Getting To Know... Cardinal Moses

After taking a long break over the last few years, producer Cardinal Moses has returned with the bright and shimmering new single 'smoke break (not to smoke)'.

Bringing the same smooth and laid-back grooves as acts like Beck and Tame Impala, 'smoke break (not to smoke)' makes for a wonderfully euphoric return. Packed full of glittering aesthetics, dense production, and a delightful psych-pop direction, his newest release will have you longing for summer from start to finish.

So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Drums; I've been playing for almost 13 years.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Such a variety; when I finally got out of my shell and started really discovering music I hardly knew where to start. I remember listening to Queen a lot on the school bus on my iPod classic. Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange" was instrumental for me, as was The 1975's first album. Tyler, the Creator. Definitely some Prince; I would listen to the Purple Rain album on repeat. I was into random loud metal music on and off too.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

Any of those holiday tunes that just keep making money every year. Set for life!

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

The only consistent thing I do is try to finish a song as fast as possible. If I listen to something for too long I inevitably start to hate it.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I really like Tame Impala's newest album. Also been going back and listening to stuff like The Who and Led Zeppelin. Some friends of mine have a project called Mild Wild and I dig it super hard.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

I'm not sure; sometimes a song is "sort of" about a person I know, or maybe a composite of people I know. Every song I've ever written explicitly references real people/events in my life, I just might have screwed with the details/timeline a little. I write words without any meaning in mind so the songs can be about anything, or nothing.

What has been the funniest or most unusual moment in your career so far?

It's still kind of wild to me any time someone takes the time to tell me they like some music I made. That feels like something special and unusual. I mean, I've also had drunk bar patrons collapse on my music equipment before. That's more obnoxious than funny I guess.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

This isn't the most fun answer, but I don't really have those kinds of dreams anymore. Any cool small venue with a good crowd is enough for me.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

Environmental science.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Don't bounce your double-stroke rolls.

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Cardinal Moses' new single 'smoke break (not to smoke)' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.