For those already hip to Mr. Sumney, please forgive my lateness to the greatness of this magical musical experience.
For those who aren't familiar with Moses Sumney, please allow me to introduce you.
The first Moses Sumney song I experienced was Pleas. It was something about the way he delicately sang the word Please (spelled Pleas by Sumney) that made me wonder, what was he begging for? After listening countless times, out of obsession, I realized he was asking a serious question. He chased transparency about the love someone gave or maybe kept from him. How many of us seek clear and direct communication? If you can relate, you aren't alone because Moses begs beautifully by repeating Please throughout the entire song. Beyond the repeated question, the vocal arrangement, angelic falsetto and just pure genius of his voice is what makes Pleas so magical.
Moses Sumney Has A Voice That Cannot Be Denied
The best word to describe Moses Sumney is gifted.
In my quest to acquaint myself with Moses Sumney, I found a La Blogotheque interview and intimate live session. I was excited to hear more, learn more and experience more of his live vocals. In the end, I was surprisingly gifted with an inspirational story.
One day, Moses found himself lost in Paris with no money, no food, and no way home. Without the ability to sustain himself, Moses tapped into survival mode. He made a decision that most, would deem embarrassing. Until he earned enough money to travel home, each day for 2 hours, Moses performed in the Paris Metro subway. He says, " I needed that push, because either you sing, or you starve."
The beauty in this story is his humbling experience. Although Moses wasn't necessarily excited about the task, he swallowed his pride for the greater good. By simply using his god given talent, Moses carved his way out of a difficult time. A true testament to the power of his artistry.
Are you willing to use only what God gave you as a survival kit? Will you embrace forced humility?
I personally walked away from the video with new knowledge of the type of man Moses Sumney seems to be. I had already fallen in love with his music, but the man himself, is one of strength and courage, with a brilliant story to tell.
Moses Sumney's music is well crafted with emotion, soulful harmonies and unique arrangements. His voice can serve as the instrument, background vocals and of course, the lead voice (listen to Replaceable and Everlasting Sigh).
Find the Music
I discovered Moses Sumney's music on sound cloud. You can visit his page to begin listening as well. Also, take a peak at his website .
As always, you can purchase his music on iTunes.
My favorite Moses Sumney songs thus far are Man on The Moon, Dwell in the Dark, Plastic and Title of this Song. I hope through your experience, you are able to connect with Moses as well. I also hope that you play his songs repeatedly without shame.