KEXP Suggests: Moby at the Seattle Public Library 6/23

From his hardcore punk days to being called one of the most "important dance music figures" by AllMusic, Richard Melville Hall has led an interesting life under the moniker Moby. This Thursday, June 23rd, he'll be reading and signing from his new memoir, Porcelain, at the downtown branch of the Seattle Public Library. Anyone who's read Moby's blog or the liner notes of his albums knows he's a great writer (perhaps the influence of his great-great-great-grand uncle Herman Melville). Porcelain has been described as a "love letter to New York in the ’90s," back when the city was filthy, violent, and rampant with drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, here comes Moby, a "skinny white kid from Connecticut" who's a devout Christian, vegan, and teetotaler. Porcelain captures the decade he spent rising from the underground clubs, landing a surprise hit single with 1991's "Go," and being catapulted into the unfamiliar world of fame. By the mid-'90s, he's abandoned all his original beliefs, descending into hedonism. He closes at the end of the '90s, before he even releases his Grammy-nominated platinum album Play. (Leaving room for a sequel, perhaps?) Porcelain is an unflinching, honest, and often funny, look at his journey from rags to riches.

Moby will be reading from the book starting at 7:00 PM, with a signing to follow. This event is free and all ages. In the meanwhile, check out a rare acoustic performance from Moby in the KEXP studios back in 2009, featuring vocals from Inyang Bassey.