Moods - Music Saved My Life (Single) + 10 Questions

Dutch artist Moods has unveiled new single ‘Music Saved My Life’, out 24th September on Kraak & Smaak’s Boogie Angst label.

Recorded live in the city of Leiden with a full band during the peak of the pandemic, ‘Music Saved My Life’ ebbs and flows around supple grooves, delicate guitar licks and a touch of brass - a combination that reiterates the project's soulful jazz influences. It follows recent single ‘Sinner’ featuring Nic Hanson, with both tracks set to feature on Moods’ forthcoming album, playfully titled Music Ruined My Life.

Drawing influences from acclaimed instrumental hip-hop titans such as Pete Rock, J Dilla and Nujabes, Moods is moniker of Rotterdam-based producer Nick Lubbersen. At the intersection of electronic and contemporary R&B, his sound is based around lo-fi flavours and soulful undertones, while his well-received debut album Zoom Out has amassed more than 30 million global streams.

Moods sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

It started when I was 9 years old I believe. I was heavy into skateboarding and the whole culture around it brought me a lot of musical impressions. I used to watch a lot of skate videos and the music they used got me so hyped to skate. It was not the stuff you would hear on the Dutch radio - from underground hip hop to trip-hop to rock to more obscure stuff, it was all there really. I got my early education through that and it definitely sparked something. When I was around 12, I started to find out about hip hop and the producer side of it. Pete Rock - Petestrumentals was the album that had me obsessed. “A Little Soul” was the one. The sound was authentic and the way the drums were sounding, I couldn't get enough of it. My brother had a friend who showed me the Fruity Loops studio software. And from there on I realised that I can actually learn how to do this myself. That was the beginning of where I’m at now. Music has been an obsession for a very long time.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Usually artists that have something unique going on influence me. I’m always into the detail of how a track sounds sonically. Little characteristics are important. At the moment people like quickly, quickly / The Kount / Mndsgn are inspiring to me, just to name a few. The list is long. They bring something new to the table and I appreciate that.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

It’s actually been helpful if I’m gonna have to be honest haha. There was a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do. And people around were more available because of everything being cancelled. So I used this time to work on a project that otherwise would be a lot more difficult to plan.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Joyful, warm and full of life.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Producing a track for Georgia Anne Muldrow’s album that was Grammy nominated.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Yes - be curious, have fun, commit, and try to not go mad too much. Things will start happening automatically. You got it.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

Hmm let me think. Oh yes - I stumbled on this release by Lionmilk. The album is called “I Hope You Are Well”. It’s a super interesting album and it dragged me through some lockdown times. You can see it as a little journey and it requires deep listening.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Jungle - Loving In Stereo

The Sweet Enoughs - Marshmallow

Khruangbin - Mordechai

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Hanging out with friends, exercise, seeing new places or paying taxes.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My beautiful Sennheiser HD 25 II Headphones. I have been mixing on those phones since forever.

A tall glass of water.

My 50 Rhodes plugins.