proceeding North American dates live dates in support of Criminal, and Luis’ friendship with Deb Demure of Drab Majesty, whom he comments on in the interview.
In perhaps an act of karma—the sense of community and support of fellow artists has already had its return, as The Cure’s Robert Smith personally contacted Luis, asking if he was “not too busy”, and would like to perform at the 25th annual Meltdown Festival in London.
Luis is now set to perform twice during the festival, with the first gig taking place on June 23rd as an opening slot for My Bloody Valentine, and the second a headlining spot on the 24th with fellow Berlin musicians The KVB.
Criminal is out now via Sacred Bones
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