Moby talks using “the force,” recording new album + more on Feedback

On the heels of the release of his new album These Systems Are Failing, Moby joined Nik Carter and Lori Majewski for their morning show Feedback on SiriusXM VOLUME (Ch. 106) to talk about the new record, using “The Force,” working with Guns N’ Roses and much more.

Here are some highlights from Moby’s interview:

These Systems Are Failing was released on Oct. 14. Moby said he questions himself why he continues to make albums at 51 years old. “For me, the two reasons are one because I love making albums and also it’s an opportunity to draw attentions to issues that are important to me.”

Moby recalled the time he attended Depeche Mode’s first U.S. concert, when he had to use “The Force” to receive admission. “We got to the front and I showed him my I.D. and the man said, ‘You need to be 18 to get in.’ At the time I was 16 and without thinking I said to him, ‘The I.D. is two years old,’ and he got confused and he let me in.”

Moby came close to producing for Guns N Roses’ album Chinese Democracy before deciding he wasn’t the right person to produce it. “I did get a firsthand look into the mind of Axl [Rose] and it’s a very interesting place, and he actually made me feel quite paternal. Like, I almost wanted to sort of protect him in a way, because he seemed vulnerable.”

Moby has done some things that would be damaging to someone’s career but he regrets nothing, because his main goal is to not compromise the integrity of his work. “I want to dedicate my life to making music, and that means not thinking about a career. So it means not making conservative choices, and not making choices that would advance a career but compromise the integrity of the art.”

Moby said he grew up with post punk and new wave, so those sounds are encoded into his DNA. “Even though musically I’ve done a lot of different things, still at the core of my being I’m a Joy Division, New Order, Killing Joke, Depeche fan.”

Moby has only had two experiences with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of which was when he and Majewski attended a ceremony together. “It was so interesting because on one hand there were these huge successful multi-millionaire rock stars, and then there were some truly humble, remarkable people who’ve labored in obscurity.”

Feedback airs Weekdays from 7-10 a.m. ET on VOLUME (Ch. 106).

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