Dance artist Moby on the destructive force of fame - and why he's content being that 'weird old guy'
His fifth record, the album charted at 33 upon its release in the UK in May 1999, and fell out of the Top 40 after just a week. But despite the lacklustre initial response, Play started to pick up steam, slowly climbing the chart until it reached number one in April 2000.
It stayed there for five weeks and remained in the Top 40 until March 2001, re-entering the Top 100 several times over the next few years.
While Moby had experienced success with Go, the breakthrough 1991 single from his self-titled debut album, Play was next level. Even if you don't know the album, you'll know at least some of the songs - Porcelain, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, Honey, and Natural Blues. The record was ubiquitous and fame hard to escape.
"I think fame and fortune are, probably, empirically two of the most destructive forces on the planet," he says, speaking from his home in Los Angeles. "I mean, if fame and fortune fixed things, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse would still be making records.
"I guess it's a very easy system to buy into, especially in a place like... in New York, in Los Angeles, in these big cities that are driven by ostentation and consumption and the need for external validation. It's hard to resist those temptations. But then... you look at the consequences of that.
"I'd rather try and live a rational life and not necessarily let other people's concerns dictate what my concerns should be."
Now sober and with a few years between him and those heady days of peak fame, in recent years Moby has been doing something few established stars in his position would do - giving his compositions away for free.
"I have a house, I have a car, I have some hoodies, I have food in the fridge, I don't really need anything more," he insists. "To live and work in a way where I'm not driven by money, why not use that as an opportunity?"
Selfless selfishness or selfish selflessness
Over a decade ago, the musician came up with the quietly radical idea of making a free music licensing platform, MobyGratis. The idea was simple and rather exciting, he admits - to allow anyone unrestricted access to hundreds of his compositions to use them however they wish. From film scores to remixes, whatever.
"It's either selfless selfishness or selfish selflessness, meaning I'm giving these things away but the benefit to me is I get to see what people do with it," he says.
"There are a lot of things about the current digital media climate that are terrifying and baffling and confusing, but one of the things I love is the egalitarian nature of it."
The idea of giving his music away for free runs somewhat contrary to the AI copyright battle many artists are currently speaking out over, with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Damon Albarn calling for greater protections in law to prevent artificial intelligence software from scraping their work to learn from it.
Remix culture and creative processes
"I completely appreciate and respect the concerns that other people have," says Moby. "I think they're incredibly valid... but for me personally, I don't know. Maybe it's naive and stupid of me, but I kind of just ignore it.
"I put this music out there and you sort of hope for the best, which probably is completely dim-witted of me. Part of remix culture is seeing how people reinterpret your work; sometimes it's mediocre, sometimes it is bad, but sometimes it is so inspired, and I can actually learn a lot from other creative processes."
The dance artist also takes issue with how the act of giving and compassion more generally has come to be seen, and references Elon Musk 's comments on Joe Rogan's podcast in April, when the billionaire said: "We've got civilizational suicidal empathy going on."
Moby says that while "we live in this world of fear, selfishness, desperation and viciousness", he supports "anything that is a rejection of the manosphere... anything that rejects Elon and the idea that empathy is a weakness and reminds people that life can be simple and decent."
He jokes: "I'm definitely becoming like the weird old guy that you'll see in the mountains, sort of like not making eye contact and mumbling about chemtrails or something."
