Carter Kane better known as MOC, his works, performances and more.

    Carter Kane, aka MOC has done much in the local scene of Montreal. From writing bars at the age of 10, playing shows all year long to hosting a weekly radio show called Fluid Mosaic where he interviews local artists of all genres to help promote their music and push the boundaries of a community in the music industry, allowing people to share their ideas, their creative plots and hopefully help build connections between people who delve in muisc through their earphones or during shows. Summer 2025 he hosted FM Fest supported by Les Insoumises , Infamy CJLO and Non-Binary Twins. Artist such as Parallel, Honey Ryan Brio, Dievanse, Resonance, and more have had the opportunity to perform and showcase their talents through three neighboring venues, Casa del Popolo, Sala Rossa and La Sotterenea. This fest was really great because all kind of artist from various genres were playing, allowing for audiences of different taste to come and vibe around the one thing that unites them, music. Back in 2024, Carter Kane also dropped an album called Alice's Withdrawal in Montreal which featured many performers lending a hand each listed in the credits and it also featured great references from the alice in wonderland the cartoon issued in 1951. In fact, all narrative samples heard through out the album come directly from this movie. In fact Carter is a huge fan of Alice, he's got two books of the tale back home, he's watched all sorts of version, from the live action to the cartoon, to the old old hand made movie around 1902/1915. His love for this psyched triped story comes from an artist, many might know, called Jimi Hendrix. As he delved in Jimi Hendrix around cegep times, the vision of Hendrix to unite the world, to distort reality with psychedelics and self introspection led Carter to search his own answers through research, consumation of medias related to drugs or simply 60-70s hippie derived movies and books. With Hendrix, came along Pink Floyd, the band that stirred society left and right with albums such as Dark Side of The Moon, Animals and The Wall. What links all these listed influences is the fact that there is a quest to find one's place in society, to understand one's impact on others and what vision one should have around growth and the role the person can have, good or bad as the person grows into adulthood.

     Alice's Withdrawal in Montreal tackles these issues through Carter's interpretation of his life, his goals and the path he wants to take to grow and fullfill his dreams and visions. Oh and I shouldn't forget to mention that Carter was, of course, a huge fan of 90's hip hop and rap like Nas, 2pac, Wu-tang, NWA, and Biggie to name a few. Alice's Withdrawal in Montreal showcases this love, take for example the song tilted White Rabbit, for a minute, I belived Alice might've lost herself in Brooklyn, having drums and textures and a flow that recalls Notorious BIG in my opinion. The song Redemption features a great story for itself too. MOC was working with friends and he asked someone to pitch one word, the word was redemption. So MOC composed a song based on that word, the music came afterwards, it's as wavy as the path to redemption. We are greeted by smooth noises, then we are thrown down a chaotic woosh, reminding me of Alice going down to Wonderland. Soon after, MOC explains the story of the song, and then, the lofi RnB starts as he spits his story of redemption. Redemption is the song that in my opinion concludes a bit the ride as the narrator has seen struggle, paranoid and bumps along the way but now embraces the journey and accepts that he has change or that he can change. Another key point that got me hooked along the journey of this album what the sudden change from the song Real of Fake to Nociceptors, Real of Fake features the narrator doubting all what surrounds him, a reminder of Alice as she chases the Rabbit down the tunnel and as she walk in Wonderland, she shrinks and everything around her is absurd and confusing. She knows not if she should believe in the Mad Hatter or anyone else she meets in facts. Following up we have Nociceptors, specialized sensory neurons essential the body's pain receptors, where in fact, we mellow down a notch, there is acceptance of the ongoing events by the narrator, yet question comes to the listeners, can we cope with our reality? In whole, this albums contains modern jazzy lofi sounds mixed with hip hop from the nineties and a dynamic singing and screaming from MOC and his friends through verses and choruses. The themes are very grounded and entertaining for the listener. It is very much engage in finding one's path, growing up, going through cycles of habit, breaking them, realizing and thus falling in the same patterns at times. Just like life, the album can be a bit chaotic at times, but overall it's a great ride. 

    Lastly, in August 2025, MOC has released another album titled How Do You Feel. A bit like the game Spiderman on PS4 and it's successor Spideman 2 that came out on PS5, I feel like How Do You Feel has similarity with it's predecessor, yet it's garnished with new ear candies, themes of self growth and maturing are more polished, more face to face. This time, MOC goes all in to help us listeners face our challenges and keep us enlightened. The instrumentals are more assumed, he knew exactly where he was going this time, every note and word has a direction and importance. Collaborations are still a big part of his work and new ones are included and add a breath of fresh air in the compositions too.

    To close this article on MOC and his incredible work, I would like to come back on a show that happened on Saturday 29th November. Alongside Onetype featuring CJ Light, Wisertimes featuring Jordan Eric, Drunkcat, REZANGEL at the 180g. 

    First thing, to get in the context, the 180g is a cafe restaurant where all walls and walking space is filled with Vinyls, Cd's and casettes so music and culture enthusiats can satisfy their hunger and need to discover new stuff. It's got a chill vibe, excellent service and a Tiny Desk look a like feel. Secondly, the place is quite small so the show really felt like an intimate gathering, almost an exclusive event where we spectators got to discover new talents! So as for the performances, I am no Rap God or grand connoisseur so I'll be a bit general all the while trying to get a good picture of it all. à

    Onetype, a man I've known since high school, opened the night. Previous to that, we had the opportunity in the morning to go to Planet Studio with our friend Vic where Onetype got to practice a bit as we down guitar grooves in the studio. Later on, the man recorded videos around Montreal with CJ Light and excellent videographer Citron Photo. Back to the night, Onetype hoped on the mic, spat a couple songs, some produced by Grumpy and some produced by the one and only Motus. Overall, the quality of his songs was satisfying, his flows embraced every note and the crowd stood relaxed, listening to every word, every story told as the performance unfolded. CJ Light helped perform a song yet to be released which got the crowd jumping and hyped. Onetype's style differs a lot from song to song and to get a good idea, I encourage you to go listen to his latest album titled This 4 Us that was produced with the help of Grumpy. 

    Following up was Wisertimes who dropped a couple of produced beats and later on, Jordan joined on the mic and sang some bars. His style can be compared to Kanye's debut where religious ideas are mixed up with the struggles of growing up and the inequalities some face. The overall performance was a bit slower than the opener, but it kept the energy warm, the place was vibing and kept hot. 

    Afterwards was Drunkcat. Their performance blew up the place. Three guys on stage, singing and keeping the crowd hyped. They had us engaged, their flows were diversed and overall, they just sounded very big because they had three singers onstage which added dynamic to their songs. They played another show on December 4th at Hemisphere Gauche with a Live band and once again, they shot right through the roof.

     Next up was Razengel, I sadly got caught up in a discussion outside and had to miss a bit, but from what I heard, it was great and although smoother, it was in a way appreciated because the crowd was a bit tired. 

    Finally we had, MOC, his performance was a great showcase of what he can do when alone as he usually has a live band backing him up. His set encompassed new and older songs and was a great way to exit the night out. MOC is playing December 5th at Petit Campus . Huge thanks for reading and may you all have a great friday night, go see shows, have fun and be careful!