INTERVIEW WITH DREAMY SYNTH-POP DUO (AND REAL LIFE COUPLE) MOONRAY

Moonray is a synth-pop duo and real life couple from Austin, Texas who free-spirited music that is inspired by glittery 80s electro-pop and icons of bygone eras such as Jimi Hendrix and Prince hopes to imbibe lots of happy vibes into the world. Meet Jonray and Barbara of Moonray in my interview below where the talk music inspirations, being a real life couple making music, and their current single "Come Away".

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So I always ask a ice breaker question. Are you guys more of a listener or talker?

BARBARA/MOONRAY: Jonray is definitely a talker, sometimes I have to snap my fingers a few times to get him listening lol. I like to see myself as more of a listener but at the same time, I am a libra and I try to balance both listener and talker. 

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s talk about about your song “Come Away”? How did this come together?

BARBARA/MOONRAY:Come Away” came together shortly after Jonray’s proposal to me under the full moon. Although the music had been created while in San Francisco we hadn’t found the right words to add to it. We knew it was a love song but it all came together at the right time. This song will always be our wedding song. 

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How has it been being not only being a real life couple but a duo as well? Does this bring about a different set challenges or positives? 

JONRAY/MOONRAY: I’d say it’s an immensely positive thing. It’s hard enough to gather 3-5 dudes to practice once a week let alone pile them all in a sweaty van. Sharing touring and living space with your loved one is way more comfy in my opinion. We eat, breath and sleep Moonray together. I think it has helped us both grow together personally and professionally. We definitely have civil debates on which drum machine we are using or which word sounds best. At the end of the day, we know we are in it together. We want to make beautiful music and share it with the world. 

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How is the creative and recording process going on your upcoming album “Digital Moon”? 

JONRAY/MOONRAY: The recording process is going great! We are very excited to have guest drummers on the album; Joe Travers and Johnny Radelat. It’s an album very close to our heart and we have dedicated 2.5 years and want to make sure it’s perfect. In the meantime, we will be releasing 3 more singles. Keep an eye out!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Switching gears a bit here’s a fun question if you had your own talk show who would your first three guests be and why?

MOONRAY: If alive or dead, Guest #1 would be Prince because come on, it’s Prince. Guest #2 Steve Jobs. Would love to talk to him about staying committed to a vision and how he really feels about technology and where it's going. Guest #3 Tom Oberheim. He's made some of the best synthesizers on the planet that we love and would love to hear his story in person. If Bob Moog and Dave Smith could join that'd be epic!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What your favorite throwback jam? 

JONRAY/MOONRAY: We’d have to say that’d be “Cars” by Gary Numan but it’s a very tough call and it changes. 

MOONRAY by Taylor Prinsen Photography
MOONRAY by Taylor Prinsen Photography

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Are there any artists that have been “On Repeat” for you guys lately? What music have you guys been digging?

BARBARA/MOONRAY: We have a wide variety, Tame Impala, Alice Merton, Toro y Moi and we have to admit Taylor Swift’s new song “You Need to Calm Down” is a banger! We also love waking up to the Darjeeling Limited soundtrack on vinyl. It's our go-to to start the day off right.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And what’s next on the horizon for MOONRAY?

JONRAY/MOONRAY: We are starting to shoot our first official music video this month with director Diego Lozano and we are Super Psyched! Also, we are releasing 3 more singles here soon. Keep a lookout for some shows popping out in 2019 and 2020. 

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Anything else you would like to add? Thanks for your time! :)

MOONRAY: Thank you so much for having us and for all that you do! If anybody out there wants to say hi and pop in our Instagram feel free to send us a DM. We love meeting new people. 

Peace, Light, Love, Harmony and all That Jazz! 


https://open.spotify.com/track/6bsPCMMnFk91riLFel498O?si=vhF9V5rkQzCjqJdx9JRqew


Until then,

Brittney x

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