The chemistry of Los Angeles-based MMOONN is undeniable from the moment you begin to hear their sonically charged music.  The duo vocalist/composer Odeya Nini and producer Nicolas Snyder capture the essence of dreamy textures and sounds, weaving beautiful improvisational and compositional skills into the music.  Today, MMOONN has shared the video for their moving single off their upcoming self-titled album (out April 10), “Change.” 

Lyrically, “Change” is a concentrated piece of work that is emotionally driven to its core.  While we all come from diverse backgrounds that shape us in different ways, it’s imperative to understand that we are all valued and adored as a collective.  Even if you find yourself in sectors of abhorrence and are being misdirected, allow yourself to be loved, and all will be right.  As for the video, the images are striking and breathtaking.  “The initial inspiration for the video was a clip from a 1930’s film called Le Roi des Aulnes that we came across,” said Odeya. There is a surreal image of a woman seemingly floating on a waterfall. The supernatural mixed with nature was appealing to us. The filming and editing process kept revealing to us what this video wanted to be – a dramatic, emotional, and otherworldly expression of the physical body in relationship with dynamic landscapes. Every moment was carefully thought out to represent something both very clear and very abstract. Once in the process we also realized we were paying homage to the classic 90s Red Hot Chili Peppers video – ‘Give It Away’. I worked very closely on the vision, cut, and edit of this video to truly birth a visual that brings the song to life.”

Finding himself in a cavernous tunnel in the San Gabriel Mountains in 2021, Snyder was among a gathering of individuals to witness a performance by Nini.  While taking in the picturesque backdrop of the environment that he was immersed in, Snyder became captivated by Odeya’s solo set.  It would be rather difficult not to, as her compositions, along with the delivery of the material, resulted in what he described as “something ancient and primal.  “She was making sounds I had never heard in a vocal performance before, but something more than just her voice was being transferred. It awoke something in me. A desire to reconnect with my own voice in a new way.”

This experience, courtesy of Nini’s act, awakened something in Nicolas that was simply not going to be either denied or stay dormant.  He began to realize that reconnection with his own voice was necessary.  Luckily for Snyder, he learned that Odeya taught vocal embodiment, a technique that connects a person’s body to their voice to improve their singing and self-expression.

Once the two began meeting in Elysian Park in Los Angeles, Odeya noticed that Nicolas had a strong connection to himself and his voice.  This connection between Nini and Snyder was instantaneous and can be heard on the upcoming MMOONN release, along with otherworldly compositions and vocal arrangements.

“We both had limited time but would get together a few evenings a month with zero concept of what we were going to make and just see what happened”, says Snyder when work began on the self-titled album.
“I expected us to complete the album in a month or two, but it took us nearly a year and a half to complete.”  Musicians such as drummer Max Jaffe, saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi were incorporated into the recording sessions to add layers to the already impressive work that was laid down.

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Hein