If Elvis had been born in New Zealand in 1991, he would have had just as much fun.
Musician Willy Moon creates a modern twist on 1950s revivalist rock ’n’ roll, incorporating vocals which range from rapping to crooning, turntables, and crunchy guitar riffs. His dress and hairstyle harken back to the age of Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, and he loves to keep listeners on their toes.
“It’s fun that people don’t know what to expect of me. I think there are a lot of people who find me difficult because I don’t fit into any of the boxes that have been created. It makes me happy,” said Moon. “I think that at heart I’m a bit of a punk.”
One way that Moon tries to deconstruct the 1950s rock genre is through the inclusion of female instrumentalists. Moon values the opportunity to showcase talented female musicians and challenge what has traditionally been a male-dominated world.
“Women can play instruments and they can play them f——- well. It drives me mad. I still don’t get why so many genres are predominately male,” said Moon. “I think rock ’n’ roll is very primal, but I don’t think that’s the preserve of men. Rock ’n’ roll is all about freedom.”
The underlying commitment to challenging the status quo is where Moon stays most true to the rock ’n’ roll forbearers. Moon even sees his unconventional dance moves as a path to freedom.
“My girlfriend always said that I was kind of a weird dancer,” Said Moon. “I always did my own thing. I always thought that was the most important thing.”
Willy Moon at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave., between N. 11th and N. 12th streets, (718) 963–3369, www.brooklynbowl.com]. Dec. 8, Midnight, $10.
