With an ancestor responsible for one of the best classics in English Literature, Richard Melville Hall has proven himself to be a master in his own way. Moby was so nicknamed because of his relations to the author of the famous whaling tale. This New Yorker refuses to travel anywhere by car, citing environmental considerations as the reason, and generally displays little of the public anonymity dictating the creed of the underground DJ.

Moby's beginnings saw him as a member of hardcore punk group the Vatican Commandos. He was also a substitute for Flipper while their vocalist was in prison. His career finally took off when, under the guise of “Go”, Moby took the theme from award-winning series Twin Peaks into the UK Top 10. It was a hit with both mainstream and club audiences, appealing to their perverse sides; but there was more to come. 1993's “I Feel It”/“Thousand” was much more bizarre, reflecting Moby's playful, irreverent attitude to his work. The single managed to make it into the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest single ever, its climax hitting 1,015 bpm. His rock and roll background served to complement him further in his career in the mid-80s where he got drawn to dance music. First it was reading about it and hanging out in clubs; then it was collecting cheap, second hand recording equipment and basing himself in an old factory/converted prison in New York's Little Italy district. Since then his remix catalogue includes names like Micheal Jackson, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and Erasure. Headlines were created in 1997 when his “James Bond Theme” debuted at UK number 8.

Throughout his career Moby has consistently challenged preconceptions about dance based artistes by taking the listener on a series of genre journeys. There was garage punk from 1996's “Animal Rights” dancefloor mayhem from 1996's “Everything Is Wrong - Mixed and Remixed”, epic soundtracks like “I Like To Score” from 1997, and even flotation tank new-classical sonics with “Underwater”. The latest addition to Moby's multi-genred forays is last year's release of “Play”, which has already gained multi-platinum status in the UK and other European countries.

There are several tracks in “Play” which were based around sampled field recordings made by folklorist Alan Lomax in the earlier part of the century. Strains of “Procelain”, his biggest track in Singapore shores ever, can be heard on the latest Motorola television commercial. The irresistible allure of “Play” has succeeded in being the first album in history to have all of its tracks licensed out. Movies which have traces of “Play” include “Any Given Sunday”, “The Next Big Thing”, “Play It To The Bone”, “The Beach”, “Body Shot” and “Big Daddy”. But Moby remains unfazed by such success, preferring to keep his life simple.

The man is currently remixing “Honey”, a track from his platinum album “Play”, while securing his supporting act for a North American tour coming up in September, October and part of November. Bands that might be featured alongside this double inaugural Dancestar Award winner include Moloko, Magnetic Fields and Grandaddy. Moby has also been talking to R and B singer Kelis (of “Caught Out There” fame) about adding some vocals into his tracks.

Music Videos -
Moby's Music Video:
Natural Blues(Cartoon Animation)
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Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?
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Listen To -
Natural Blues
Porcelain
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad