The latest episode of musician and activist Moby’s podcast, *Moby Pod*, commemorates the 25th anniversary of his landmark album, *Play*.
This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Masonic Lodge in Los Angeles over two nights. Alongside his co-hosts, Lindsay Hicks and Bagel the dog, Moby shares stories from his life in lower Manhattan prior to the album’s release, detailing the creation of *Play* and how its success transformed his life. The episode features heartfelt discussions as well as acoustic performances, enhanced by live strings, piano, and choir, showcasing several tracks from *Play* and Moby’s broader catalog. Special guest Lady Blackbird joins to perform two songs, “Walk With Me” and “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?”
The recordings took place at the historic Masonic Lodge, located within the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many entertainment icons, including Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, and Chris Cornell, are laid to rest. Built by Freemasons in the late 1920s, the lodge is renowned as one of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues.
Moby remarked, “These two nights at the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge were honestly two of the most special live events I’ve ever done.”
Released in May 1999, *Play* has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, making it the most successful electronic album of all time. It features hits like “Porcelain,” “Natural Blues,” and “Honey.” The Grammy-nominated album is celebrated as one of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” by *Rolling Stone* and was named the #1 album of the year in 1999 by *The Village Voice*’s prestigious *Pazz and Jop* critic’s poll.
Produced by Moby’s production company, Little Walnut, *Moby Pod* premiered in late 2022. The podcast covers a range of topics, including animal rights, climate change, creative expression, and mental health, featuring a diverse array of guests such as Hunter Biden, Lisa Edelstein, Dan Buettner, Peter Kalmus, Steve-O, and Joe Manganiello.