Respawning with Half Moon Bay
words by Isabel Padilla || photography by Spencer Middleton
Visual project “FOREST,” by artist Half Moon Bay, takes us through a visual representation of his first EP ((Koi)), released in 2019. Featuring the track “Forest.Drip” from the EP, Half Moon Bay notes “I understand the ((Koi)) EP as a translated score from flights through higher realms”. The musician explores what it means to navigate transitional periods of life as a young black artist, while finding a soul’s purpose through challenges. A year later, this EP has manifested itself into a filmic journey that works to translate these experiences of love and life through the lens of reincarnation.
Working with director and writer, Jocelyn Woods, the collaboration between these two creatives depicts a modern interpretation of the philosophy of Karma. Joce writes of the project: “It’s an ode, an anime, the voice in your head that wonders if love can be forever.” Like a breath of fresh air, the short film bridges together human relationships with earthly connection. The work centers around the nature, properties of rejuvenation and prosperity found in their environment parallel the beautiful qualities of love. In contrast, joce and Med do not shy away from depicting the pains of betrayal, as we see the two individuals drift apart and get hurt at the end.
Contextualized in a video game, the story of these two brings the spiritual ideals of Karma and reincarnation into a modern understanding. The ability to “respawn” presents itself to Half Moon Bay when he dies in the game, as a way to re-experience his relationship and work through moments of doubt and insecurity. “I know there are worlds of people who can relate to the experience of trying their best many times just to meet an undesired result again. FOREST itself is my result of choosing ‘new game’ ((just like HMB))”, explains Med.
“It’s an ode, an anime, the voice in your head that wonders if love can be forever.”
Watching this video, I think it is safe to say, be prepared for some self reflection. While joce’s videography lends itself to a surreal and calming mood, the undertones of sadness and hopefulness take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Keep reading for our full interview with artist, Half Moon Bay, on this jaw-dropping project.
While inspiring, there is an undertone of sadness in this project (at least in my own interpretation), because you’re dealing with love and the concepts of loss and betrayal. What is your response to this, and how do you feel about the topic of loss and love?
HMB: Wow yeah, thanks for catching that! That undertone is definitely there, the hook to Forest says, "wouldn't a lovely feeling come from if we got intimate just one more time" - I originally meant that sexually, but then-after became intrigued by the concept of intimacy and how that can encompass WORLDS. I'd experienced some pretty tough times with my partner prior to the film, and looking back, I'm proud of how we supported each other - though at the time, it felt like we didn't know how to. It almost felt like I wouldn't know when, where or how the next thing would hit me, so that's where the “GAME OVER” and “Respawns” come from. Experiencing such pressure with another person revealed a very special intimacy to me, we were stripped back, but still resilient in love, allowing that to guide us through… and it did. I hope my journey can comfort people through the thick of their darkness, but also provide a north star into deeper wisdom.
How did this collaboration come about? Knowing joce’s work, it’s clear why this would be an amazing project. Did you seek her out, or were there mutual connections between the two of you?
joce and I have been friends for years, but she'd always been busy flying through the cosmos. Everyone would always be like, "Where's joce now? France? New York?" She's always had an enigmatic quality to her. There was a night I was at home on my couch, kinda emo about life, and then out of (pure) nowhere, ((haha)) the WHOLE idea for Forest came to me in a flash… I immediately wrote it all down. Just seeing the scale of the vision, I knew Jocelyn would be the perfect vessel to breathe it all to life. She's such a magician, I’m so grateful for her
The concept of the video game, it’s an interesting way of depicting karma and more of a 21st century interpretation of reincarnation, was this a connection that came from personal experience?
Yes dude, I love anime with everything I am. I grew up playing so many Naruto and Dragon Ball Z video games. It felt like an appropriate medium to execute transitions in a powerful and direct way! I love the visuals of a character on screen, just doing it's thing, meanwhile I'm behind the controller, but I'm also the character. What a trip. We'll definitely see more video game and anime nods in future art.
Are you spiritual? If so, how does this come across in your work?
I'd say I'm pretty spiritual. My personal baseline for spirituality is authentic expression of self, that informs my life and how I move so deeply. At times, it's put me in very complex predicaments, but I've always found it worth it to know that I'm moving with authenticity - even when I'm flawed. You can see my spirit in my lyric choices as well, to say, "you express abundance and fortune" in a sexy song is so Med.
This is more than a music video, it feels like a short film almost, will this project continue on in more parts or was this a one and done deal? Can we look forward to another collaboration/addition to this motion picture series?
FOREST is actually branched from my debut EP, (( Koi )), which was released in 2019… so it’s really the filmic offering to the worlds first explored through that EP. The film has been about a year-long process, and during this time I've made so much more music. After this I think imma move on with my life haha, but definitely more collaborations with joce for lifetimes to come.
Blending the genres of lo-fi hip hop and R&B, your sound lends itself to an ethereal and experimental energy. What would you say has been your favorite/most experiemental song so far?
You nailed it! I think my sound is experimental, but still grounded and familiar in places that feel good. My EP has experiments and new inventions all through it, the most notable being track one, Entropy + Extropy, I designed the vocal process on that and it's sooo fly! Feels like a digital meditation in cyberspace. Additionally, on track seven (Katara), I played with a ballad being sung by a robot, since ballads are known to be emotional and robots are supposed to have no emotion. I'd say the blend was perfectly executed… Katara is a call to protect our planet as well, so layered.
Does the location Half Moon Bay, California have any particular importance to you?
Yeah, Half Moon Bay is actually where I got my name from! I used to go by Black Freckles, but was shedding out of that skin when I first visited Half Moon Bay, California. I went at night time and everything about the vibe there spoke to me. The colors are soft and the atmosphere is hazy and gentle... really feels trippy in the best way.
How has being in LA influenced your development as a musician, reflecting on where you are now and where you hope to go?
LA has been amazing for my development, I've gotten to connect with the most brilliant people here and we all regard each other highly. I've found a sense of home and community here for sure… and I'm happy with where I am now - gorgeous art , genuine love romantically and platonically. Good health and peaceful processes are the highlights of my current era. I'm excited for more travel, greater ease, greater infrastructure and support for HMB, more music and art with brilliant creators - and more Iconic Looks!
Thank you to Half Moon Bay for talking with me and taking me further into the journey of making this motion picture and what it means to “respawn” from life’s tribulations.