Rob Moose
Rob Moose performing with Ben Folds and yMusic at Duke University in April 2015
Background information
Born1982 (age 41–42)
OriginNew York City
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • arranger
  • producer
  • conductor
  • orchestrator
Instrument(s)
Years active2005–present
Websiterobmoose.com

Rob Moose (born 1982)[1] is an American multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer, conductor, and orchestrator.[2] He primarily plays the violin, viola, and guitar.

Early life and education

Moose was born in 1982.[1] He was raised in Windsor, Connecticut[3] and learned piano and violin at The Hartt School.[4] He attended the Loomis Chaffee School through 10th grade, before moving with his family to Moorestown, New Jersey.[5][4] He completed high school at Moorestown Friends School, graduating in 2000.[5] Moose studied violin at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.[1][5] He began a master's program in American studies at Columbia University, but left to join Antony and the Johnsons on tour in 2005.[1]

Career

Instrumentalist

Moose met Sufjan Stevens in 2004 after being introduced to him by Shara Worden, who was then a member of Stevens' touring band.[6] Moose made his first major contribution in 2005, playing violin on Stevens' album Illinois (2005).[7]

As a violinist, violist, guitarist, and mandolinist, Moose has performed on close to 500 albums, including albums by artists such as Gwen Stefani, Maren Morris, Rufus Wainwright, Alabama Shakes, John Legend, and Joshua Bell.[8] He appeared on the Grammy Award-winning albums High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project (2009) by Loudon Wainwright III and The Suburbs (2010) by Arcade Fire.[2] In addition, he has contributed to Nico Muhly's score for Howards End (2017)[9] and Nicholas Britell's scores for Free State of Jones (2016)[10] and Battle of the Sexes (2017).[11]

Arranger

Moose has worked as a music arranger for records by numerous artists including The Decemberists, Interpol, The National, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Tune-Yards, LeAnn Rimes, They Might Be Giants, Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby, Paul Simon, Sara Bareilles, Punch Brothers,[8][2] Phoebe Bridgers,[12] and Taylor Swift.[13] His relationship with Blake Mills has resulted in collaborations on albums by John Legend, Alabama Shakes, Laura Marling, Jim James, Perfume Genius, Dawes and Jesca Hoop.[8] Moose has also contributed arrangements to classical artists such as Joshua Bell and Renée Fleming,[8] and his work was featured on the Grammy Award-winning album High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project (2009) by Loudon Wainwright III.[14]

Moose has contributed to three benefit albums by Red Hot Organization, including interpreting Johann Sebastian Bach piano works as a duo with mandolinist Chris Thile on Red Hot + Bach (2014).[2] Moose has also been a frequent contributor to Ben Folds' Declassified Series with the National Symphony Orchestra, writing charts for Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, Emily King and Blake Mills.[15][16]

Conducting and performing

In 2007, Moose made his debut as a conductor and orchestrator in a performance with Sufjan Stevens at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House.[17][2] He was the conductor on Antony and the Johnsons' live album Cut the World (2012).[18] He has worked as a conductor at numerous venues, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Royal Opera House.[2] Moose has also conducted orchestras in performance for Anohni, Sufjan Stevens, and Bruce Hornsby.[citation needed] Moose's orchestrations have been performed by Laura Marling and 12 Ensemble,[19] Amos Lee with the Colorado Symphony, and by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.[16]

Moose has toured with Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Beth Orton, Glen Hansard, and Blake Mills, and My Brightest Diamond. He has also played viola in performance with Jay-Z and played violin in performance for Savion Glover, Josh Groban, Vampire Weekend, and Duncan Sheik.[5][2] Recently, Moose served as the musical director for Sara Bareilles' "Amidst the Chaos" tour in 2019.[20]

