After releasing two previous singles earlier this year ('Steel Shell' and 'Hold On'), indie folk group The Royal Belgian Conspiracy have recently dropped a third single 'The Programming Is Wrong'; all three songs feature on their forthcoming debut album 'Ghosts & Whispers'.
Gorgeous, introspective, meandering indie folk that soothes the soul with a balm of dark textures, emotive strings, and haunting harmonies, it's easy to see why The Royal Belgian Conspiracy – the brainchild of lead singer and songwriter Moozy – have had comparisons to the likes of The Milk Carton Kids, Iron and Wine, and The Lumineers."I wanted to write a song that takes listeners on a ride, with every verse having a different feel whilst remaining true to the melody and mood of the song," Moozy says of 'The Programming Is Wrong'.
"The song is about waking up one day and realising that you are in a very different place to where you thought you would ever be, something akin to waking up inside your dreams and being stuck there."
Who is... The Royal Belgian Conspiracy is the brainchild of lead singer and songwriter Moozy. Moozy trained as a jazz musician, however was always more drawn to indie folk and alt. country music.
Moozy moved to Australia with his family from Belgium as a small child and then grew up in Canberra, and now splits his time between Canberra and Melbourne.
Moozy's father was a one-hit wonder in Belgium with the single 'Savez-Vous Danser Sans Souliers', which translates in English to 'Can You Dance Without Shoes'. 2021 will see The Royal Belgian Conspiracy release several singles off their upcoming debut album 'Ghosts & Whispers'.
We sound like... If you put the following in a blender: The Lumineers, The National, Bon Iver, The Milk Carton Kids, Ryan Adams, Ray La Montagne, Damien Jurado, S. Carey, Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens, and Ben Howard.
My first gig was... I guess it all started busking in the London Underground many moons ago. At first I had no idea what I was doing, but it's where I cut my teeth playing live.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... I came up with the songs and the band name, and then subsequently formed the band. Not quite a logical progression I know.
The origins of the band name derive from my Belgian roots and there being a touch of royalty on Dad's side of the family. The 'Conspiracy' reference was simply added for punch.
In the studio we usually... Make a lot of bad jokes; the more unfunny the joke, the better. It's actually hard to make jokes that are funny because they're so not funny.
If we could tour with anyone... Damien Jurado would be great. Would love to sit and listen to his songs every night. Some of his songs really pierce me.
Social media is... Like your annoying uncle or aunt. It's a love-hate relationship.
My favourite app at the moment is... The AFL app. It's finals time. I am a Sydney Swans tragic.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I squashed my Year 5 school teacher's foot under the table. I thought I was squashing my friend's foot who was sitting on the other side of the table, not the foot of the teacher standing to the side of my desk. The teacher was very unimpressed. Hi Mr Robertson if you're reading! I'm sorry!
Life on the road can be... Boring and slow at times, but overall it's great as there's often something new to keep you engaged and feeling alive.
If you'll have us on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... Infinite gin and tonics.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Busking in the London Underground facing a lot of angry hooligan-type football supporters who didn't look too impressed with my face, my voice and my general existence.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Let's go with Prince Charles. It makes no sense and it would not work so it would be funny to watch.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Brussels, back to where my extended family live and a bit of my heart is.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Keith Richards, Gillian Welsh and Slash. It'd be a fun dinner party. Though as I'm currently in lockdown I'd actually happily settle for mum, dad and my brother. It's been a while since I've seen them.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? My famous pasta. Simple but good, it's a winner. Spaghetti topped with olive oil, lemon juice, slow-cooked cherry tomatoes, fried onion and salami, and a tonne of tabasco sauce. It'll knock your socks off.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover. I will pat your dog and it can sleep on my bed. Yes, I know most people find that gross but there you go.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Chocolate gelato, with a spoon.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... A long time ago in a distant galaxy known as the pre-COVID universe.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Mopping, it's the worst. Give me a vacuum instead any day.
Do you have any phobias... No real phobias, however I hate knowing anything about a movie before I see it. When going to the cinema my friends pick the movie and don't even tell me the title or genre.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? No, I wouldn't last a day. I'm just not made for it.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? My friend Mick. We generally spend most of our friendship launching outrageous mischaracterisations and untrue insults at each other.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? I'm quite partial to some serious gelato overindulging. In particular at a gelato place called Spilt Milk when I'm in Canberra. I have slight addiction issues with their pistachio gelato.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I've had a couple of friends liken me to Jerry Seinfeld because I can be very particular about certain things; for example, where I want to sit in a café or a pub.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Dead To Me'.
