Caleb Moore by no means thought he’d launch “Comeback Child.” However in a warmly-lit townhouse above a clothes retailer in Manhattan Friday (Could 16), a crowd cheered and whistled so loudly for the tune’s music video that applause for that night time’s historic Knicks victory, hours later, paled as compared.
The “Comeback Child” video launch social gathering on the second ground of Lingua Franca felt like summertime’s grand entrance, full with chilled wine and beers, smoke breaks on the balcony, dwell music and a film projector for the principle occasion. A crowd of about 50 shut buddies, household and trade colleagues — together with actor Billy Crudup, designer Cynthia Rowley and comic Dan Toomey — dotted sofas and stood or sat cross-legged round Moore, son of actress Julianne Moore and director Bart Freundlich, who appears to maneuver together with his personal gravitational pull.
Caleb Moore performs at his “Comeback Child” video launch social gathering in NYC on Could 16, 2025.
Tania Veltchev
Along with his guitar on his knee, the 27-year-old various R&B artist — who not too long ago launched his debut EP, Doing Higher, and opened for Barry Can’t Swim on the Surf Lodge — delivered a uncooked, acoustic efficiency to kick off the night time.
Moore began with “Paranoia,” his first launch of 2025, adopted by his March single “Unhealthy Man,” a harmonious collaboration with NYC indie-pop artist India Thieriot, who joined Moore on the mic to carry out it collectively for the primary time. Commanding the viewers with a gleaming smile, Moore riffed and joked between songs, injecting his set with lightheartedness, laughter and gratitude. The gang sang alongside to “Sunshine,” a fan-favorite at Moore’s native exhibits, and quieted to soak up “Burn It Down,” an unreleased single.
An intimate crowd cheers for Caleb Moore at his “Comeback Child” video launch social gathering in NYC on Could 16, 2025.
Tania Veltchev
Lastly, earlier than screening the “Comeback Child” music video, Moore performed it dwell for the primary time. The tune is a reflective ballad that Moore says comes from the belief that he used to carry a “‘hold your chin up’ perspective virtually to a fault.” Initially, he thought the tune lacked broad enchantment.
“The one you don’t assume anybody will wish to hearken to finally ends up being the one they like one of the best,” Moore mused earlier than settling into the tune’s meditative melody. Moore wrote, produced, combined and mastered “Comeback Child,” which he says is his most stripped down tune but, that includes solely vocals, guitar and bass.
Its video mirrors that vulnerability. Filmed on 35mm in a single steady take, the almost five-minute shot follows Moore by the bustle of Decrease Manhattan within the early morning mild as he sings “Comeback Child” to himself with mounting vigor. Between funds constraints and the rising solar, the crew — directed by NYC filmmaker Giles Perkins — solely had two tries to get the shot proper. Their first take turned the ultimate reduce. As soon as the credit rolled, the room erupted.
Along with his music video formally out on the planet, Moore, a local New Yorker, promptly changed it on the projector with the Knicks recreation and guaranteed everybody that pizza was en route. Moore grew up attending residence video games together with his household — even through the Knicks’ particularly painful shedding years — so not even his personal present was going to cease him from catching the sport. The gang caught round, too, and pleasure for Moore melded with pleasure for the town because the Knicks clinched victory, making it into the Japanese Convention Finals for the primary time since 1999. What an evening for a comeback.