This is a man who is aware his approach to fame, fortune and giving stuff away is somewhat out-of-keeping with the times we're living in - but the thing is, Moby doesn't seem to care.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
James May: ‘When I'm mistaken for Jeremy Clarkson, I have to go home and examine myself very deeply'
James May. But what would James Definitely Not? All sorts of things. Skydiving. Morris dancing. Living as a monk. Agricultural work. Being a high court judge. Anything that involves dressing up. I'm not too fussy about food. I can't think of anything I wouldn't eat, although I have a strange ambivalence about broccoli. I can't make my mind up about it and it infuriates people. People say: you're not doing it properly. I think: how do you know how I'm doing it? I've heard you can roast it with bits of bacon, garlic and olive oil. In which case, it's not only broccoli any more, is it? Why does the water flow anticlockwise down the plug hole in Australia but clockwise in the UK? Because of the rotation of the Earth. If you go to the equator – and I've done this – you can do an experiment with a bucket of water with a hole in the bottom. If you stand exactly on the equator and drop in a matchstick, it will stay stationary. If you walk north of the equator 100 paces, it starts going around one way. If you walk south, it starts going the other way. It's quite a boring experiment and you have to have absolutely nothing else left to do in your life. If you could have a sandwich named after you, what would you call it? I think sandwiches are crap. I'm making a series on YouTube called Sarnies of the 70s, where we dig up these terrible old fillings like Spam and Branston pickle. It's fascinating to remember what we ate when I was a child. But I describe sandwiches – and I'm afraid I also think this about pizza – as crisis food. Nobody ever says: I can't be bothered to cook tonight. Should we go out for a sandwich? No one wants a sandwich. You are reduced to having a sandwich. Both you and Clarkson own pubs. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, which pub would you rather be stuck at? Oh, mine. It's in Wiltshire. We're heavily armed down here. People queue up at Clarkson's. There's queueing protocol going on, which I don't like. We've had this argument many times. The whole point of the bar in a pub is that it's wide and shallow. It's not a hatch. Why would you queue at it? Good bar people know the order in which to serve. Alan Davies told us in this very column that he gets mistaken for you. Who do you get mistaken for, if not Alan Davies? I have been mistaken for Alan Davies. I've been told I look like King Théoden from Lord of the Rings. Robert Plant is very flattering. Billy Connolly is flattering. Unfortunately, quite a few times when I've been out walking or riding my bike around London, I've been mistaken for Jeremy Clarkson. I have to go home, examine myself very deeply and think: what have I done? The small print on your new tour, Explorers, warns of 'occasional scent, fog and other immersive theatrical elements'. What is your favourite occasional scent? Good question. I like all the obvious nature scents like flowers, freshly mown grass and rain falling on a hot pavement. I like the smell of bicycle shops because I like that smell of rubber and rubber solution. It's not a pervy or fetish thing. I like the smell of freshly pumped petrol, which smells exactly like what it isn't – which is delicious. If you get petrol in your mouth because you're siphoning it from the lawnmower, it tastes absolutely foul. But when it's coming out of the pump into your car, it's got almost a mango juice smell to it. What's been your most cringeworthy run-in with a celebrity? I haven't had any, really. I've never run up to Alan Davies and said: 'I love Top Gear. Can I have your autograph?' Would you rather die at the bottom of the ocean or deep out into space? I've wondered about dying in space. The Apollo 11 lunar module was too fragile to test on Earth, so what if it hadn't worked? They'd have been stuck on the moon for eternity. How do you end it? Do you just sit there and gradually suffocate? Or do you take off your space helmet, take a deep breath, open the door and effectively boil? Dying at the bottom of the ocean feels particularly dark and lonely. I'm going to go for space because the view in the last few seconds would be better. If you could change the size of any animal and keep it as a pet, what would you choose? A miniature elephant. I was going to say a tiger. But then you can just have a domestic cat, can't you? A miniature great white shark in a pond in your garden would be pretty cool. If you had miniature blue whales in an aquarium, they'd come up to the surface and blow off in miniature. I'd like that. Who is your biggest nemesis? Honestly, it's probably Jeremy Clarkson. James May's show Explorers – The Age of Discovery tours Australia and New Zealand from 29 July, and the UK from 20 September
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
At least he didn't look back in anger! Liam Gallagher fled stadium after Oasis' Cardiff tour opener while Noel was still on stage - and they're staying in separate hotels 20 miles apart