Production

Moose has worked as a producer on Ben Folds' So There (2015), Gabriel Kahane's The Ambassador (2014), Time for Three's 2014 eponymous debut album, My Brightest Diamond's All Things Will Unwind (2011)[2] The Staves and yMusic's collaborative album The Way Is Read (2017),[21] and Phoebe Bridgers' EP Copycat Killer (2020).[22]

yMusic

Moose is a founding member of the New York sextet chamber ensemble yMusic. Moose formed yMusic with trumpeter CJ Camerieri in Brooklyn in 2008. The ensemble consists of a trumpet, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, and cello.[23] As of 2020, yMusic has released five studio albums.[24] yMusic play classical and pop music compositions and also assist other artists in adding classical elements to their music.[5] After collaborating on Ben Folds' album So There (2015)[25] yMusic joined the "Ben Folds & yMusic" tour in 2015 and 2016, performing in the US,[26] UK[27] and Australia[28] and at the Bonnaroo Music Festival[29] and the Holland Festival.[30] They also collaborated with Swedish singer José González on a 16-date concert tour reimagining original works at venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Beacon Theatre. González described the collaboration as "it feels like it opens us up from sounding energetic and avant-garde to classic and delicate."[31]

Bon Iver

In 2011, Moose joined Bon Iver. He contributed musical arrangements and recorded strings for the group's self-titled second album, Bon Iver (2011).[32][33] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2019.[34] The album won Best Alternative Music Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards, while the band won Best New Artist for their work on it.[35] Moose toured with Bon Iver, including performing four sold-out concerts at Radio City Music Hall and an appearance on Saturday Night Live.[2][36][37] Bon Iver's third studio album, 22, A Million (2016), featured Moose's violin and viola arrangements on "22 (OVER S∞∞N)" and saxophone arrangements by Moose throughout.[38] Moose contributed to the band's fourth studio album, I, I (2019). Moose contributed violin, viola, octave viola, piano, string arrangements, and all "Worm Crew" arrangements. He served as the "Worm Crew" conductor. Moose has songwriting credits on "iMi", "Holyfields,", and "Marion".[39]

Miscellaneous

From 2019 to 2020, Moose contributed musical analysis of popular songs to the Headgum podcast Punch Up the Jam.[40][41][42]

Discography

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions
US
[43] 		US
Alt
[44] 		US
Indie
[45] 		US
Rock
[46]
Copycat Killer (with Phoebe Bridgers)
  • Released: November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20)[47]
  • Label: Dead Oceans
  • Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
 78 9 7 12
Inflorescence
  • Released: August 11, 2023 (2023-08-11)[48]
  • Label: Sony Masterworks
  • Format:
 – – – –

