Following the release of his instrumental album Diamonds, virtuoso pianist Micah McLaurin has released his new single, “MOONS.”

With “MOONS” serving as his debut as a vocalist and pop composer, the track (co-written with Sweden’s Aleena Gibson) derives from Micah’s own journey in discovering the freedom to love and Micah’s past and present coming together on one pop track that features disco-era strings arranged by the legendary Larry Gold. The accompanying music video for the single is as fabulous as you would expect, with a burst of fashion-forward camp looks inspired by the work of queer filmmaker and photographer James Bidgood, directed by Luke Abby alongside creative director and longtime V contributor Nicola Formichetti with choreography by Max Cookward.

“‘MOONS’ was first inspired by my love of disco and how, in the disco era, they used complex harmony and made it accessible and infectious,” says Micah in a statement. “Great chord changes give me butterflies, and I wanted the lyrics to reflect that feeling. I think of the lyrics as escapism, being lifted away from hardships or old baggage, and being in a fantasy world, even if for a short time.”

Below, V caught up with Micah about his origins, the inspiration behind the track, and much more.

V Magazine: Where are you from originally?

Micah McLaurin: I’m from Charleston SC. I grew up there until I was 18, and was homeschooled with my 6 siblings. 

V: Tell us about your background and journey thus far with music.

MM: My grandma plays piano, and when I was 8 years old, she gave us her old piano because she got a new one. So, I then became obsessed after toying around with it and nothing else mattered from then on, all I wanted was to be a great pianist. But after going to conservatories and performing only music by other composers my whole career, I became curious to explore composing, improvising, pop music, and jazz, and to feel more ownership and self-expression in my music. The pandemic gave me the time and opportunity to expand and that’s what lead to where I am today.

V: In what ways are you currently pushing yourself artistically?

MM: I would say I’m following my gut and intuition and learning to say yes to my musical instincts, which is discouraged in classical music. You are taught not to draw attention to yourself or to put too much of yourself in the music, almost being invisible and just a “vessel for the composer’s intentions”. 

V: What was the inspiration behind this song and video?

MM: I was really inspired by The Bee Gees and the disco era, especially the amazing and complex harmonies they had. The music from that period gives me butterflies in my stomach, and that’s a feeling I’ve always chased in music.  

V: What about this particular music video process was new to you?

MM: It was all pretty new since before I really just performed on piano. But a few years before this, I started experimenting with going away from the piano in videos, but this was sort of the first departure. 

V: How would you describe your sartorial style?

MM: My style is inspired by opulence and fantasy, real queens like Queen Elizabeth I, and modern queens like Lady Gaga, Liberace, Marilyn Monroe, and old Hollywood elegance. I love taking inspiration for different periods in history and giving them a modern twist. Kind of the same way I love classical music, but I am also an artist of the present. 

V: We’re reaching the end of this year. What was your 2023 highlight?

MM: The highlight was making my own music and writing songs, and me and my co-writer Aleena looking at one other in the studio hearing the tracks saying, “oh my god, we wrote this!” 

V: How are you envisioning your 2024?

MM: I’m envisioning a sparkly 2024 releasing more of my pop songs, performing live and hopefully collaborate with other artists.