ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Moby's Memoir 'Porcelain' Animated in 9-Minute Video

publication · 2026-05-05

Musician Moby (Richard Melville Hall) has released a simple but effective video to promote his memoir 'Porcelain', published by Penguin Random House. The book covers ten years of his life from 1989 to 1999, describing his rise from poverty to fame and a subsequent crisis. In the video, Moby summarizes his story in nine minutes using hand-drawn marker illustrations, representing himself through his alter ego Little Idiot, a stylized alien with antennas. The memoir recounts his journey as a shy, teetotaler, vegan, devout Catholic from Connecticut who moved to New York to become a famous DJ, playing in transgressive clubs. At the peak of fame, he lost his faith, began drinking, and fell into depression, but then found his voice by recording his breakthrough album 'Play' in his small home studio.

Key facts

  • Moby's memoir 'Porcelain' covers 1989-1999
  • Published by Penguin Random House
  • Promotional video is 9 minutes long
  • Video uses hand-drawn marker illustrations
  • Moby's alter ego is Little Idiot
  • Moby grew up in Connecticut as a teetotaler, vegan, and devout Catholic
  • He moved to New York to become a DJ
  • His breakthrough album 'Play' was recorded in his home studio

Entities

Artists

  • Moby
  • Richard Melville Hall

Institutions

  • Penguin Random House

Locations

  • New York
  • Connecticut

Sources