I spoke to Moby, a songwriter, musician, DJ and photographer, about his new memoir called Porcelain. I asked him about his untraditional career, what caused him to overcome obstacles early on, how growing up gave him perspective, the current state of the music business and his best advice.
Moby has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. He gained attention in the early 1990s with his electronic dance music work, which experimented in the techno and breakbeat hardcore genres. With his fifth studio album, the electronica and house music-influenced Play, he gained international success. Moby has also co-written, produced, and remixed music for Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Daft Punk, Mylène Farmer, Brian Eno, Pet Shop Boys, Britney Spears, and Guns N' Roses.
Dan Schawbel: You didn't fit the traditional mold of a musician growing up. Do you believe that let you stand out and shine or do you view it as a hindrance? Why?
Moby: when i was growing up i didn't want to have an un-traditional musical life, but as i was interested in so many disparate types of music(classical, punk rock, electronic, folk, etc)i had to approach things untraditionally in order to satisfy my interests in all of these different genres. at times it's been a hindrance, as it's easier for musicians to be known for only one type of music, but ultimately it's helped me to have a life as a musician that's kept me interested after all of these decades.
Schawbel: There was a time when you were about to give up on your dreams but decided to push forward. What was going through your head at the time and how did that eventually lead to a successful album?
Moby: well, i pushed forward because i didn't know what else to do. for better or worse i've never had a 'fall back plan', so even when things were at their bleakest i had to persevere because i didn't have any other options.
Schawbel: How did your early struggle growing up poor factor into the music you created and how you've lived your life since?
Moby: growing up poor in a wealthy environment both gave me a perspective on being an outsider, and also the awareness that money and things aren't inherently bad but they don't have any inherent ability to deliver happiness or well being.
Schawbel: What can we learn about the state of business in New York City between the time you first started out and now?
Moby: i guess that computers and connectivity have created unimaginable levels of speed, efficiency, wealth, data, and communication. all of which constitutes a very complicated double edged sword.
Schawbel: What are your top three pieces of career advice?
Moby:
1. Love what you do.
2. Stay away from drugs and small planes.
3. Keep working no matter what happens. if things are good: keep working. if things are bad: keep working.
