Feature: Jackie Moontan Decodes ‘The Dark Side Of The Tanning Bed’
How did you come up with the theme?
I wanted something fantastic, fun, sad, touching and theatrical. I’ve already had the character of Jackie; this naive moon boy with his good looks and fancy, flashy suits and pizazz but I wanted to make him three dimensional - drag him through some real shit, smack him up and leave him (and the listener) in a place of uncertainty by the end of the album.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for 'The Dark Side Of The Tanning Bed?’
Every record or any artistic endeavour is a challenge. This album in particular was challenging because it was written over the course of a couple of years. I wrote songs that I thought were great but somehow didn’t work for this album. In my mind 'The Dark Side Of The Tanning Bed’ was the story of the fall from grace of a moon man called Jackie, so I had to make sure the album was telling this story in a coherent way, from the first to the last track.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
That’s like asking a parent which of their ten kids is the prettiest. I’ve had to kill about 15 darlings to get to the 10 I’ve selected for the album. So the ones you hear are the special ones. Now find the one that you think is special, adopt it, and show it to your friends.
What were some key milestones in your early career that helped shape who you are as an artist?
I was in a rock band in my early twenties in Paris. We had a lot of fun, played a lot of shows, and did a lot of illegal substances. Today I’m not doing drugs anymore, and I’m much more focused and professional in my approach to music. I have those wild years to thank for that.
How do live performances and audience reactions influence the way you create music?
I’ve made up this character of Jackie in my mind. Wrote stories and songs about him, even did some interviews in character. On stage I get to play with his physicality. What does his walk say about him? His clothes? What’s his level of self-awareness? How does he react to the audience? Every show is different because the setting and audiences will invariably be different so there’s a lot to improvise or react to. I try to access a flow state and see it as a play with no script.
When I create music however I do not think about performance or audiences. It is an intimate exercise, a playground also, and sometimes it’s a mirror, which can be both thrilling and absolutely terrifying.
