J.D. Moyer

science fiction author, beatmaker, against fascism

Category: Electronic Music Page 1 of 9

650 and counting…

By

On February 22

In Electronic Music

Recently I got curious as to how many electronic music tracks I’ve actually released into the world, including all my aliases, every compilation and remix, etc. For our record label, I have a database, but I didn’t have a list of my own published tracks. I do have a Discography page, but it doesn’t include track names, and I’m pretty sure it has some mistakes and omissions.

So I created a spreadsheet. Take a peek if you’re curious. 650 tracks, including a few that aren’t out yet! I knew there were a lot, but I might have guessed three or four hundred before I made the list.

How many of those are actually good? Well, we (me, Spesh, Mark Musselman, and my other collaborators) thought all of them were good, or even great, at the time we were producing and releasing them. I would say the world agreed with us in a handful of cases, and all those involved some good luck (a famous DJ playing the track, or a famous game commissioning music from us). Jondi & Spesh – We Are Connected stands out, as does Momu – The Dive. But I like to think there are still some gamers out there that remember unlocking the boss track Max 300 – Super Max Me Mix in Dance Dance Revolution. And some of our more recent release are even getting a little traction on Spotify with some very modest playlist promotion (legit ones, not bots!). Like Momu – Infinite Torus.

But mostly I still do it because it’s fun to make music with my friends and put it out in the world.

With that in mind, there’s a new Jondi & Spesh release out now on Beatport. Hope you enjoy, and if you purchase any of my music I’m extremely grateful.

 

New Music Release, and Writing Update

By

On July 7

In Creative Work/Career, Electronic Music, Personal Updates

MOMU, my breakbeat project with Mark Musselman, has a new release out on Beatport. From our publicist:

The release glides open with Momu’s original, subtly dissolving you into a rich tapestry of vivid harmonies and instrumental layers before ushering you into a sophisticated downtempo breakbeat groove – with the enveloping melodies modulating around it perpetually. This latest contribution from Momu further cements the duo’s status as one of the industry’s most diverse and artistically unlimited acts, capable of shaping timeless electronica with succinct nods to on-trend sonic nuances and a new-age feel.

The release is also available on Bandcamp with a second, alternative alias_j remix exclusive to that site.

Writing Update

TBH, I’m in the midst of a publishing drought. My most recent novel and short story were both published in 2021. But it’s not for lack of writing or submitting.

More than two years ago, I had a novella accepted by The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Unfortunately, that particular publication has been in a slump, with a dearth of recent issues and apparent financial difficulties. So my novella has yet to see the light of day. However, F&SF was recently acquired, so there’s still hope.

Publishing troubles aside, I’ve been busy. Since 2021 I’ve completed two screenplays, three novels, and half a dozen short stories. Some of those works still need revision, but some are currently in submission. Something will get the green light eventually, and you’ll be among the first to hear about it.

The recent explosion in AI slop “writing” has made things very difficult for editors who accept unsolicited fiction submissions. As a result, submission windows have tightened, and keeping track of which magazines are open for what kind of stories is practically a part-time job. But I’ve finally got some systems in place so that I’m getting my work out there again.

Wish me luck!

New Progressive House/Deep House Jondi & Spesh Album

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On December 2

In Creative Work/Career, Electronic Music

Just a quick post here to announce a new album: Jondi & Spesh – REFLECTIONS

This is my sixth full-length electronic album with my longest-term collaborator and one of my closest friends, DJ Spesh. Way back in the day we hopped on a young genre called “progressive house” and rode it a long way.

Spesh and I had a long moment of fame in the late nineties and early 2000’s when we were hosting the most popular electronic dance music party in San Francisco (Qoöl at 111 Minna), touring the world in support of our releases on Spundae Records and our own label Loöq, getting voted among the Top 10 DJ’s in San Francisco by the Nitevibe poll, getting ranked as one of the top albums of the year in Muzik Magazine (right next to Madonna), licensing music to prime time broadcast shows (CSI), and composing music for the most popular dance game of that time (Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution). I can’t really ask for any more musical success or fame than all of that, but Spesh and I–all these years later–still enjoy making music together and sharing it with the world.

