Hailing from Winnipeg, MoonBell is a musician and storyteller, stitching tales into his sonic output of synths, choral voices, looping effects and notably, his trumpet. Within the layers of his compositions, the influences of his experiences dwelling and journeying through the Canadian Prairies, the Rocky Mountains and Spain contribute to his entrancing sound.
This solo project is led by the talents of Josh Richert, who plays various instruments like the acoustic and electric guitar, bass, trumpet and piano as well as producing his compositions. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Jacob Collier, Louis Cole, Mimicking Birds, Snarky Puppy, and Madison Cunningham, MoonBell conjures immersive soundscapes unlike any others.
First unveiling his unique sonic vision to the world in 2021, he shared his debut single “I Will Hold You,” which kickstarted a prolific creative output that’s seen MoonBell release multiple singles, an EP and two full-length records over the last three years. His track “Something New” found a place in a 2023 Travel Manitoba promotional video, while other songs have received support from radio shows in both Canada and the UK.
Recently he’s been working on a new album, produced in MoonBell’s home studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba and set to drop in the Spring. The release draws inspiration from the philosophy that if nothing matters and there are no rules, limitless possibilities can emerge from nothingness, and meaningful creation can thrive. Bringing us the first taste of the upcoming record, he shares the curiously titled single “Are All Jazz Players Idealistic Nihilists?” Perfectly distilling the context of the whole album, posing the question about the idealistic nihilism of jazz players who eschew the traditional rules and structure of music to play whatever they want.
With “Are All Jazz Players Idealistic Nihilists?,” MoonBell crafts a truly enchanting exploration of instrumental alternative folk music cut with jazz-inflections. Opened by the lo-fi sound of plucked acoustic guitar, gently cascading as distant bells chime and the rounded touch of trumpet inject smooth top lines, the song pulls the listener into an enveloping soundscape where delicate melody meets subtle energy.
The eerie texture of haunting vocalisations sweep across the arrangement as the intricate taps of percussion and bold strikes of piano bass notes stretch the mix to an all-encompassing sound. Flowing through dreamy aesthetics as the song breaks down to the sparse flutters of guitar, rumbling drums ushers in the finale to leave a lasting memory of the new sonic world MoonBell presents.
Listen to Are All Jazz Players Idealistic Nihilists? below
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