After a concert in 2005, the group was spotted by Jérôme Deschamps and Macha Makeïeff, who would later co-produced their first album with Naïve Records. At the same time, they won the Prix Paris Jeunes Talents.
The group was noticed during a concert at the Printemps de Bourges in 2006 and 2007. Jimmy, the first single from their first album Gee Whiz But This is A Lonesome Town (2007), was a success which allowed Moriarty to play at La Cigale. The album sold more than 50,000 copies in a few months and was certified gold a year after its release. The group went on a long tour that took them to Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and England.
In 2008, Moriarty performed at the Soliday festival, Eurockéennes de Belfort, Francofolies de La Rochelle, and Fête de l'Humanité.
The group takes its inspiration from traditional Celtic music, country, and blues.
The group plays around one microphone during their concerts.
En 2008, Moriarty was one of 10 artists nominated for the Constantin prize.
https://moriartyland.net/
Moonshiner
Moriarty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For seventeen long years,
I've spent all my money,
On whiskey and beer,
I go to some hollow,
And sit at my still
And if whiskey don't kill me,
Then I don't know what will,
I go to some bar room,
And drink with my friends,
Where the women can't follow,
And see what I spend,
God bless them pretty women,
I wish they was mine,
Their breath is as sweet as,
The dew on the vine,
Let me eat when I am hungry,
Let me drink when I am dry,
A dollar when I am hard up,
Religion when I die,
The whole world's a bottle,
And life's but a dram,
When the bottle gets empty,
It sure ain't worth a damn.
The lyrics of Moriarty's song "Moonshiner" depict the life and struggles of a moonshiner who has been at it for seventeen years. The moonshiner laments that he has spent all his money on whiskey and beer, highlighting the addictive nature of his trade. He goes to a secluded place, referred to as a "hollow," where he sits at his still and contemplates the potential dangers of his excessive drinking. He muses that if whiskey doesn't kill him, then he doesn't know what will, acknowledging the self-destructive path he is on.
In another scene, the moonshiner finds solace in a barroom with his friends, away from the prying eyes of women. He admires the "pretty women," wishing they were his, and compares their breath to the sweetness of dew on a vine. This imagery showcases his longing for companionship and the beauty he sees in these women, even if he cannot attain it or share it with them fully.
The final stanza of the song takes a more philosophical turn, reflecting on the broader meaning of life and its fleeting pleasures. The moonshiner asks for the simple joys of eating when he's hungry, drinking when he's thirsty, and having a dollar when he's in need. He mentions religion as a comfort in the face of death, hinting at a desire for redemption or solace in the afterlife. Finally, he metaphorically perceives the whole world as a bottle and life as a dram, emphasizing the transitory nature of existence. When the bottle (symbolizing life) is empty, it becomes worthless, underscoring a sense of nihilistic resignation.
Overall, "Moonshiner" portrays a moonshiner's troubled existence, plagued by addiction, isolation, and longing, while also contemplating the broader existential questions of life's meaning and worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a moonshiner,
I have spent a long time making and selling illegal moonshine.
For seventeen long years,
I have dedicated this significant portion of my life to this activity.
I've spent all my money,
I have used up all my funds.
On whiskey and beer,
Primarily on alcoholic beverages.
I go to some hollow,
I seek out remote places.
And sit at my still
Where I operate my moonshine distillation equipment.
And if whiskey don't kill me,
If the excessive consumption of whiskey and its consequences do not cause my demise,
Then I don't know what will,
I am unsure about what else might end my life.
I go to some bar room,
I frequent various drinking establishments.
And drink with my friends,
Where I indulge in alcohol with my companions.
Where the women can't follow,
Where women are not allowed or choose not to join us.
And see what I spend,
They witness the money I squander.
God bless them pretty women,
May God bestow blessings upon these attractive ladies.
I wish they was mine,
I desire to have them as my own.
Their breath is as sweet as,
The scent of their breath is as pleasant and refreshing as
The dew on the vine,
The moisture found on a grapevine early in the morning.
Let me eat when I am hungry,
Allow me to consume food when I am in need of sustenance.
Let me drink when I am dry,
Permit me to have a drink when I am lacking hydration.
A dollar when I am hard up,
When I am in financial difficulty, provide me with a dollar.
Religion when I die,
When I pass away, may I find solace in religious beliefs.
The whole world's a bottle,
The entirety of the world can be likened to a bottle.
And life's but a dram,
Life is nothing more than a small measure of spirits.
When the bottle gets empty,
Once the bottle is drained of its contents,
It sure ain't worth a damn.
It becomes completely worthless.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sebastianverolme
C'est tellement formidable !!! Quel voie quel son !!!! Du bonheur a chaque fois !!!!
@tomraw4893
A very special song, beautiful voice, unique establishing instruments, then the solo guitar traditional lead in. Love from Australia
@sarahhubbard4659
Je tombe dessus par hasard j'écoute c'est toujours de la tuerie bravo
@sarahhubbard4659
Trop trop bien
@boomblooba
God her voice is so unique. So special
@keysofthekingdomholybible
Fantastic.
@johnmartinez3543
Really brilliant take on an old classic. I probably just listened to this 20 times in a row and it captivates me more with every iteration.
@parmasampa1
I loved the vocals and this vintage footprint, the timbres enchant me and make me feel like I'm in front of the Moriarty Band enjoying every second of music. I would like the music circuits to bring to other states of Brazil bands that have remarkable personality and an admirable sonority as is the case of Moriarty.
@ludovic4902
J'adore!!!!
@williamsmedley1910
Fantastic! Well done!