Moby 7-31-08

Malibu Performing Arts Center · Malibu, CA

By JOSE MARTINEZ

Moby rocked the ‘Bu recently as part of forward-thinking public radio station KCRW’s Sessions series where fans watch a performance and interview with artists in a very intimate setting; the last Sessions participant was Sia.

This particular show took place at the beautiful Malibu Performing Arts Center, down the street from Moonshadows, a favorite hangout of Britney Spears and also the spot where the “king of Malibu” Mel Gibson had one too many drinks before having his unfortunate meltdown two summers ago.

Calm, cool and collected, Moby and his band took the stage sans attitude and played in an intimate living room setting with Persian rug, couch and coffee-table in place. Starting a five-song dance set with the track “Lift Me Up,” Moby was on bass while singer Laura Dawn shined, hitting big notes without ever getting too annoying in that Christina Aguilera “look at me, I can belt big notes” manner.

Dedicating “Go” to filmmaker David Lynch, Moby said without the director he “wouldn’t have a career.”

Timid at first, the audience finally got on their feet during “Bodyrock” at the encouragement of Dawn. A watered down rave in a beautiful theater is how they do it in the ‘Bu apparently. But at nearly $150 a pop, fans could sit or dance as they saw fit.

Switching to the drums, Moby laid down the beat during “The Stars” as the partially seated rave continued. After the 25-minute set, KCRW program director and host of “Morning Becomes Eclectic” Nic Harcourt came out for a seated interview on the couch.

Oddly enough, listening to Moby being interviewed is where his personality really sparkled. Most of the time you think of the singer as being bookish but he has a very good, albeit dry, sense of humor. Talking about Scientologists and telling Harcourt he didn’t want to discuss them for fear of his life, Moby went on to say actor Jason Lee is the only “respectable” member and wouldn’t mind being assassinated by him if he had to be taken out.

Moby also discussed how he got into music originally, saying it was the song “Proud Mary” at age three that instilled in him his passion for music. He also joked (maybe, maybe not) about his mom’s drug use; growing up mowing lawns to buy records; forming his first hardcore band, Vatican Commandos; as well as his first time getting to second base with a girl to Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”

During the 20-minute informal chat on the couch Moby additionally talked about being on the AV squad in junior high, dreaming of a career in music, and eventually selling over 11 million records with Play. Then it was back to work for a second set. Playing a little bit of everything Moby and band delighted the audience with what he deemed his “weird” set consisting of: “Great Escape,” “Porcelain,” “Extreme Ways,” “I Like It,” “We Are All Made Of Stars,” “Run,” “When It’s Cold,” “Natural Blues,” a cover of Joy Division’s “New Dawn Fades,” “Next Is The E,” “Honey” and “Revolver.”

At 42, Moby would sometimes bark orders at his band mates, especially during the Joy Division cover. Being able to play guitar, bass and drums, he knows what he wants and how he wants it done. But then again, maybe that’s why they were able to deliver such a stellar performance. By the end of the night, the manic performer switched to the congas and tried his best to turn the plush theater setting into a beachside rave.

We’re very lucky out here to have KCRW to actually break new artists and put on amazing events like this one. Definitely check out www.kcrw.com to stream the station’s broadcasts and to watch the Moby Sessions online.