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INTERVIEW: Afterlife & Moonseed
- 5 may 2025
- 6 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: 6 may 2025
Bridging continents and cultures, Afterlife and Moonseed have crafted an album that flows like water—effortless, immersive, and profoundly rooted in the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. Recorded remotely between the UK and China, this unique collaboration draws on ancient Taoist philosophy, ambient soundscapes, and intricate percussion to create music that evolves with every listen. From the spontaneous spirit of Wu Wei to the gentle guidance of traditional Chinese instruments and Balearic textures, the album is a serene yet deeply layered journey. We spoke with both artists to uncover how their creative process unfolded across time zones, philosophies, and sonic traditions.
Your upcoming album blends Taoist philosophy, ambient textures, and intricate percussion. How did these themes shape the production process?
Afterlife:
The production process was a follows: Either I or Moonseed would take a verse from the Tao Te Ching which felt inspiring on that particular day as the theme for the piece of music. For my part I would attempt to translate every line of the verse into its musical equivalent. Then I would send the multi track to Moonseed with a note of the verse number so she could then complete the writing process and send me the multitrack back with a rough mix to give me an idea how she heard the overall balance. Then I would complete the mixing process and send it to her for comments and tweaks until we were both entirely happy with the finished production, I would then master the track for release. We had decided at the beginning that whatever the verse inspired in us we would follow in the spirit of Wu Wei so we never planned textures or intricate percussion, they just naturally happened in the writing process.
Moonseed:
I would choose some verses from the Tao Te Ching that deeply inspire me and express the insights and feelings they bring through the language of music. Steve does the same. Then we exchange our tracks, allowing each other to refine, edit, and add new instruments. Finally, Steve completes the mixing and mastering.
I feel that everything came about naturally and spontaneously, without overanalyzing or planning too much with the mind. Actually, I tried to avoid planning ahead before production, just like “Wu Wei”. These tracks simply unfolded on their own. The whole process was very peaceful.
Given that you worked remotely between the UK and China, how did the long-distance collaboration influence the structure or feel of the album?
Afterlife:
It’s not quite the same as both people being in the same studio but as Moonseed and I share the same philosophy on production and writing and respond quickly to emails it was not so different. In a way it was more considered as we had time to listen to each others work before commenting, usually a day of listening during writing, then perhaps up to a month of tweaking each production as we are both very precise about what we want musically and tonally. That felt no different to me as that is how I always work on my own, a flurry of composition and mix then tons of listening, taking notes, every day I hear all music differently, different parts stand out, express perhaps a different emotion than the day/ week/year/decade before. Time’s funny like that.
Moonseed:
Although we were separated by a great geographical distance and time difference, we stayed very much in sync and made it a habit to reply to emails the same day or the next. All of our communication was done through email, which actually encouraged us to be more precise with every note and piece of feedback.
The remote nature of our collaboration reduced the tendency for over-editing, allowing the album to unfold in a more natural and organic way. In fact, the distance gave us both more space—to create freely and to trust each other more deeply.
Moonseed, your use of traditional Chinese instruments is beautifully integrated. How do you decide which elements from Chinese heritage to bring into modern electronic contexts?
It was more like, in that moment, a strong feeling or flow of energy guided me to play the instrument that best fit the track. It’s funny—during this whole creative process, no thoughts really entered my mind. My body just played that instrument. Haha!
Afterlife, with your Balearic background, how did you ensure your signature warmth and spaciousness translated in this cross-cultural project?
I just did what I always do, I have always made ambient music with different flavours like hip hop, flamenco, dub, jazz, classical, african, latin american. psychedelic, stuff that inspires, I like playing around with flavours, I do it in my kitchen too with good natural food that’s good for my physical well being, I like music to do the same for my soul, to feel warmth and space is very important to me. I like to give reverb and delays great importance, they are paramount to good spatial production. They can transport you to another place in your reality. This project brought a whole new collection of flavours to the kitchen.
Were there any specific Taoist texts, teachings, or ideas that you found particularly inspiring while creating the album?
Yes, here they are:
Track by track inspiration from verses of Tao Te Ching extracts.
Translation by Gia- Fu Feng and Jane English.
1. PRIMAL VIRTUE
Therefore all things arise from Tao.
By virtue they are nourished,
Developed, cared for,
Sheltered, comforted,
Grown, and protected.
Creating without claiming,
Doing without taking credit,
Guiding without interfering,
This is Primal Virtue.
2. THREE TREASURES
I have three treasures which I hold and keep.
The first is mercy; the second is economy;
The third is daring not to be ahead of others.
From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity;
From humility comes leadership.
3. XUAN PIN
The valley spirit never dies;
It is the woman, primal mother.
Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it; it will never fail.
4. FEW WORDS
Keep your mouth shut,
Guard the senses,
And life is ever full.
Open your mouth,
Always be busy,
And life is beyond hope.
5. LYING LOW IN STILLNESS
The female overcomes the male with stillness,
Lying low in stillness.
6. THE CYCLE OF LIFE
Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind rest at peace.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
7. THINGS WILL FLOURISH
Man follows the earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows the Tao.
Tao follows what is natural.
8. THOSE WHO KNOW DO NOT SPEAK
Keep your mouth closed.
Guard your senses.
Temper your sharpness.
Simplify your problems.
Mask your brightness.
Ba at one with the dust of the earth.
This is primal union.
9. HIDDEN DEEP
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the know, Soften the glare,
Merge with dust.
Oh hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from whence it comes.
It is the forefather of emperors.
10. TRUE NATURE
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be open hearted.
Being open hearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.
What was the most unexpected sonic moment that emerged during your collaboration?
Afterlife:
The first time I heard Moonseed’s voice! It is so pure and beautiful, like an instrument from heaven. Also her Guzheng playing was a lovely surprise, it is quite exceptional and worked so well with the electronic instruments.
Moonseed:
Steve's Buchla synthesizer! He’s great at designing unique and beautiful tones with it, and with his fluid playing style, the whole track comes to life with energy. The sounds he creates always bring beautiful imagery to my mind!
You describe this as music that “shifts as you hear.” How do you approach creating that kind of dynamic emotional experience?
Afterlife:
When I go into my studio I sit quietly and visualise my intentions, it just happens, it is the way of Tao, perhaps the verse that inspired track 10 (the title track) explains it. We had absolute belief in what we were doing and it felt very natural and easy to create.
Moonseed:
With the sacred words of the Tao Te Ching guiding us, it truly brought us a sense of deep peace. Producing from a place of inner stillness is always the best, and it’s free and unrestricted, like a child at play. I feel these elements gave the album a certain vitality, and each time I listen, it speaks to me in a new way.
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