Fine Tuning

Toro y Moi will be playing Moogfest on Saturday, October 29, at the Orange Peel.

The Tuned Inn asks Anika about her self-titled debut, produced by Geoff Barrow of Portishead. Here, Anika explains her unconventional motivation for going into the recording studio, as well as the bands she’s most excited to see in Asheville.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:83:]]Regardless of its recent foray into the realm of all things cute, young, and pop, it is undeniable that YACHT (playing Moogfest 2011 at the Asheville Civic Center on Saturday the 29th) has a deep understanding of the guts of electronic music. You don’t believe me? Consider the first sentence of the group’s very own religious pamphlet, The Secret Teachings of the Mystery Lights:

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Moog instruments above all are meant to be played. Part of Moog’s legacy is electronic instruments that are really workable in a live setting, making electronic music into an event rather than (or, as well as) an abstraction. Special Disco Version, the DJ project of James Murphy and Pat Mahoney (formerly of LCD Soundsystem), playing Moogfest on October 30, is also an incarnation of an idea—bringing you to the party their other music always suggested.

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For Joel Cummins, keyboardist and vocalist for innovative jam band Umphrey’s McGee, the name Moog is about more than synthesizers. “There’s a group of really special people associated with Moog instruments and the Foundation. I have a blast every time I’m around them, and there’s a reason for that,” said Cummins.

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Passion Pit is no stranger to producing catchy tunes. After producing his first songs as a Valentine's gift to his girlfriend (at the time), lead singer Michael Angelakos was joined by the four other members who now compose the group. With hits like "Sleepyhead," "The Reeling," "Moth's Wings,” and "Little Secrets" to their credit, they have a firm footing in the world of electropop.