Edmonton singer-songwriter Daniel Moir describes his first major solo project as "a sort of alternative folk rock with lots of melody and sometimes weirdness." A veteran of the Edmonton music scene, Moir fronted Edmonton's Orange in the Light before the group disbanded in February. Like many great musicians, Moir started playing early. He learned piano from the age of five, followed by drums and guitar. By the age of sixteen, he had already established a name for his band in the Edmonton all ages circuit. Recently, he's been dabbling in banjo, an instrument that fits his evolving, quirky sound. City Spice caught up with Moir to find out more. Q: How does the city or town that you live in influence the music that you play? A: Edmonton has a really neat underground music scene which really doesn't get much attention. There's some really great people that are making really great music which of course influences what I do. I get as much inspiration by going out to the local shows and seeing my friends play as I would listening to a big name like Feist on a record. Q:You're a songwriter alone on a desert island with a tambourine, a singing parrot and a bottle of wine. What's the name of your hit tune? A:"10 Reasons Why I Wish I had More Wine, Featuring Parrot and Tambourine." Q: You've got one minute to perform a song for a dictator that will determine whether he lets you live or die. What will you play and why? A:"Something by Coldplay. Coldplay is bound to make him realize he's just running away from the fact he got no love and hugs from his parents when he was a little boy. Clearly, he would no longer feel the need to kill me. We would have wine together." -Trevor Tessier of City Spice (Travel Alberta) "In an industry full of pushy stage moms, crazy Britneys and pregnant teens, it is truly reassuring to meet musicians who are in the business purely for the music." -Becky Phillips, Youthink Magazine "Songs are straightforward enough to be appreciated by almost everyone, with haunting vocals and filled to the brim with sincerity" -Bryan Britles, Vue Weekly