Moon King

Moon King is the pop music project of songwriter and producer Daniel Woodhead, often performing as Daniel Benjamin, Daniel Moonking or Daniel BW.[1]

Moon King
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genreselectronic pop, dream pop, indie rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsArbutus Records

Moon King's music has been described as dream pop, electronic pop or indie rock.[2] Recently the project's sound has shifted to include disco, synthpop and house music.[3]

Born in Toronto, Canada, as a teenager Daniel became involved in the city's DIY music community, playing in numerous bands and organizing events including several all-night concerts at a circus rehearsal warehouse, and on the Toronto Islands.[4]

In the early 2010s he became closely affiliated with the flourishing electronic music and party scene in Montreal surrounding cult indie label Arbutus Records, and began frequently performing as a touring musician with Grimes,[5] Sean Nicholas Savage and Doldrums.[6]

A cassette of Daniel's first recordings as Moon King caught the ear of Fucked Up guitarist Mike Haliechuk, who released two 12" EPs, Obsession I and Obsession II, on his label One Big Silence.[7] Performing with guitarist and vocalist Maddy Wilde, as well as a rotating cast of backup musicians, Moon King toured heavily from 2013-2015, supporting artists including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Austra, TOPS, Majical Cloudz and Alvvays,[8][9][10][11] showcasing at SXSW, CMJ and Iceland Airwaves, and receiving favorable press coverage.[12][13][14][15]

In 2015 the band played over 100 shows to support the release of Moon King's debut album Secret Life,[16] but at the end of the year Daniel relocated to Detroit, Michigan, putting the brakes on any future touring. A completed second album was shelved, and longtime collaborator Maddy Wilde left the band to focus on other projects.

Daniel spent the next year immersing himself in Detroit's dance music and DJ culture, which eventually began to influence his own recordings. Although the tracks were rough & homemade, a collection of new material found its way back to Arbutus Records in Montreal, who offered to release it. Hamtramck '16, named for the Detroit-area neighborhood, was released in the summer of 2017, documenting Moon King's shift towards disco and dance music.[3]

Discography

Full-length albums

Singles and EPs
  • Obsession I (One Big Silence, 2012)
  • Obsession II (One Big Silence, 2013)
  • Hamtramck '16 (Arbutus Records, 2017)
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References
  1. "The secret is out on Moon King's Secret Life". thestar.com. 13 April 2015.
  2. "Dream-Pop Pair Moon King Wander Toronto In Their Video For 'Impossible". nme.com.
  3. "Moon King's disco revelation". nowtoronto.com. 1 August 2017.
  4. "Spiral Beach Bounce Ball Overseas". Exclaim.ca.
  5. "Grimes". NOW Toronto Magazine - Think Free.
  6. "NOW HEAR THIS: Huge new tunes from brother bands Moon King and Doldrums". Chart Attack.
  7. "Hear Moon King's Shimmering, Sharp-Edged 'Obsession II' Record Store Day EP". Spin.
  8. http://lastgangentertainment.com/blog/records/2014/moon-king-signs-to-last-gang-records-debut-lp-out-in-2015-announce-world-tour-w-alvvays/%5B%5D
  9. "Moon King share UK/EU tour dates - News - The 405". The 405.
  10. "Austra: Our Canadian tour starts this Friday with Moon... - Volumeet". Volumeet.
  11. "Moon King played two NYC shows, going on tour with Mr. Twin Sister in July (dates)". brooklynvegan.com.
  12. "Moon King". Pitchfork.
  13. Larry Fitzmaurice. "Hear Moon King's Awesomely Psychedelic Debut Album". The FADER.
  14. NME.COM. "- NMETV Latest Music Videos and Clips - NME.COM". NME.COM.
  15. Dazed. "Moon King: The weirdly wound sound duo". Dazed.
  16. "Tour:Moon King w/ Youth Lagoon". lastgang.com.
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