Surprise Cast #75 Ricardo Fiel (Moon Cowboy)

Hello, everyone! This is W, host of the H.I. Art on the Edge page, and I am thrilled to welcome you to the latest episode of our brand new feature, Surprise Cast. Today marks my fourth conversation with the incredibly talented Ricardo Fiel, known to many as Moon Cowboy. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Ricardo and his work as an artist and musician. In this episode, we embark on a journey to peel back the layers of Ricardo's life and artistry.

We kick off the conversation by doing some rapid fire questions. Ricardo responds to a question about early childhood moments regarding creativity. ("I was in elementary school...I decided to make what I would call an electric guitar"). Ricardo's creative process and the activities that bring him joy and uplift his spirits. He candidly shares his challenges and how he balances his life to recharge his batteries. Ricardo opens up about the overwhelming aspects of his life and how he navigates through them.

One of the highlights of this episode is our discussion about Ricardo's new explosive EP, "An Explosion of Sound." ("there are two things I need to do...I want to have very soft vocals...but then I want the chorus to be like early Ride"). We listen to a few tracks from the EP, and Ricardo provides insightful analysis and the stories behind the music. We delve into the themes of mental health, a topic close to Ricardo's heart, and discuss what's coming down the line for him in 2024.

Throughout the episode, Ricardo shares poignant memories from his childhood, including impactful experiences that continue to influence his work today. He reflects on the profound influence of his grandparents and the emotional journey of saying goodbye to his beloved grandmother. ("She had the most impact on me...by far"). 

We also explore the concept of "friend-torship," discussing the people who have helped Ricardo along his musical journey and how he, in turn, mentors others. Ricardo shares stories of his connections with notable figures like Pete Kemper (Sonic Boom, Spacemen 3) and James Chapman (MAPS), emphasizing the importance of giving and receiving support within the creative community. ("Maps were a huge influence on this EP"). 

In the latter part of the conversation, we dive into Ricardo's work as Moon Cowboy. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of his EP, discussing the inspiration, challenges, and the creative process that brought it to life. We listen to and analyze two tracks from the EP: "A Moment" and "In Colors," uncovering the layers of sound and emotion that make his music so compelling.

The episode concludes with a heartfelt discussion on mental health, where Ricardo shares his personal experiences and the importance of seeking help and maintaining mental well-being. ("I'm going to take time for myself"). We wrap up with a fun lightning round, touching on various topics from favorite foods to memorable concerts, and end with a reflective passage from Rick Rubin's book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being."

Join us for this enriching and candid conversation with Moon Cowboy, and discover the depth and passion behind his music and life. His work is good for the soul. 

Follow Moon Cowboy:
https://1991recordings.bandcamp.com/album/an-explosion-of-sound-ep

https://www.facebook.com/mooncowboymusic

https://www.instagram.com/mooncowboymusic/

https://x.com/mooncowboymusic

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