On The Rise: Moby Rich

We recently had the chance to speak with On the rise Republic records duo, Moby Rich! Check out our conversation below!

For our readers who aren’t familiar to you or your music, can you share with us how you began your musical journey?
Maxwell: I started playing music in like 6th grade. I wasn’t good at sports so music was the first thing that I truly identified with and gave me the ability to express myself. From there I was always writing and playing in bands throughout high school until I moved out to LA once I graduated. Then I met my best friend and bandmate Connor and the rest is history. 

Connor: first off, thank you for choosing us! I’ll dive right in. my dad always had a guitar around the house, and one day my brother and I stole it. We attempted to play a song that we thought was Led Zeppelin, later realized it was a terrible rendition of Metallica. It was enough to get me hooked into learning songs and trying to write my own followed shortly behind. I also had a cousin that knew how to play guitar and other instruments and I really wanted to be in a band with him. That didn’t happen. Fast forward to today, I’m sitting in a tour sprinter, heading to San Francisco to play the legendary Fillmore. It all still feels surreal. Feeling really lucky.

All of your records are created in a raw format, what is your opinion on the world of music that is so over produced that all traditional musical structures are thrown away?

M: I think that it’s all tools in a toolbox. We live in a time where anybody can make a hit record in their bedroom and there is something inspiring and freeing about that. Whatever gets you inspired whether it be a loop, writing acoustically, or anything else it’s all a way that you can make something to connect with others. For us though we find that writing acoustically a lot of the time gives us reassurance that the song in its most broken down form is quality. 

C: I personally don’t mind how a song is made or how many writers it took or what kind of structure was used or who made it. All I care about is if it makes me feel something. Every song is valid, and another piece being added into the musical world. If I don’t connect with a song, maybe someone else does. That’s the beauty of music. There is a song for everyone, and if you don’t believe that, then go write that song. The world needs it.

What would you tell people who are skeptics, that believe good quality music can only be made in a recording studio.
M: So many fantastic records have been made outside of a conventional recording studio and the numbers continue to grow. A lot of my favorite artists from Bon Iver to Still Woozy have made a lot of their music in the comfort of their own home. And the same goes for us. We finish a lot of our records in studios but most of them start in our bedrooms. 

C: Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man

How is your tour supporting Matt Maeson going?! Have any fun stories yet?!

M: Matt and his whole crew have been super cool to us and the shows have been amazing. It’s our first proper US tour so getting to play all of the East Coast and Midwest has been awesome. Connor almost got in a fight with an Amish dude a few days into the tour so that’s pretty funny. 

C: This tour has been incredible. It’s our first taste of what a longer tour can feel like. We are learning a lot of things. You can trade tickets for baked goods. You can lose $300 in Reno in about 30 minutes. Every bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge. A home cooked meal is terribly underrated

Your newest single “Loser” is incredible! Can you take us through your process from writing it to it’s release?
M: First off thank you 🙂 writing that song was a great experience cause it was so easy. Was one of those songs that just writes itself. We are such goofballs so we wanted to create an anthem for all the people who maybe feel like they don’t fit in a nice little box. We wrote it with Sam De Jong and then finished the record with another buddy name Jorgen Odegard. Both really talented writers/producers and also just wonderful people.

C: thank you! it was a song that almost appeared when we got there. Everything went so smooth when writing it. It took a while to really dial in the final production. But, once it was written we were all sure there was something special about it. The songs truly encapsulates who we are as a people. Not just losers, but people who aren’t afraid to celebrate the fact that we don’t always fit the molds. 

As huge Weezer fans, how stoked are you that they’re making headlines with new music and heading on tour with Green Day?! I’m so ready ahah

M: It’s always great to see them doing more and releasing new music. We kinda took one out of their playbook when we covered Truth Hurts. They are always doing quirky shit that people wouldn’t expect them too.

C: Weezer is amazing. I saw them for the first time in Atlanta in Underground Atlanta and was blown away. The whole time I watched them I wished so much that I could be on that stage too. So, the fact that there may be another cha be to see them is a pretty awesome prospect.

So far what do you feel has been the most monumental moment of your career?
M: Being out of the country on tour and having people know the words to the songs already. Blew my mind.

C: It’s probably a tie between, signing a record deal, and seeing/hearing people sing our songs back to us at the shows. The latter still gives me chills every night. It’s cool to think that a song that means so much to us, could mean so much to someone else.

Can you share any details about any upcoming projects?!
M: We got a collab with our good friend Grandson coming out soon 🙂 probably will already be out by the time this article comes out but yeah I’m pretty stoked about that!

C: We have a single coming out with Grandson on Friday! And hopefully more touring soon! 

If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be?

M: You’re doing the right thing. Keep going. 

C: I’m not sure I would tell him anything. Maybe, “don’t doubt so much.

And lastly, what do you see Moby Rich doing in the future?!

M: Taking over the world. But in between that taking a much needed nap

C: I’ve got an image in my mind that I’ve had for almost 10 years or more, and I plan on having that photo taken. The image is of me standing on stage at a very specific venue in Atlanta. Looking forward to 2020

Connect with Moby Rich- Instagram, Website, & Spotify