A FEW REVIEWS of 'MOONDANCING'
Animal Souls have carved out something special here. Moondancing is bold without being brash, eclectic without being erratic, and tender without slipping into sentimentality. An outstanding statement from a collective that’s only just beginning to show the depth of what it can do.
​Michael Fisher, who leads the project, plays bass and handles production. He’s pulled in players from across the Fraser Valley and beyond, and that collaborative spirit comes through. The arrangements aren’t flashy, but they’re built with care. You can tell there’s trust between the people involved.
MOONDANCING doesn’t shout to be heard—it lures you in gradually. Each track stands on its own but also serves a purpose in the broader narrative. This is late-night music for thinking, feeling, and maybe healing a little too.
​Animal Souls’ latest album “MOONDANCING” is a genre-surfing collection that brings together a crew of talented collaborators under the creative direction of Michael Fisher. With 12 tracks that mix new material, this LP needs your full attention.
INTERVIEWS
RGM INTRODUCING – WE INTERVIEW ANIMAL SOULS
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes I do! A new Animal Souls single ‘The Kids’ is coming out on December 13. I wrote this song back in 1989. Originally I recorded it as a 4-track demo and then many years later I recorded it as part of my 2021 album ‘Wisdom Of Crowds’. Although I was happy with the track, and the album as a whole, a little voice inside me told me I could do it better. The song’s original meaning has faded somewhat over the years, but the song remains very special to me, and my favourite, so I wanted to do it justice. I think perhaps I have this time.
What was the recording process like?
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Recording The Kids took much longer than I expected, over a year in all from start to finish. During that time both my wife Eileen and I lost our moms, so we had a lot to deal with. Somehow I also managed to release a 2-song EP ‘Take Me Home’ (which was my personal way to deal with loss), produce a 5-song debut EP for Cracked Wheat and co-produce another debut EP by singer/songwriter Kaleb Vess. It was an absolutely crazy year! The longest stretch was getting Ava Wolsynuk’s vocals done. With everything going on, I was sitting on the music tracks for awhile, but once I had Ava’s tracks, it was smooth sailing. Ava also sang on the aforementioned EP ‘Take Me Home’.
Artist Interview: “The Kids” by Animal Souls
Who would you most like to collaborate with, if it could be anyone in the world?
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There are a few artists I’d like to collaborate with, but I’ll pick two for now: Peter Gabriel and Iggy Pop.
My wife Eileen used to say that I reminded her of Peter Gabriel, partly my looks (l think) and maybe my music too. The real reason though is that I’ve always been a huge Peter Gabriel fan, from Genesis through his solo career. I lost interest in Genesis after ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ but I love everything he has done in his solo career. I admire the way he transcends genres and the positive messaging in his music.
In my early songwriting days, I imagined writing songs for Iggy Pop. When I heard ‘I’m Bored’ I thought to myself “I can write stuff like that”. I had been an Iggy fan long before that but in my mind I actually thought I could hear singing on my stuff. I think even said to Eileen a few times “hey can’t you hear Iggy singing on this one?” Seriously though, I do have a song in mind for Iggy
In your own words, how would you describe the music that you typically create?
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My personal taste in music is all over the place, just like my own music. I grew up listening to and playing mostly hard rock and progressive rock, bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and the like. But I also enjoy folk rock, and I was big on new wave in the 80’s. That kind of describes my music; a little bit of everything and maybe a little stuck in retro mode.