#sunmoonstar

sun: 1/3 of the sun, moon, and star series

Sunmoonstar and Inner Travels released new albums back in September on Inner Islands, Rainbow Springs and Sea of Leaves (respectively). I, Sean of Inner Islands, got to chat with Natasha Home (of Sunmoonstar) and Steve Targo (of Inner Travels) about their lives and musical work.

Inner Islands: What have you two been inspired by lately?

Natasha Home: Hi! Well we just had a big storm here in Florida. Some time off was inspiring, and I spent one night playing with modular synths listening to the storm outside. I kept thinking the power would go off then it didn't, and i guess that I was worried I'd lose everything I was creating, or maybe just accepting that it could be lost. We were very lucky with the storm, there's allot to be grateful for this week!

Steve Targo: Hi, everyone! Glad you're OK, Tash!! Probably the biggest sources of inspiration for me lately are the Yamaha CP, Korg Volca FM, William Allaudin Mathieu's albums Streaming Wisdom & In The Wind, Scott Fitzgerald's Bamboo Waterfall, the "Relaxation & Meditation with Music & Nature" series entries by David Miles Huber (thanks for the tip, Kyle Landstra!) and the book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki.

II: Yes, I'm really glad you're ok too, Tash! And it's interesting what happens to a creative practice when there is something on the line or there are these very present factors that are outside of one's control. Embracing, or at least try to work with, the chaos...

NH: thank you! Ah Steve that all sounds like so much fun to have those instruments! I recently started playing with the Prophet '08 :)

II: Do either of you feel like the particularity of your synths guide your hands at all during the creative process? Like you might feel more inclined to play one sort of melody on one synth than on another?

ST: That's a good question, Sean. Until recently, I was a one-synth-at-a-time person. One synth, one song. With a Blofeld, that's not really an issue, but it can be a challenge with the Volca FM. Such challenges can be rewarding. But I tend to forget that each synth can be used as an instrument in an orchestra, and how assigning each one a certain role in a session can really expand my ideas. How do you like the Prophet '08, Tash? Did you use it on Rainbow Springs?

NH: I am loving the Prophet 08! I started recording with it recently and am drawn to the sequencing processes, I love playing with the mathematics and the randomness and being able to let go of the composition. Actually for Rainbow Springs I focused myself away from sequencing, I practiced parts before I recorded them, chords and melodies on a yamaha synth, the SY35, two sequencers, the qy70 and qy100 with my Alesis Micron to write patterns and craft my own sounds as accompaniment. So I'm finding that if I let the machine write the melody my experience of intuitive memory is discovering emotion outside of myself that I can relate with. Lately and especially in Rainbow Springs I'm enjoying writing parts challenging myself to perform intuitively written pieces rather than push buttons and turn knobs to find out what will happen. I can't say which process has more feeling, I'm interested in modular experimentation now too, so I'd say I'm inclined to work with emotion, everything else is open =)

II: Do you think either of you would be able to translate your albums, Rainbow Springs or Sea of Leaves, into a live setting?

ST: I've never played a live show, but I would assume I could perform Sea of Leaves. At the moment, my focus with music is on making and releasing recordings.

NH: This may be my ideal (Steve you are really living the dream!), to eventually be able to just focus on recordings alone, as I am currently writing a live set and wondering if practicing will ever be as interesting and as fun as improvising. In previous albums I did allot of sculpting in the mixing process to write songs. In Rainbow Springs I had live performance in mind, also the album is inspired by a particular place, and I'd like to play the songs there. We'll see!

II: Well, I would love to see both of your albums performed live! Tash, what makes live performance interesting and engaging for you?

NH: I love improvisation, also I love pop so something inbetween which probably just comes out as ambient happens when I play live, and I also DJ regularly and love the live performance aspect of mixing, maybe this love for random creative moments comes through in my music too. Community and good times are probably my favorite things about playing out, especially conversations and after parties. Ever since I moved to Gainesville and started working with Elestial Sound I've been loving the live music experience even more. Gainesville inspired the songs and album title because we have a great community here and are surrounded by wonderful nature. For me live performance can be engaging with the community and listening to nature or recording, everything just kind of feels live to me about art. Meeting friends online and sharing our music is also a live performance vibe in a way sometimes ;)

II: When did you two start writing longer pieces (10+ minutes)? And how do you feel your way into the duration of a piece?

NH: I started recording long pieces early on for experimentation, also I listened to albums when I was starting to get into recording that have continuous tracks and some kind of theme, like Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, White Noise An Electric Storm, Water Bearer by Sally Oldfield, also I was really into techno and experimental electronic music early on from going to dance parties.

ST: The first song on Nourish is almost 12 minutes long. It was recorded while I was making Garden Music, and I believe that's the first time I had a song longer than 10 minutes on an album. Ultimately, I play or just let the synths go as long as I continue to feel something, or until my instinct tells me it should stop.

II: What can we look forward to from you two in the new year? And what are you two looking forward to yourselves?

NH: I'm saving for a fretless bass for my next album :)

Hi again! 

