Tell our readers about Moon Duo, how often do you get high on music, which is your favourite hot dog topping?
Sanae Yamada: Which hot dog topping? I love pickled relish!
Ripley Johnson: Yeah dude, pickled relish is good!
SY: I can’t eat a hot dog without pickled relish!
RS: Sauerkraut is also good, but pickled relish is the best!
RS: How many times we get high? Pretty much everyday, high on music, high on other things…
SY: High on books…
RS: High on coffee, the first thing I do in the morning!
SY: I also get super high on coffee… *laughs*
RS: Turn on the music, turn on your mind…
You’ve recently released a new album called Occult Architecture Vol.I which features excellent songs like ‘Will of the Devil’ and ‘Cult of Moloch’ and you’re about to release Occult Architecture Vol.II what is the connection between the two albums?
RS: The first volume is the dark record, the second is the light one… yeah… that’s pretty much the difference! I think the first record is a little claustrophobic and we were thinking of dungeons while making it and the second one is about coming out of the dungeon, see the light and breathe again! The sound of the second is more spacious, airy and light, the first one is more intense and a little oppressive maybe!
So one can make reference to ying and yang, shadow and light, how did you guys do to achieve the harmony while composing these two albums?
SY: I think there’s no perfect harmony, sometimes ideas come when you feel great and harmonious with yourself, but to achieve that I think it’s important listening to what’s happening around you!
It’s very interesting how the revival of psychedelic music is reflecting the political status quo…
SY: The current political situation is truly horrifying, depressing and heavy, when things are like that the only thing you can do is bring something good to the world and fight!
RS: You have to fight the power and stand up for what you believe, especially today when our system became so obsolete and so many people challenge and question the current values! Get away from social media is very useful…
Do you guys believe in other dimensions?
SY: I do believe in other dimensions and I believe that all the alternative versions of a reality exist somewhere else in the universe…
Do you think a revolution is imminent?
RS: I don’t think a revolution is imminent, you never know, people never predict these things and it’s kinda scary…
SY: I’m curious to see what will be the model of the upcoming revolutions…
Interview and portrait by Ivica Mamedy and Carolina de Medeiros Cosme