It’s all gravy at this point. Gravy I hope your ears enjoy! Available on Beatport, Spotify, Apple Music, and most other music streaming services and stores. We’re also on Instagram.

#3 on Beatport, Work Update, Succeeding Like Water

By

On December 14

In Creative Work/Career, Electronic Music, Fiction Writing

Music

The new Momu release “Music Gets Me By” is charting on Beatport, currently #3 in Breakbeat releases and #9 on both the Melodic House and Tech House releases charts, while the various mixes have all broken into the Top 100 track charts for their respective genres. A great “big room” remix from our friend Jonathan Ojeda (artist name alias_j) is leading the charge in terms of sales.

It’s a blast to have any musical project get some traction, and the fact that this one is a collaboration with my good friends makes it that much sweeter. We’re this old, and still making electronic dance music, and some people still like the sounds we’re making? Amazing…I feel nothing but gratitude.

Check out the release, and if you like it, a purchase on Beatport would help us keep moving up the charts. It will also be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else next Friday.

Writing

After the recent acceptance of a novella to a magazine that I greatly admire (which I will announce as soon as the release date is set), I feel motivated to write more novellas. I’ve decided to write the sequel to my yet-to-be-published novel “Saint Arcology” (currently out for submission) as a set of three standalone novellas which can be read in any order, including either before or after the first book in the series.

How will this work in terms of eventually negotiating first publication rights? I have no idea, but I’m following my writing energy, and that’s where it’s leading me right now. I will probably need an agent at some point to advise me on such contractual issues, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Which leads into the point below…

Succeed Like Water

With each year of my life I become more aware of the reality that unknown, unexpected factors will always continue to surprise me and have an outsized influence on my life. Some will feel catastrophic (illnesses, market downturns, mental health issues) and others fabulous (new friendships, financial windfalls, lucky breaks). For me the best strategy is always to navigate life according to my core values (kindness, creativity, strong relationships, etc.) and try to achieve the things I want without getting too attached to outcomes which are unpredictable and often out of my control, partially or completely.

But even while taking a step back from the pursuit of goals at any cost, I like the idea of flowing towards my ideal outcomes. Water changes its shape and form to continue in a particular direction. Water rushes or seeps in, flows in tiny rivulets or great channels, changes its form to steam or ice depending on energetic conditions. So how can I emulate water, in terms of progressing towards my goals?

  • Follow my creative energy
  • Say yes to opportunities and collaborations where I feel a spark or connection (flow in the direction of gravity)
  • Show up to events (explore channels)
  • Don’t eliminate options because they don’t fit my preconceived plan

In summary, be willing to follow multiple convoluted paths, as long as they head in the general direction of where I want to be. Which is preferable to being stuck in a traffic jam on a straight road.

Two Small Pieces of Good News

By

On November 4

In Creative Work/Career, Electronic Music, Fiction Writing, Personal Updates

The world is burning in a thousand ways, but making and appreciating art is what keeps me sane and sometimes even happy. I have two things to share in that area, one related to music, the other to fiction writing.

First, my new two-track release with Spesh is out today on Beatport, Organic Broccoli Florets and Your Ice. I’m so pleased with the way this release came out. With both tracks, we tried for a smooth, silky, hypnotic feel. Initial feedback from our promo pool has been excellent, and Beatport is featuring the release in its Hype Picks section. Hope you enjoy, if melodic house is your cup of tea.

Secondly, a novella I’ve been working on for months was just accepted for publication. Contract pending, so I’ll hold off on the details, but I’m elated with the home this story has found. So something on the release schedule for 2023.

Personally, life has been quiet, very little drama, which is just how I like it. Had a great time with Kia and a good friend at the Exploratorium After Dark last night, which was the biggest night out in awhile.

I hope that your own life is just how you like it, and that you’re doing what you can to put out one or more of the planet’s many fires.

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