Moon Construction Kit is the one-man project of Olivier Cornu, a musician and songwriter exploring the intersection of alternative pop, synthpop, cinematic textures, and late 60s influences.
With a fascination for timeless, otherworldly aesthetics, his music blends dreamy harmonies and immersive soundscapes, creating a universe where the past and future collide.
In 2022, Moon Construction Kit debuted with a six-track EP, introducing a unique sonic identity rooted in retro-futuristic atmospheres.
With his single, “Long John Silver,” out now, we took some time to hear from Moon Construction Kit. Read below to learn more about Moon Construction Kit, the story behind his single, and what’s to come.
Hi Moon Construction Kit! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
I’ve always had a strong interest in everything retro-futuristic, from art to movies, and looking back, I think that played a big part in choosing my music project’s name. I also liked the fact that the moon is such a simple, iconic shape . . . there’s a bit of humor in that too. Humor plays a huge role in my life, so the name just made total sense to me.
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, and I still live here. I really appreciate living in a relatively small town . . . in a small country too.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I became obsessed with music as a teenager and naturally ended up joining a band. Later, I left the band and live music behind, but continued recording on my own, gradually learning the basics of production and mixing. In 2020–2021, I realized that making music and keeping it to myself didn’t make sense anymore. 🙂 That’s when I decided to record and produce my first EP, Moon Construction Kit, in 2022.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Absolutely. As a child, we had a very imposing concert piano at home. I was fascinated and at first, a little scared of it. But over time, I felt it was too beautiful not to be played, even if I had no formal musical training. There were classical sheet music books at home, and with the help of a beginner’s piano book, I slowly started learning how to read music. I played very slowly at first, the notes were right, but I had no concept of rhythm! Later, when I started playing indie rock, what really defined me was a love for melody and harmony, even in noisy music. I especially love chord changes that are unexpected in a pop context. I enjoy being surprised.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
It’s a mix of indie rock and pop, psychedelic pop, and synth-pop. You can also add some late ’60s pop influences, think The Beach Boys from 1965 to 1972, and cinematic elements as well.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I’m a huge fan of ’70s horror and sci-fi movies. But honestly, music is my main passion. I love discovering new sounds and rediscovering older bands or musical eras.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My number one influence is The Beach Boys, my all-time favorite band. Massive influence. When I was younger, I also listened a lot to The Pixies, The Buzzcocks, and Pavement. All of them shaped my sound in one way or another.
What are some of your future music career goals?
One main goal: to gain and keep credibility as an artist. It might sound vague, but it’s very clear to me. These days, releasing music is easier than ever, but existing as an artist, truly being seen and heard, is still a real challenge.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
After years of procrastination, definitely the moment that I finally decided to release my EP in 2022. It took a lot out of me, physically and mentally, but I’m still very proud of that first step.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Don’t take things personally: you simply can’t please everyone. After my first release, I felt emotionally drained. It took a while to get back into creating, but now I’m 100% focused on writing and producing regularly. That’s what drives me the most.
Now onto your release, ‘Long John Silver.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘Long John Silver’ about?
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of duality and complex personalities or environments. The original inspiration for ‘Long John Silver’ was actually visual, as is often the case for my songs. I had this 1950s Technicolor image of the Italian Riviera, but set in a retro-futuristic world. That led me to think of Treasure Island, childhood memories, and the strange mix of fear and fascination that I felt toward the character of Long John Silver. That ‘persona’ fit perfectly with the song’s themes of ambition and dual identity. There are also some quirky personal references in the lyrics: I love adding those. 😉
What is your favorite lyric in ‘Long John Silver’ and why?
‘I am an exec on the Board now, carbon neutral mi corazón.’
I really enjoyed singing that line. The words resonate with me on multiple levels.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Long John Silver?’
If I can trigger any kind of emotional response, I’ll be the happiest person. That’s exactly what I look for in music myself. And if people also feel that my music is authentic, I’ll be even happier, maybe ready to retire! 🙂
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Right now, I’m finishing up vocal recordings for the follow-up single to ‘Long John Silver.’ It should be out very soon. The main goal this year is to release my first full album!
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/moon_construction_kit/
https://soundcloud.com/moonconsructionkit
Before you go, let’s ask you something random. What is your favorite sci-fi movie and why?
Definitely Logan’s Run. The story, the acting, the visuals, everything is perfect . . . and the outfits! I love those pajamas.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