I’m here with my fanaccount for KNK’s fansign during their “해달별" promotions.

This was a notably important fansign for me because I’m pretty sure this is my last fansign event before I leave Korea on the 22nd...

I’m so sad. ㅠㅠ

Anyway, it was a really awesome event and I’m glad I got to see my favorite group up close and personal again.

I did a video about their fansign before during “U” era too.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

KNK’s fansigns are getting more competitive nowadays, with fans buying more than 10 albums to have a chance to get in. I originally bought 9 albums, but after seeing a fan next to me at the CD store buy 10, I bought 3 more, totaling up to 12 albums overall. And I got in!

On the day of the fansign, I found the building where it was held and headed to the B2 floor. Some fans were waiting to get in, but the staircase and entrance was rather narrow. I showed my Alien Registration Card to verify my identification (though a passport works just as well) and the staff told me to pick a card that was on the table. The assorted cards were all face-down, and this was to determine my seat number. I got number 63. 

I took my seat, but the rows of chairs were all close together and narrow too, not allowing much room. This was a noticeable inconvenience when fans had to squeeze past each other in the rows. I spent a huge amount of time before coming to prepare a fanletter for my bias Seungjun, so I had to write down all the post-its for the members that I would put in my album.

Soon the members appeared and the fansign went underway. They looked so handsome as always, but they look especially good with the suits in this era aghhhh. 

Sorry that my picture’s quality isn’t too good, but this is how the fansign was conducted. The order was: Jihun→Inseong→Seungjun→Youjin→Heejun

MEMBER INTERACTIONS (with pictures and gifs!)

I’ll fast-forward to the interactions I had with each member. I’m sorry that I forgot some things that happened, but in the thick of the moment, it’s hard to process and take in everything that happened (for me). Luckily, I met someone at the fansign that was kind enough to take a video of me when I went through this great experience. I was really nervous again, because they’re my favorite group and this was my last time, so I was even more anxious. 

JIHUN

So leader Jihun was first this time around~ Actually he was rather quiet today as well; when I met him at a fansign last year, he was rather soft-spoken too. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I pointed to the questions I had brought for him on the post-its and told him I was a part of an international KNK fan group on Facebook, and I gathered some questions other Tinkerbells wanted to know about KNK. He was listening and then all of a sudden, said, “Ah. International,” in English. THAT WAS FREAKING CUTE AHH. He was really handsome up-close, though. He looked mature and cool when he was in thinking mode, but then he lapsed into squishy mode when he smiled and it was just adorable.

He really thought deeply about the questions I wrote. I guess he had to think a lot about how to answer them. But another factor was that time was really limited and the staff members were quite strict so they moved our albums to the next member by force, cutting our time short. 

Blue post-it note: Q: Which member is really the closest to Jihun-hyung...? A: I’m close with all but umm... Heejun?! Jihun had some trouble answering this question but dang, I didn’t expect him to think so seriously about it. ㅠㅠ I’m sorry if I had to make you pick a favorite! I know you all love each other LOL. 

Yellow post-it note: Q: Where do you draw the inspiration when you make the choreography (for KNK)? A: There’s just times when suddenly... Ttak!  I forgot what other little things we said after he answered those, but I had to move on. I gave him high-fives as a farewell and moved over to... Inseong!

INSEONG

Next was my second bias, Inseong. I greeted him by saying, “Inseonggie hyung~” hahaha because he’s just a fun, cool guy. He grinned and asked, “Hyung?” I SWEAR THIS WAS SO REMINISCENT WHEN I FIRST MET HIM in person when he asked me, “Am I hyung?” LOL. But he is just killing the visual game nowadays. He looked especially handsome today. He asked me where I’m from and I told him America, more specifically Hawaii. 

Bottom post-it note: Q: Is there a place you really want to visit (vacation-wise)? A: Hawaii That’s probably why he cleverly wrote his answer as “Hawaii” for my question, but I’m not complaining! Inseong is really easy to talk to.  I told him that his hairstyle for this concept suits him very well and that he looks really handsome. He was really happy to hear a compliment and ahhh he was just an excited hamster. I assured him that he was already handsome but now, even more. I basically complimented him a lot because he deserves more love and attention!! Top post-it note: Q: The most difficult point of this promotion...? A: Live...!? He explained that singing live was one of the toughest parts of promotions. I asked why, and he said it’s because he has to sing rather high. I understand him because him singing the chorus in “해달별" while dancing pretty vigorously looked really tiring... But he pulled it off! I told him he was really good and that he’s doing well. I feel like he was insecure a little about his performance as a vocalist and how well he does and I wanted to reassure him. It was time to move on so I told him bye~ Inseong really does have a warm heart and he’s such a nice person please give him lots of affection and reassurance

SEUNGJUN *BIAS ALERT*

*sigh* I really can’t express how great and caring Seungjun is. I can tell he truly loves and adores his fans, and it shows from the way he treats them. He said my name like, “Junior?” in a cute tone and I said cutely too, “Seungjunnie-hyung~” AHAHAHAHA. He immediately looked at my questions and more antics ensued.

