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Chelsea Light Moving: A New Song, Inspired By Chocolate

After nearly 40 years in music, Thurston Moore can still find inspiration in the unexpected — like a candy-bar wrapper.

The Sonic Youth veteran and his bandmates in Chelsea Light Moving had been jamming off-air in the KEXP studios. When they stepped outside to get some fresh air, KEXP's DJ Sharlese followed, offering them some of her chocolate bar. At first, Moore politely declined, but as the candy got eaten away, piece by piece, a poem (John Donne's "The Ecstasy") was revealed underneath, printed on the candy wrapper.

"Can I have that?" he asked, and the next thing we knew, he was sprinting back into the studio, taping the tattered wrapper to a mic stand, and belting out his own version of the poem against discordant guitar chords. Who knew a sweet treat would become a KEXP exclusive by Chelsea Light Moving?

Watch the rest of the session — including two songs from Chelsea Light Moving's debut album and another original composition written on the spot at KEXP — on KEXP's YouTube channel.

Personnel

  • Thurston Moore (guitar/vocals)
  • Keith Wood (guitar)
  • Samara Lubelski (bass)
  • John Moloney (drums)
  • Credits

  • Audio Engineer: Jackson Long
  • Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Justin Wilmore & Scott Holpainen
  • Editor: Scott Holpainen
  • Copyright 2021 KEXP. To see more, visit .

    Kevin Cole