Moriah Formica Announces All-Girl Band PLUSH “
Interview conducted on March 02, 2021
By Dan Locke
PLUSH is an all-female rock band with a mission––to bring an all-girl rock band back to the forefront of the music industry. PLUSH is composed of four talented musicians, all under the age of 21, whose accomplishments and talent eclipse their age. This female rock force is fronted by singer/guitarist Moriah Formica, drummer Brooke Colucci, lead guitarist Bella Perron and bassist Ashley Suppa.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music at a young age. My father would always have 80’s rock and metal playing in the house or car. I used to sit and watch MTV pop up videos and that Metal Show with him on Saturday morning.
Ashley- How was it to work with Ace Frehley?
I have known Ace for most of my life. Working with him was an incredible experience that really kick-started my desire to actively pursue music. This was my first time in a recording studio, which I am beyond grateful for. I tracked vocals on “A Little Below the Angels” off his album, Anomaly. Ace was a pleasure to work with, he is incredibly personable and easygoing. My dad and I remain close with Ace and it is always refreshing to attend his local shows and say hello.
Brooke- Since the Grammys had called you one of the 7 female drummers to know, have a lot more people discovered you?
It’s hard to say. I get new followers quite often and sometimes I have no idea what has brought them to my page, but I am sure being recognized by the Grammy’s has definitely helped me gain new followers!
Moriah- What was being on The Voice like?
It was a great experience! I got to meet a bunch of great people and musicians. Developed lifelong friends and learned a lot about myself and who I wanted to be. It was a lot of work and a lot of stress but it made me much stronger.
Bella- What was your major at Berklee College of Music?
I’m currently in my first year so I haven’t decided my major yet, but I’m planning on majoring in Professional music.
Do you think shows like The Voice can help new talent?
Yes, I do. It’s extremely hard in this industry to get any exposure so to have a chance to be on TV in front of millions of people is huge. That’s the main benefit…exposure. It’s not like when American Idol started years ago where it was the only music competition on TV. They developed stars. Now, there are so many talent competitions it’s become all about ratings so they aren’t interested in developing stars anymore. So, if anyone wants to go on these shows they should understand that no matter how good they are they aren’t going to be the next Kelly Clarkson, Carrier Underwood or Daughtry. I went into The Voice with a plan on getting exposure and a plan in place on how to capitalize on that exposure. So many contestants go into these shows thinking this is their biggest and only shot and so they have no plan for how to handle their exit. I went into it knowing as a rock artist I wasn’t going to win and really didn’t want to. I just wanted to do the best I could and stay true to who I was as an artist and then take whatever exposure I got and move my career forward as an artist.
How did you form the band?
I had heard about Brooke through friends of mine and checked her out. I was blown away. My dad reached out to her dad and we got together and had instant chemistry. The pandemic then hit and we decided to do a cover of Barracuda. That cover went viral on FB and YouTube and got and enabled me to get a management deal through Surface Management. We then decided to put together an all-female band. Brooke was friends with Ashley and so the three of us got together and jammed and had great chemistry. We just needed a lead guitarist and so my management company put up a post. Lzzy Hale saw that post and shared it on her social media platforms! That’s where Bella saw it and the rest is history!
How did your band get its name?
We were trying to come up with name that would convey our thought that people would initially see our picture and be like oh that’s cute. Pretty girls but I’m sure they can’t play. When in reality we are heavy! So, we thought it would be funny. Plush was mentioned by one of our managers and we loved it.
Tell me about your first single Hate which came out Feb 9th?
It’s a straight up raw rock n roll song. We worked with Grammy nominated producer Johnny K and he really helped dial in the rawness and production. “Hate” is about somebody who broke my heart in a very bad way. I was just so angry and sad, but couldn’t bring myself to actually say ‘I hated you’ to that person, because the truth is I really, really loved that person, and I just hated that I loved them.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I don’t think so. I mean, it killed it during the pandemic but I don’t think has killed it forever. If anything, it’s given the artist another way and platform to reach artists around the world with online streaming shows. That’s what really made this band and all our opportunities possible. Social media performances. So eventually I think we will all get back to real life and go to shows and do everything we’ve done before but we will also have other ways of reaching fans.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Well, that would be hard obviously. However, as I said, online streaming and performing still reach many fans. It’s still live and you can interact with your fanbase. To be honest, the last 10 months have been the most productive months in my career. It’s possible to stay engaged with your fans and gain new ones online.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time. Will this help save the industry?
I think it’s certainly helpful but it’s not going to “save” the industry. Providing benefits will help keep some people afloat and that is really cool. Ultimately the future of the industry will be up to industry professionals, performers and the people (fans).
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a stops licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I didn’t do music, I’d probably be doing something with animals or nature. Maybe I’d be a professional fisherwoman or start my own reptile breeding business.
What is your happy place?
Being around my family, my pets and being in nature.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you very much for the opportunity.
