Betty Moon is a Toronto-born singer, songwriter, producer, and filmmaker. Known for her sultry voice, rock n’ roll attitude and visionary appeal, Moon is an always-evolving tour de force.
Interview conducted on June 12, 2020
By Dan Locke
Betty Moon EP ‘Translucent’ that is set for released today June 12, 2020. The soulful, rock/electronic-infused 6 song EP has the single “Did It For Nothing” and Betty Moon is available for email interviews.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in an entrepreneurial type family in Toronto Canada. We had a lot of music around the family and even had a studio on the property growing up. That led me to start my own band when I was only a teenager, and the rest is history.
How did you discover music?
I had some friends and family turn me on to different types of music before the age of 10. I also was lucky enough to be introduced to a couple of local Toronto record stores that opened my mind to all sorts of music genres.
How did you start to write music?
I soaked in every bit of writing and playing ability I could find outside of taking formal music lessons. People are a product of their environment, so I learned to sing by being around other musicians, singers, and listening to great music 24/7.
How did you get your first guitar and do you still have it?
It was gifted to me by a family member but wasn’t anything incredibly unique or valuable. The piano was my first instrument though and I can’t remember not having a piano in the house growing up. I remember being four years old and having an upright in the basement of our Clendenan Avenue house.
What was your first performance like?
Incredibly awkward and terrifying, honestly. You can have all the confidence in the world, but nothing beats just playing a ton of shows until you figure it out. Singing is extremely vulnerable, just like public speaking. You get better with it by practicing and going through the good and bad elements of it. I was in my very first band with my brother on drums. He still makes fun of me, reflecting on situations from our shows until this very day. The shows were pretty funny I have to admit.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Yes, it was “One Kiss” off my original release as a solo artist (Betty Moon). I helped write other songs in my first band Bambi, but when I went off on my own, I wrote dozens of tracks by myself, including “One Kiss” being the first.
How was it to share the stage with Marilyn Manson?
It was incredible, the festival was full of great energy and to be around all these artists of massive status gave me a lot of inspiration. I knew I was doing something right.
How did you get your music featured in multiple television and film projects including Californication, Dexter, Bounty Hunter, and Walking the Dead (2010) Movie?
I and my team pitched music supervisors and production companies often and if you reach out enough, you get lucky sometimes. Also, I would rent my home out to a lot of film/tv projects and I built relationships with those people who in turn sent my music to their supervision team. That stuff is half talent, and the other half just knowing the right people.
How is live music different between Toronto and LA, before the Covid-19 virus?
Well, for one in Toronto there is a fraction of the number of venues, bands, and tours coming through town. It’s much quieter in Toronto, but when you get to the show the energy is equally matched with those in LA. Life in Hollywood is just more spread out, busy and competitive for fans. On any given night (pre-COVID) you may have 40-50 shows going on around town. People can only attend one show at a time!
Let’s talk about your newest EP “Translucent” and the single “Did It For Nothing”? Which just got released. What is your favorite track on the EP?
“Did It For Nothing” is by far my favorite, I think it stands out as a modern track and has a bit of everything a Betty Moon and indie music fan may appreciate.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I actually don’t tour much these days, but I do hit the gym at least 5 days a week and train classes at Equinox for fun. Fitness is critical for a life well-lived, and for staying creative. Lately, I’ve been hitting the pool and swimming pretty much every day for an hour or so.
How were the Grammy’s?
It was a fantastic reason to buy an incredible dress or multiple dresses. That being said, the night was incredible and spent with some of my favorite people. It’s really a high-level event and reason to see others that you know. Perhaps, it’s the music industry equivalent of Prom night?
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I love it, and don’t have time to worry about it otherwise. I’m rolling with the traffic here, and won’t worry about living in the days of CDs and vinyl. I wish streaming paid more, but I think the industry is working on that.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Digital all the way, I only buy vinyl now and then to support other artists.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
I fully support the protesting and BLM movement, it’s important to make a powerful change and sometimes it takes a major event like this to make progress. I’m also excited about Kamala Harris. She’s passionate about change for this country and I am totally behind what she stands for.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
“Liar” is a song off a past album that I was thinking about recently, and I actually redid it completely and included it on ‘Translucent’ as a song called “The Liar”.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
It’s really terrible for live music, and I think most people are still in utter shock about live music being on hold. Since I don’t tour these days, it really hasn’t affected me but I do feel for those who depend on it.
How was your birthday during the virus?
Oh, it was amazing, thank you for asking. I enjoyed spending my 21st birthday at home with some great people. 😉
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Staying fit, writing music, and working on some real estate projects around the Los Angeles area. There’s more than enough to stay busy, even while keeping away from the general public.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve found some time to read some books that were collecting dust on the shelf.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
I won’t be streaming any live shows anytime soon, but plan on doing more music videos and releasing more singles and EPs for 2020.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
Hmm, honestly, I’m not sure. I’m confident things will get back to normal hopefully soon, because nothing beats the in-person experience. You can’t charge the same amount for someone streaming online. The only thing I think works best is taking the “Twitch” and premium experience route, where artists charge X amount for a normal online show but can subscribe or pay an additional amount to receive something others don’t. Creating exclusivity tends to be profitable in most industries.
First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stone talked about it, and finally, Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
I don’t think it will take that long, but it depends if a second or third wave of COVID-19 takes hold on the US. It’s really too soon to tell, but I think the industry is trying to maintain expectations.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
I think it’s too soon to tell, but at the moment it sorts of feels like it right? I feel like people have given up hope and have hung their heads down, looking for something new. It’s still a brief period, though.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
No thanks, that’s creepy.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Staying on top of the leading trends in music, writing great songs, and enjoying life here in Malibu of course. I just want to make some great music and make sure it gets to as many ears as possible. Whether that’s on Spotify, Youtube, Facebook, or whatever medium people prefer at the time.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thanks for taking the time to interview me. I’d appreciate you all listening to the new EP on Spotify or Apple Music!