When Noel and Liam Gallagher walked on stage hand-in-hand in front of 75,000 fans on Friday night, there was a collective roar of joy – their bitter 16-year feud was finally over. Or was it? For despite the brothers' arms held united in apparent triumph, the reality behind the scenes was rather different. The Mail on Sunday can reveal there was a distinctly 'frosty' atmosphere backstage between the warring brothers, who sensationally fell out in 2009. When the two-hour set at Cardiff's Principality Stadium ended, Liam, 52, wasted no time in racing off stage and straight into a black four-by-four vehicle. Left behind was Noel, 58, still waving to fans before slowly walking off with the rest of the band. And it is understood the brothers shunned each other after the show as they were staying in separate places, with guitarist and songwriter Noel at the four-star Parkgate Hotel, which backs on to the stadium. The father-of-three was staying there with daughter Anais, 25, who supported him at the concert from the VIP section with her 26-year-old actor boyfriend, Callum Howells. Liam, meanwhile, was staying 20 miles away, close to the Celtic Manor Resort, where previous guests have included then US President Barack Obama. Friends fear relations between the brothers may deteriorate to breaking point, resulting in them ending the tour halfway through their worldwide 41-gig trip. A source close to Oasis told The MoS: 'They can't stand each other because they still have not forgiven each other. It's all very frosty and awkward. We all doubt they'll make it to Australia at this rate.' Oasis play five nights in Melbourne and Sydney from the end of October, with five more gigs in South America scheduled. Live '25 is expected to earn them £600million, with ticket prices ranging from £200 to £2,000. Earlier in the evening, Noel was spotted at the back of the stadium quietly supporting the Verve frontman, Richard Ashcroft, who opened for Oasis, while Liam was nowhere to be seen. Later, just moments before going on stage, the Gallaghers were seen standing with their backs to one another just metres apart, ignoring each other. But when they went on stage, the brothers gave the crowd what they wanted by holding hands momentarily before kicking off their 23-song Oasis marathon to a wall of cheering. It is understood the brothers shunned each other after the show as they were staying in separate places, with guitarist and songwriter Noel at the four-star Parkgate Hotel (above) They further delighted fans at the end of the gig when Liam strolled over to his older brother and embraced him in a brief handshake and shoulder bump. But the singers did not always appear in unity, often occupying different sides of the stage. When Noel played his solo songs such as Don't Look Back in Anger and Masterplan, Liam left the stage and walked past his brother without looking at him. He returned only when he was needed on vocals, and Noel would often turn his back to the audience and slink into the background. But the lingering animosity appeared to go unnoticed by the joyful fans who hailed the comeback 'biblical'. Oasis were back on stage in Cardiff last night before returning to home turf in Manchester on Friday. In August the brothers announced they would be reuniting as 'the guns have fallen silent' – an indication their often vicious quarrel was over. Liam (above) returned only when he was needed on vocals, and Noel would often turn his back to the audience and slink into the background They famously fell out after a backstage row in Paris in 2009, with Noel insisting he would never work with Liam again and describing him as 'a fork in a world of soup'. Their relationship appears to have remained fractious in the run-up to the worldwide reunion tour, with the pair turning up to rehearsals at different times. While Noel was practising with the band in May, his younger brother had flown to his £3million mansion in France. Last month, the pair had delighted fans by appearing in an Adidas shoot together but they reportedly spent only 14 minutes in the same building for the advert campaign. Liam arrived an hour earlier than Noel, insiders said, and computer software was said to have been used to mesh the two together for the photograph.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Six hot new lash treatments for summer 2025
When it comes to our lashes we've come a long way from just swiping on a bit of mascara. In recent years the fake look has become big business — although, happily, the current trend is more about low-maintenance effortlessness. On TikTok the masses go mad for lash growth serums: Glow For It made six figures in just 12 hours from a live shopping stream in April, while according to UKLash one of its lash serums is sold every 20 seconds globally. Lash lifts and extensions are also on the rise. The beauty app Secret Spa reports 60 per cent faster growth in lash treatments than any other category, including mani-pedis and waxing, while the UK trade body the Guild of Beauty Therapists says lash treatments are now the most popular salon services, with roughly 129,000 carried out a week. Lash extensions have come a long way from the 2010s (think Russian mink lashes, as seen on the cast of Geordie Shore). 'Lash technology and artistry have evolved. These days they're soft, subtle and undetectable, thanks to ultra-fine fibres that mimic the texture and movement of natural lashes,' says Asma Docrat, a celebrity lash artist whose clients include Mandy Moore and Lily Allen. 'By fully customising the length, curl, colour and weight of your lash extensions, they can look like your own, but on a really good day.' Whatever your vibe, there's a lash look for that. • Read more beauty product reviews and advice from our experts Slightly bolder and more glamorous, volume lashes will give you a seriously impactful flutter. 'Multiple lashes, or a cluster, are applied per natural lash to create more volume,' Docrat says. They look fluffier and fuller, but if you can't quite commit to drama, you can also get hybrid lashes. 