We check-in with the talented Moontide on the release of his excellent seven track LP…

Creatively and technically, Moontide aka Louis Tobin is one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets. A quick listen to his music unfurls the work of one highly talented cat, a musicality which reminds of artists like Nicolas Jaar and David August. It feels ethereal and real, organic and electronic, yet always soulfully mysterious.

His latest is My Youth, an exquisite seven-track ride through downtempo, Middle Eastern-flavoured ambience, sampled musings and musical trinkets. It contains the kind of productions which feel like every featured instrument was touched by him. Even more impressive is it that was recorded during April in just under three weeks. Whether it’s the longing chords of opener ‘Beloved’ or the defiant throb of ‘Youth’, there is a honesty on display which feels weirdly comforting, like you’re about to sit down with a warm cup of tea in front of the fireplace while it’s storming outside. As he explains, this is all by design: ‘The album was made with the intention to be of service in these wild and unpredictable times we live in.’ We can confirm it’s mission accomplished.

We sat down with the producer to get a peak into his very diverse range of music habits…

YOU MIGHT FIND THIS SURPRISING BUT I LOVE THIS TRACK:

Tyler the creator - Running out of time

‘This whole album was on repeat for me last year. It was hard to choose one track but not many people know about my love for this guy. The whole album has such a raw beautiful narrative of heartbreak and is a real conceptual masterpiece. On top of it the guy produces everything on the album!’

THE VERY FIRST TRACK I EVER RELEASED:

It was a song under my techno name Louis Emile called ‘Gardens’. It was released on a Melbourne label called Smash Bang Records in 2012. I was really inspired by Stimming and the Dirtybird record label and kind of merged the two, it's actually still my favorite production I did under that alias.

I COULD LISTEN TO this ON REPEAT FOREVER:

Nils Frahm - My Friend The Forest

‘Such a beautiful track and one that I listen to almost every week. I’ve seen him live quite a few times and it's always different and more beautiful live, I feel so blessed to be alive at the same time as Nils and be able to see him play in person.’

This MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH ELECTRONIC MUSIC:

Trentemoller - The Forest

‘Still such a huge inspiration to me and someone that I reference with my own productions a lot. His sense of beautiful emotive melodies and complex percussion was like nothing I’d ever heard in my life. I still listen to this track a lot as well!’

THE LAST TRACK THAT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS:

Tenderlonious - Song For My father

‘First heard this one in Kamaal Williams DJ Kicks mix and fell in love with the groove. The Flute drop in the middle is pure bliss.’

A TRACK FROM MY FAVOURITE ARTIST:

Four Tet - my angel rocks back and forth

‘Four Tet has always been such a big inspiration for this project. He is someone I really look up to as an artist and a person. His outlook on life and production has really been something I’ve tried to integrate into my work. This track is everything I love about his music,a really simple arrangement of just a few sounds but they all work seamlessly together.’

A RECENT DISCOVERY you should hear:

This is a duo from out in the hills of Byron Bay, the area I grew up in. I really don’t know anything about them other than this album is an ambient masterpiece. I’ve tried to get in contact with them but never heard anything back. This would have to be my most listened to record of the last little while. Run a bath and throw this on for some deep therapeutic effects.

I WISH I WROTE THIS TRACK:

Jose Gonzalez - Lovestain

‘This was hard to choose, but I went for simplicity. The more time I spend around music, the more respect I have for simplicity. Jose Gonzalez is the perfect example. This track/album feels like a collection of personal mantras written and put into song form. Simple yet complex arrangements it is pure bliss.’

SIX FOR ONE: Moontide