Staff Picks: Moses Sumney’s “Replaceable”

Los Angeles Times

INDIO, CALIF. – APR. 13, 2013. Moses Sumney, 22, of Los Angeles at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio. (Bethany Mollenkof/Los Angeles Times) FOR FACES GALLERY.

William Clift, Editor

San Bernandino, California native and budding musician Moses Sumney brings to the indie scene a unique set of talents.

After quitting his job as a social media director for California Pizza Kitchen in 2013, Sumney launched a musical career and has since made a name for himself performing alongside Beck, Karen O, and Sufjan Stevens. Sumney’s career up to now consists of a scarce seven songs — his recent EPs Mid-City Island and Seeds — but the 25-year-old’s unparalleled talent shines through in his live performances.

In the video above, the eccentrically-dressed Sumney creates rich, layered music using only his voice, his feet, and a looping pedal.

Starting with percussive sound effects and wordless hums, Sumney slowly builds a complex song before showing off his impressive vocal range with actual lyrics. The performance appears effortless: practiced, yet spontaneous and improvised.

See also: “Everlasting Sigh” performed by Sumney at the Mayan Theatre