Singles

Title Year Album
"I Bend But Never Break"[49]
(featuring Brittany Howard) 		2023 Inflorescence
"Wasted"[50]
(featuring Phoebe Bridgers)
"Marvel Room"[51]
(featuring Bon Iver)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mishan, Ligaya (November 16, 2015). "The Coravin Proves Rob Moose Is Serious About His Wine". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About Rob Moose". robmoose.com. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  3. ^ Anderson, Stacey (November 21, 2014). "Rob Moose: Breathing New Life Into Classical Music". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Danton, Eric R. (December 11, 2011). "Classical Looks To Pop For New Ideas". Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Rob Moose '00 Wins Two Grammy Awards with Bon Iver". Among Friends (Spring 2012 ed.). Moorestown Friends School. p. 27. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Reed, Ryan (July 1, 2015). "Inside the Recording Sessions for Sufjan Stevens' Illinois". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  7. ^ Illinois (CD). Sufjan Stevens. Asthmatic Kitty Records. 2005. AKR014.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ a b c d "Rob Moose | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Howards End [Original Series Soundtrack] – Nico Muhly". AllMusic. November 13, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  10. ^ Free State of Jones (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (CD). Nicholas Britell. Sony Classical Records. 2016. 88985338572.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Battle of the Sexes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (CD). Nicholas Britell. Sony Classical Records. 2017. 88985483802.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Punisher (liner notes). Phoebe Bridgers. Dead Oceans. 2020. DOC200.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "Rob Moose: Projects". Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project" (PDF). thecharliepooleproject.com.
  15. ^ "An invitation from Ben Folds". The Kennedy Center. November 9, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Rob Moose". New York Philharmonic. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Foster, Patrick (February 6, 2007). "Sufjan Stevens". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  18. ^ Young, Martyn (August 4, 2012). "Antony & The Johnsons – Cut The World". DIY. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  19. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (September 7, 2020). "Prom: Laura Marling review — she felt right at home without an audience". The Times. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Willman, Chris (November 3, 2019). "Concert Review: Sara Bareilles Heats Up Hollywood Bowl With Moving, Empathetic Anthems". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  21. ^ "The Staves, yMusic's New Album, "The Way Is Read," Out Now Digitally, Vinyl December 1". Nonesuch Records Journal. November 24, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  22. ^ Copycat Killer (Vinyl). Phoebe Bridgers & Rob Moose. Dead Oceans. 2020. 656605154510.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Weininger, David (September 27, 2014). "yMusic ignores genre boundaries". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  24. ^ Colter Walls, Seth (February 14, 2020). "yMusic: Ecstatic Science Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  25. ^ Katzif, Mike (September 2, 2015). "Review: Ben Folds, 'So There'". NPR. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ben Folds & yMusic announce 2016 tour dates". BrooklynVegan. December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  27. ^ Johnston, Alex (December 2, 2015). "Ben Folds to tour UK with yMusic". The List. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  28. ^ Hogan, Jil (June 19, 2016). "Ben Folds tours with yMusic". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  29. ^ Paulson, Dave (June 13, 2015). "Ben Folds brings a new sound to Bonnaroo". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  30. ^ "2016 Holland Festival focuses on Europe". Holland.com. April 28, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  31. ^ Minsker, Evan (November 10, 2015). "José González Announces Tour With yMusic". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  32. ^ Bon Iver, Bon Iver (CD booklet). Bon Iver. Jagjaguwar. 2011.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ^ Hermes, Will (May 26, 2011). "Bon Iver". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  34. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  35. ^ Pelly, Jenn (February 12, 2012). "Bon Iver Wins Grammys for Best New Artist, Best Alternative Music Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  36. ^ Snyder, Steven James (September 20, 2012). "Bon Iver in New York: An Indie Group's Moment to Shine". Time. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  37. ^ Martens, Todd (February 5, 2012). "Bon Iver on 'SNL': Indie-pop at its most easy-listening". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  38. ^ 22, A Million (CD booklet). Bon Iver. Jagjaguwar. 2016. JAG300.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ^ Strauss, Matthew (August 8, 2019). "Here Are the Full Credits for Bon Iver's New Album i,i: James Blake, Moses Sumney, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  40. ^ @punchupthejam (December 19, 2019). "the podcast has officially PEAKED" (Tweet). Retrieved April 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ "Punch Up The Jam with Miel Bredouw". Headgum. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  42. ^ "84 – Hotel California PART ONE (w/ Miel's Dad)". HeadGum.
  43. ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  44. ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  45. ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History: US Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  46. ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  47. ^ Shaffer, Claire (November 10, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Announces 'Copycat Killer' EP, Out Later This Month". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  48. ^ DeVille, Chris (April 21, 2023). "Rob Moose Announces Inflorescence EP Feat. Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Brittany Howard, & More". Stereogum. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  49. ^ Grow, Kory (April 21, 2023). "Hear Violinist-Arranger Rob Moose Collaborate With Brittany Howard on Powerful New Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  50. ^ Hussey, Allison (May 12, 2023). "Rob Moose and Phoebe Bridgers Share New Version of "Wasted": Watch the Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  51. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (June 9, 2023). "Rob Moose Explores 'Marvel Room' With Bon Iver's Justin Vernon". Spin. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
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