Dawn Xiana Moon profile picture

Dawn Xiana Moon

Melodic folk pop infused with passion and honesty.

About Me

:: Free MP3s :: DawnXianaMoon.com :: Fun Stuff ::
The Unofficial Bio:
You could say that music is one of my passions, but those words aren't entirely adequate--music is a part of me, one of the ways in which I both express and define myself; for me, home is a piano in a dark room. I've been singing, writing, and playing that instrument for almost my entire life.
But there's a problem with classical training: the ability to improvise doesn't come naturally. You spend so much time learning how to read someone else's music, how to interpret the piece correctly based on compositional style and era that you don't learn how to create the tapestry yourself, no matter how strong the Muse. Enter my freshman year at the University of Michigan and a new instrument: the guitar. I'd wanted to play for years, but when I finally sat down with the strings I found total anarchy--suddenly there were no key signatures on manuscript filled with black dots to guide me: all I had were chords. "But how do I figure out how I'm supposed to strum this?" "Just do what seems to fit." What? After my confusion passed, the proverbial new world opened its doors to me. Two months later, I performed my first original song.
Now this singer-songwriter thing has consumed a large part of my life, and I'd be happy to have it overwhelm more. I count 80 songs in my catalogue and released a four-song EP in 2004 entitled First Verse (why only four songs? Because studio sessions are expensive). Currently I'm working on my first full-length album, though we haven't yet set a release date, and I recently moved to the wonderful city of Chicago. The rest of my time goes to a "minor" obsession called swing dancing--I've danced in cities around the country and taken workshops and lessons with nationally and internationally respected instructors; writing both articles and creative work (I currently edit the Movies section of RelevantMagazine.com ); freelance graphic/web design; and a bit of modeling. I graduated from the University of Michigan with an AB in English Language & Literature and Theatre & Drama--concentrations considered impractical in the so-called real world, but hey, I haven't hit the real world yet. And I hope I never do.
Click here for free MP3 downloads, to buy the CD, and other fun stuff.
:: Free MP3s :: DawnXianaMoon.com :: Fun Stuff ::

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/5/2005
Band Website: DawnXianaMoon.com
Band Members: Dawn Xiana Moon : piano, guitar, vocals
Booking: dawn&#64dawnxianamoon.com
Influences: Vienna Teng, Over the Rhine, The Juliana Theory, Eva Cassidy, Justin Rosolino, Brandtson, Matt Wertz, Jimmy Eat World, Ella Fitzgerald, Keri Noble, Jars of Clay, Caedmon's Call, Claude Debussy and other classical composers, musical theatre
Sounds Like: "Go the next time you hear she's performing anywhere.... Beautiful music, using a wide variety of styles and layering that showed off her lyrics and simple melodies."
--Bea Furman, Michigan singer-songwriter
"In this day and age of cookie cutter 'American Idol' music, where the emphases are on the next big hit, it is refreshing to find someone that brings passion and feeling back to their music."
--Blogcritics.org
"An incredible, young Chinese-American performer, composer, dancer, and a model.... Her music captivated us from the first note we heard. She is amazing!"
--Aryst Kirsch, Owner of Cafe Mud
"Beautiful songs and a beautiful voice."
--Beth Stalker, Detroit Music Award winner
Record Label: DreamLoud Records
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday!...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:33:00 PST

The Demise of Sigmund

Poor Sigmund, he met an untimely end. He stood near the campus of Northwestern University, and his middle ball was pulled from his body--probably by an undergraduate. And his carrot nose was stolen.T...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:32:00 PST

Another Reason to Hate Windows Vista

In an acronym: WGA. My laptop came directly from Dell with the OS pre-installed, and it's validated itself as "Genuine Windows Vista" before. But one day--probably after updating, or failing to update...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:31:00 PST

Encores

Performing in cafes you don’t ever expect your audience to demand an encore, but last week at the Heartland Cafe I played for a fantastic crowd that wouldn’t allow me to leave the stage. T...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:56:00 PST

Tidbits

It may be due to the fact that I'm an English geek, but the SPOGG (Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar) blog is rather amusing. March 4th this year is National Grammar Day--the first one, I beli...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:39:00 PST

Happy Chinese New Year!

Thanks to U! for the fabulous drawing, which he sent me as a greeting card (if you're wondering, it's the Year of the Rat). Have a fantastic year, filled with lots of friends, music, and real Chinese ...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:37:00 PST

"The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls."

The last two weeks of The Daily Show provided some interesting commentary on not just American politics, but the media. Take, for example, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's "escalating war of words"-...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:34:00 PST

The Daily Show Back on the Air

I'll admit it: I've missed having The Daily Show on the air. Yes, Jon Stewart is back in the middle of the writers' strike, but he and Colbert held out longer than Leno, Letterman, or O'Brien. I admir...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:34:00 PST

A Snowman

Last night I did something I haven't done in years. I built a snowman.It was 9:30pm when Bryan called with the idea. Two hours, homemade hot chocolate and cider later, Sigmund was born.The next aftern...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:42:00 PST

London Highlights

..>Waking up before anyone else in my family on Monday morning (a rare moment, I know) and sitting in a wonderful café reading Time Out London, sipping a latte, and eating salmon and spinach quiche. T...
Posted by Dawn Xiana Moon on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:41:00 PST