Moriarty is the organizer of Ignite Phoenix. The next Ignite Phoenix is Friday, October 28 at the Virginia G. Piper Theater.
When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? I haven't listened to the radio in years. I stream everything through my car stereo from my iPhone. I don't even think I have any stations programmed!
What's the first album you bought? Oh man, my age is going start showing on this one. My first album was Pink Floyd's The Wall, and I think I wore it out from playing it so much.
What's the first concert you saw? Back in high school I saw ZZ Top. I remember being completely unsure if people could really grow beards like that, or if they were fake.
What's your favorite concert you've ever been to? This is beyond random, but once I ended up with tickets to see Bon Jovi perform in a tiny club here in Phoenix. He was getting ready for a new concert and was doing these secret shows to get back in form. I am not a Bon Jovi fan, but he was just so authentic, and the venue was so small, it ended up being a great time. It reminded me that even famous pop musicians really just love to jam sometimes.
What's the last song played on your music player? "Float On," by Modest Mouse.
Preferred format: CD, vinyl, cassette, 8-Track or digital? Digital, baby! I like getting what I want, when I want.What's your favorite album? I don't think I have one. I listen to so much music by the song, or on digital stations like Pandora, that I don't think I could even name an album anymore.
Who is your favorite singer or band? Freddie Mercury and Queen. They had a range of style, skills and music that I don't think anyone can touch.
Does you computer track how many times you've played something -- if so,
what's at the top of the list? Cake, "Love You Madly". I really had no idea until I looked, and was nervous it was going to be something embarrassing.
What was your favorite new or new-to-you album from 2010? What are these strange 'album' things you keep talking about? I discovered Sigur Ros recently, so lots of tracks from them, but I couldn't name a single actual album they made.
What one song would you play if you had a world-wide radio audience? "Playing for Change," pulled artists together from around the world to collaborate and promote a better understanding through music. I would play their global version of "Stand By Me".
Who is your favorite local artist? Ooo, tough one. Over the past year I've had a big education in how much great local music there is in the Valley. If I had to pick one, I might have to go with Black Carl. Or What Laura Says. Or Dry River Yacht Club. Or Super Stereo. Or...or...I'm not doing this right, am I?
What is your favorite local venue to see music? Would probably have to go with Yucca Tap Room, though now I'm realizing I haven't been there in a while. Will have to correct that.
What is your favorite music video? Nerd alert: OK Go's "This Too Shall Pass". I like OK Go for their endless desire to create and try new and wacky stuff. "This Too Shall Pass" is not just a nice song and fun to watch, but it is so amazingly complex to perform I just have to applaud. They turned geekery into art.
