Moonface

Moonface originated in 2010 when Montreal multi-instrumentalist Spencer Krug launched it as a solo vehicle amid his already packed schedule. At the time Krug was most widely recognized for his roles as pianist, singer, and chief songwriter in the indie groups Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown, though he had also performed with Frog Eyes, Swan Lake, Fifths of Seven, and additional projects. Through Moonface he channeled the dark pop and melodic explorations that fell outside the scope of his band-based work. The resulting recordings tended toward moody, atmospheric textures while remaining emotionally direct, sincere, and laced with understated humor; the project reached a high point with the 2013 release Julia with Blue Jeans On and the 2016 album My Best Human Face, the latter made in tandem with Siinai.

The first Moonface material appeared on the 2010 Jagjaguwar EP Dreamland: Marimba & Shit-Drums, followed in 2011 by the full-length Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped. Heartbreaking Bravery, issued in 2012, became the second album, with Julia with Blue Jeans On arriving the next year. That same year Krug settled in Finland and cut the record alongside Helsinki ensemble Siinai, whose prior European tour with Wolf Parade dated to 2009. On the sessions Krug handled vocals and keyboards while Siinai expanded the atmospheric arrangements. He remained in Finland through 2014, laying down the tracks that formed the City Wrecker EP before returning to Canada. In 2016 he reunited with the Finnish group for the full-length My Best Human Face. Two years later Krug issued the concept album This One's for the Dancer & This One's for the Dancer's Bouquet, assembled from material originally intended for two separate projects spanning seven years. Accompanying press statements declared the record Moonface’s final outing, with all subsequent solo work to appear under Krug’s own name.