Blue post-it note: Q: POKEMON or DIGIMON, you can only choose one A: *marks Pokemon* but went the extra mile to show his UNCONDITIONAL PREFERENCE FOR DIGIMON LIKE WHAT THE NOOOOOOO Yellow post-it note: Q: Is there a member you want to live with for the rest of your life? A: Inseong Jihun At first, he took a look at the blue note and I reiterated, “You can only choose one!” Without hesitation, he answered, “Digimon!” I was like WHAT THE HECK, NO YOU CAN’T CHOOSE DIGIMON OVER POKEMON OMGG. He was so firm, he was like, “Digimon~” in a cute tone and I told him, “Why??” He seemed a bit sympathetic and marked Pokemon, but said, “Digimon~” again and decorated a box around the word Digimon. DANG IT SEUNGJUN. I was like OTL because I came dressed in a Squirtle hoodie because I thought he loved Pokemon more but that happened. I mockingly complained, “I came dressed like this too...” Seungjun chuckled and then proceeded to gently grab my arm and draw a little heart on the Squirtle patch design on my hoodie!!!

SJ: *in a Korean accent* Hearteu~ I internally died at this cute action like I AM NEVER WASHING THIS HOODIE AGAIN LOL I also made sure to give him the letter I worked on. He then looked at my second post-it, which he thought about for a moment. At first, Seungjun wrote Inseong, so I asked him why. He said because Inseong is funny. BUT THEN LAST MINUTE Seungjun scratches out Inseong’s name and writes Jihun AND HE DIDN’T EVEN GIVE A REASON WHY LOL. So that made think like HMMMMM this ship really sails itself huh... Now I had to tell him that this was pretty much my last chance to see them... Me: Actually, on the 22nd, I’m leaving Korea, so this is my last chance to see you guys. I’m really glad I got to see you guys often while I was here. SJ: *in a cute pleading voice* Don’t go~ (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH) Me: I don’t wanna leave either!

And then this happened.

OMG I was so flustered when he asked when I’ll be back with that cheeky smile that I accidentally lapsed into English hahahaha. He probably didn’t understand what I said, but I had to move on ㅠㅠ!! Wait for me Seungjun, I’ll be back!! I really want to cry now... Hahahaha. And it ended cutely because I kept shaking his hand, and then...

Thank goodness. He is the best and he’s always so sweet!!

YOUJIN

Okay I’m going to start off my account of Youjin because right when I got to him, he asked me, “Are you a fan of Seungjun?” BWAHAHAHA he called me out!! I told him that I liked all the members but yeah, Seungjun was my fave... If he noticed that, then wow... 

And then it was like another round of deja vu because I told him I was from Hawaii and that he should come, and he replied, “I want to go too!” LIKE THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE SAID LAST YEAR AT THE FIRST FANSIGN LOL.

He looked over my questions and I told him they were from other international fans. He got super excited over the Overwatch question and his inner fanboy came out. 

Yellow post-it note: Q: Which heroes (do you use) when you play Overwatch? A: Roadhog, Reinhardt, and... the last part was a bit illegible but I think he wrote the name of a Korean Overwatch player named 후아유. [If anyone wants to help me out with deciphering that, it’d be much appreciated~] He was so happy when talking about his mains for OW, but I had to tell him that I actually didn’t know the game at all loooool. I wish I could’ve nerded out with him but idk ㅋㅋㅋ He even asked me, “Isn’t Overwatch quite popular in America?” lmaooo which is true but yeah, I’m clueless.

Blue post-it note: Q: What are you most afraid of?? A: Bugs! 1인칭 horror game.

So Youjin seems to be the least fearful in the group so I also wanted to know what scares him. He wrote “bugs” and I couldn’t believe like this guy didn’t flinch for the ghost prank or a VR zombie slashing him but he’s afraid of insects??

I’m not judging tho but dang.AND OKAY I SEARCHED UP THE HORROR GAME HE TALKED ABOUT AND THAT SHIZ IS NO JOKE.

OH HELLLLLL NOOOOO YOU CAN COUNT ME OUT OF THIS GAME CUZ SHIZ I WOULD PISS MYSELF DURING THIS VR EXPERIENCE

But Youjin is a cool chill guy who loves gaming so hit him up yo

HEEJUN

Heejun, Heejun, Heejun. You never know how he’ll be like. I heard from a friend that he’s different every time which is kinda true. The first time I met him, he was comical but on the quiet side, and we were kinda awkward... BUT THIS TIME WAS JUST OMG LOL. He spoke some English to me even though I was talking to him in Korean which was cute. He said things like, “Where are you from?” and “Really?” Soooo silly. I complimented him on his English pronunciation and I DIDN’T NOTICE THIS UNTIL MY FRIEND SHOWED ME THE FOOTAGE SHE TOOK AND-

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Heejun’s also quite chill but he’s so funny agh.

moon: 3/3 of my sun, moon, and star series