An Interview with Leon Masko-Moreno
ABOUT THE WRITERS
Alden Nagel is the founder and editor of Nut Hole Publishing, and also a writer. You can find him on Instagram. His debut novella FAG SYMPHONY is out now, via Nut Hole Publishing. He has an upcoming novella entitled Salination Mountains, and a paired novel entitled The Desalinated Exosphere.
Leon Masko-Moreno is a San Francisco-based musician, bandleader, visual artist, and an animator. You can find him on Instagram.
Alden Nagel: How has life been treating you lately in San Francisco since your recent move down there?
Leon Masko-Moreno: It’s been great.
Alden Nagel: We both attended The Evergreen State College. We were roommates with Braden Thompson, to be specific. What are some of your favorite memories while you were there?
Leon Masko-Moreno: My favorite memories include playing pickup basketball with my friend Henri and some of the Japanese exchange students every Thursday.
Alden Nagel: What’s your favorite fictional character whose first name is also Leon? There are many to choose from.
Leon Masko-Moreno: Definitely Leon from Curb Your Enthusiasm, although it's pronounced differently.
Alden Nagel: What are both of your bands (wizardcrime & slinger) doing currently?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I’m in two bands right now, slinger and wizardcrime. They are both very much emo-influenced. Its been a lot of fun getting to play with different cool local bands & in different venues in the Bay Area. wizardcrime has an EP out on streaming services (below) and slinger has an EP coming soon.
Alden Nagel: What are some of your favorite albums of all time, or those that have have the biggest influence on you?
Leon Masko-Moreno: The album that has the biggest influence on the music I make is Anorak’s self-titled album. That album really made me want to start a band and play twinkly emo rock. Some other favorites of mine are the Algernon Cadwalladers’ self-titled album, and Transatlanticism by Death Cab For Cutie.
Alden Nagel: What are some of your favorite movies?
Leon Masko-Moreno: A couple of my favorites are The Boat That Rocked, Basquiat (the biopic with Jeffery Wright), Bunny and the Bull, Rushmore, and 20th Century Women.
Alden Nagel: Since leaving The Evergreen State College, how is your time working with animation going?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I just did an animation music video for a local Bay Area band Colonel Macabre for their album—coming out soon!
Alden Nagel: How would you feel about your music being remixed by others?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I think it'd be sick.
Alden Nagel: What do you look for in a recording studio producer?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I'm not really sure yet; I haven't had that many opportunities to record in a full recording studio. But I would say, just being open to not doing things in a super traditional way. Just to listen to the artist.
Alden Nagel: What makes you trust an opening act at a show if you’ve never listened to them or met them before?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I'm always open to seeing an opening band. Especially if I really respect the headliner, and I know they had something to do with choosing them, whoever they are.
Alden Nagel: Would you mind to recommend Nut Hole Publishing’s readership a single book, whatever it might be?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I recently read Carrie Brownstein's book Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl and really enjoyed it.
Alden Nagel: Are you more of a cat or a dog person? Or, something else?
Leon Masko: Cats for sure.
Alden Nagel: What do you choose to pay attention to out in the world, even if it doesn’t affect you personally?
Leon Masko-Moreno: I try to pay attention to what feels productive.
Alden Nagel: Do you feel like you’re still inherently the same person you were when you were younger?
Leon Masko-Moreno: It's hard to say, but I hope so.