'These are a mix of classic and volume for a more wispy effect,' she says. 'For the best results — and this goes for any type of lash extension — avoid caffeine before your appointment as it can make your eyes flutter, making precision work trickier.' Expect to pay £80-150 for a full set, and £60-80 for infills, which are needed every two to three weeks, depending on how well you take care of them. 'Avoid oil-based skincare,' Docrat says. 'Use lash-safe foaming cleansers to remove make-up around the eyes, and never use cotton wool pads.' Gently combing them through daily with a clean spoolie and sleeping on a silk pillowcase are also on her list of do's. • The best luxury lash serums Lynk-Gel lashes are the longest-lasting extensions, with only a handful of lash artists in the UK trained and certified by the company behind the process, Illumino. 'This clever new technique uses a safe, focused LED light to instantly 'cure' a gel-based adhesive, creating a bond between the extension and your natural lash that's as strong as it is flexible,' says Camilla Kirk-Reynolds, the A-list lash artist whose clientele include Naomi Campbell and Angelina Jolie. According to Kirk-Reynolds they can last for up to eight weeks (that explains the heftier price tag, usually sitting somewhere between £300 and £600 for a full set), plus there's no downtime — so you can jump in the shower or pool or wash your face straight away without a second thought. As with many beauty innovations, the Koreans are one step ahead. 'Instead of glueing lashes on to a curling shield [as for a traditional lash lift], the Korean method uses a healthier, lash-softening cysteamine-based paste,' explains Haya Alhoush, a British-based Korean lash lift educator. 'A two-step shield system creates the most natural and smooth curl. First, a flat shield softens the lashes, then a curved one perfects and sets the curl.' Lasting about eight weeks, it makes mascara redundant. The no-mascara make-up trend has been making the rounds, thanks to the cool girls of Instagram (hello, Hailey Bieber). Coloured lashes such as brown extensions add subtle length and volume without the starkness of black. 'They're softer, work for most skin tones and are undetectable but still make you look polished,' Docrat says. The barefaced aesthetic usually goes hand in hand with a great skincare routine, but Docrat recommends skipping eye creams, which can migrate to the lash line and affect your faux lashes' longevity. Like classic lashes, these cost anywhere between £100 and £200 for a full set, and should last up to three weeks. • This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue The trendy lot on TikTok and Instagram are getting 'anime lashes' that take their cue from manga characters. Think spiky, doll-like lashes that make eyes appear brighter and doe-eyed. 'Anime lashes use a variety of length and dimensions, with spaced-out, longer individual spikes that stand out among shorter, wispier lashes,' says the LA-based lash artist Alanah Sahaba, who counts Megan Thee Stallion as a client. 'To balance the look, you can also add bottom lashes, which makes eyes look wider.' A word of warning, though: 'You might be in the chair for up to three hours, as anime lashes are more intricate and detailed, so have your favourite podcast downloaded!' A full custom set will typically set you back anywhere from £100 to £200, and they should last three to four weeks before needing infills or removal. A slick of mascara is like a shot of espresso for the face: it instantly brightens and makes your make-up look, well, better. Imagine that — glossy, defined and sleek lashes — but without the effort of actually applying mascara every morning. 'Unlike classic lashes, which are designed to be softer and mimic individual natural hairs, wet-look lashes have a more dramatic, glossy finish and are usually spiked to perfectly mimic the look of freshly applied mascara,' Docrat says. The technique involves applying closed fans of multiple extensions to each natural lash. This creates those distinct, slightly clumped, high-shine spikes that give the illusion of lashes that are perpetually hydrated and freshly coated. As for volume lashes, expect to be in the chair for up to two hours. • Hello dollface: the 'glass skin' trend that's everywhere £38, looking sparse and thin and feeling brittle? This strengthening and lengthening serum will nourish lashes between treatments, but it's also great for anyone struggling with eyelash loss. It's so good, in fact, that users claim to see results in just four weeks. £18, scrap of oil, make-up, dust and dirt is removed with this gentle foaming cleanser that's packed with prebiotics to help keep bacteria at bay. Simply pump the foam on to the back of your hand, swirl through the cleansing brush, which is designed to get in between every lash, and softly massage into your lashes, brushing away from the root, before removing with a damp cotton pad. £2, from your fingers can break down the lash adhesive,' says Docrat, who recommends using a spoolie to comb through instead. This reusable one has supersoft bristles and comes with a lid to keep the brush dust-free. £66, with delicate lash extensions in mind, this celebrity fave, pure mulberry silk sleep mask has a contour on the inside for crease-free lashes while you snooze.@chanelleho The Sunday Times Style Beauty awards are back for 2025. You could win a luxury five-star holiday at Sani Resort in Greece, plus we have more than £25,000 worth of beauty prizes up for grabs. To be entered into the prize draw, vote for your favourite products at
