The Soft Moon, the exceptional audio-visual brainchild of Luis Vasquez, has consistently thrived as a creative outlet for the exploration of personal torment and self-revelation. Conceptualized as a solo project back in 2009, Vasquez sought to channel his creative fervor into crafting an immersive sensory journey encapsulated within the realm of live performance. As the project evolved, it began to incorporate dynamic visual components in the live stage setting. Specifically, it turned to the brilliance of light shows as a stunning and impactful accompaniment, further enhancing the atmosphere of their visceral performances.
Now, Vasquez is back with a new claymation animated video for instrumental “Stupid Child,” a track from the band’s latest album, “Exister.” The video, created by Ashley Miles of Hot Frog Animations, is a deeply personal piece, based on true events and released on the “weirdest day” of the year for Vasquez – his birthday.
The visual narratives sculpted by The Soft Moon in their earlier videos have garnered widespread acclaim for their unparalleled evocative prowess. Each cinematic reel reflects the profound flexibility of Vasquez, both in curating melodious arrangements and showcasing his vocal bravado. The echoes of the influential mid-80s sound, dominated by the likes of Depeche Mode and Tears For Fears, are tangible in some of the band’s latest compositions; however, whether it be avant-garde or pop, Vazquez consistently adheres to an idiosyncratic and brooding auditory aesthetic.
“Stupid Child” is no exception: Ashley Miles created a hauntingly beautiful claymation piece that perfectly encapsulates the raw emotion and introspective themes of The Soft Moon. The surreal quality of the video brings to mind 80s efforts such as the Penny cartoons of Pee Wee’s Playhouse or Peter Gabriel’s offerings. But the story illustrated is far from whimsical – it’s a glimpse into the loneliness and sorrow of a child in desperate need of compassion, encouragement, and an artistic outlet. We see an age-old argument play out between a mother and son as they struggle to find common ground…or even constructive communication.
Watch the video for “Stupid Child” below:
Although brief, “Stupid Child” is a potent maelstrom of fury that transcends the need for words: the emotion is all in the ferocious guitar. I In a recent interview, Vasquez discussed the influences behind “Exister,” explaining that the album was about “coming back home and reconnecting.” He also emphasized that this was the first record where he felt he had “nothing to hide.”
“Exister” represents a new phase in Vasquez’s life. He describes the process of creating the album as both intimidating and positive. Despite the challenges, Vasquez found the process ultimately rewarding, leading to self-discoveries and a sense of closure that has prepared him for the next phase of his journey.
The album serves as Vasquez’s confessional, a chronology of his existence, and a means of self-expression. He also shared that he felt true artistic autonomy while creating this record, a stark contrast to the confusion he experienced while working on previous albums. At first songwriting served as a safe space to house Vasquez’s grief and pain, but as his fanbase grew, he realized that his music was not only a source of relief and freedom of expression for him – but also a means of connecting with others who might be experiencing their own pain.
“Exister” is out now via Sacred Bones Records. You can order the album here.
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