New York, United States (1982 – present)
Moby (born Richard Melville Hall on September 11, 1965, in Harlem, New York) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, DJ and photographer. He is well-known for his electronic music, vegan lifestyle, and support of animal rights. From beginning as a musician in 1982, Moby gained attention in the early 1990s with his electronic dance music work that experimented in the techno and breakbeat genres. He has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. He has also released music under the names Voodoo Child, Barracuda, U.H.F., The Brotherhood, DJ Cake, Lopez, On the Rim of the Wheel a Nail, and Brainstorm/Mindstorm.
Moby plays keyboards, guitar and bass guitar. He took his performing name from the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, who is his great-great-granduncle. His work, while focused in general on various forms of electronic music, have explored many other styles.
Early years
Moby used to be in a punk rock band called the Vatican Commandos, which was formed in 1980. The group evolved away from punk in 1989 for electronic music. He realized his music tastes and growth were going in a different direction than his previous band’s vibe, and he broke off on his own.
His first album “The Story So Far (aka Moby)” featured the single “Go”, which gained popularity in many discos, and earned a spot on the UK charts. The song is so popular that Moby still plays “Go” regularly in his sets. “Go” is a progressive track using the string line from “Laura Palmer’s Theme” from the TV drama Twin Peaks.
