Betty Moon- Known for her sultry voice, rock n’ roll attitude and visionary appeal Betty Moon has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine.
Interview conducted on September 02, 2020
By Dan Locke
Betty Moon is known for her previous success as a major label artist in Canada and has been living in Los Angeles for the past 10 years releasing music under her own Evolver Music label. She has been featured by Huffington Post, Alternative Nation, LA Times, Stencil, Exclaim! Side Stage, Spill, Tattoo.com etc.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Toronto and raised by an entrepreneurial and creative family. At a young age I was surrounded by music, musicians and even a recording studio as part of the family property. As you may guess, I choose the route of music at an age where most kids are still hanging out on the playground. It was a part of my blood and I started my first band that did quite well in my teens.
How did you discover music?
Through my family, I was introduced to it through my father and many family friends. My town had many record shops and places to see music locally and I really enjoyed taking it all in.
How did you start to write music?
I started professionally as a singer and the talent was something I built up over many years of practicing. I was surrounded by many other musicians that would help me bring the ideas to life. As far as other instruments go, I learned over time as I would pick up a guitar here, a piano there and just figured it out over time.
You were born in Toronto. How did you come to LA?
I would visit Los Angeles often in my early teenage years and fell in love with it. I knew I’d eventually call it my home one day and was able to buy a condo in Hollywood on Laurel Avenue when I was in my early twenties. I would visit regularly when it was vacant as often as possible but didn’t want to leave my friends and family. I was happy to move here just over 10 years ago and now call it my home. I also have duo citizenship and still love Canada but home is where the heart is and my heart has always been here in Los Angeles.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I was given my first acoustic guitar as a gift from one of my first boyfriends. I first learned Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young’s songs, some of which I still play until this day. I try to practice every day and write on my acoustic as often as possible.
What was your first performance like?
Super awkward of course in a band with my brother, just like public speaking or standing in front of the class it’s a band aid you have to rip off. It just takes doing shows over and over to get your flow going and stage presence dialed in. Thankfully I soaked in a lot of what my idols were doing in the 80’s and I learned to rock the stage pretty quickly. I don’t remember too much specifically from the first show, but emotionally I do. It’s a thrill and even though performing can be intimidating, I haven’t met anyone who has regretted taking those first steps.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I was in a silly band that did Black Sabbath covers and the first song I wrote was called Mechanical Thinker. My teenage rock band thought I was quirky and strange and hated that I wanted to cover U2 songs at the time. I had them on cassette and no one in the band had even heard of them. But I would consider songs like “One Kiss” to be my best of the original music I wrote professionally. I had a lot of songs during the Bambi years but I mainly handled the lyrics on that, but when I went solo, I handled most of the writing.
How did you start your band?
For my solo material it was mainly through the network of friends and musicians I knew in Toronto. I had a major label recently locked and needed to put together a band with the best people possible. It took a bit of vetting, but for my first album and those after I had quite a few incredible musicians that acted as my band through the years.
How was it to be on a Grammy ballot four times in 2019?
It was an absolute honor, just being associated was pretty damn cool and I didn’t take it for granted. It’s a competitive space and even being in that space is a sign that you’re doing something right.
How did you get your first record deal?
I was hustling my music as a teenager in my band Bambi and managed to sell thousands of CDs on my own. That attracted A&R from major labels to see what all the fuss was about. My manager Gerry Young shopped my demo and secured the deal with A&M Records which was the best label to be on at the time.
Why did you decide to start your own label – Evolver Music?
The frustrations many artists feel with major labels became a reality of mine. After another label disappointment set in, I decided to take things into my own hands and built a label and company that would best serve my needs.
Your music has been featured in a variety of film and television show. Do you remember the first time you heard your music on one of these medias?
Yes, it was for a great independent movie and I remember getting that call and being thrilled at the opportunity. My friend Reid Shane made the connection on set when he was working on Last Gasp starring Robert Patrick. I was thrilled to become part of it. When the movie dropped, I got an advance copy and loved how they placed my song in the film. There’s definitely a different feeling hearing your own music in a film compared to hearing anything else. It makes you appreciate the process since you feel that vested interest.
How were the Grammys?
An absolute blast and honor of course. I had a couple wonderful dresses picked out and in hindsight that was one of the last big events I attended before lockdown. It’s a bit surreal that nobody saw it coming, but am thankful I got to attend one of the most important music events in the world this year.
How was it to be named as one of the top 10 Women of Rock and Roll on Wonderlist?
That was pretty cool, I’m not sure how these people choose the top candidates but clearly, they have great taste haha. I do my best to make music for all the right reasons while still marketing myself the right way. I’m glad it works and features like this are a testament to the hard work.
Tell me about your new album Little Miss Hollywood which came out July 31st?
Little Miss Hollywood is my first full length since last year’s ‘Hellucination’ release. I’ve been writing like crazy over the past year or two so I have more material than I know what to do with! When the social distancing thing started, I used it as a reason to take more time on the next release and put a lot of time into producing, mixing, and making these songs amazing. The name of the album points to a story that is a mix of fact and fiction about my life in Hollywood. There’s a bit of mystique about the people that live and party like there’s no tomorrow in the area, and I wanted to give people a creative glimpse into the world.
“Don’t Stop Now” would be my current favorite. If you ask any musician, we all agree that favorites on albums tend to change depending on the day, week or mood. Anyhow, the riff on this song is arena worthy and gets you going. That’s all I really want from my listeners anyhow, to enjoy it and take in all the energy.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I don’t tour as much these days, but I work out multiple days a week and am very mindful about what I eat. We only have this body to rock out in so I want to take extra good care of it. 😉
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I love it, it’s so much easier to keep my collection and music discovery habits sorted in one place. Collecting physical product was expensive, and limited what you could have and listen to. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good vinyl or CD when I get a chance to pick one up though.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Digital all the way, live in the now!
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
I’m all about it, freedom of speech is so important and we need to stand for what’s important in all topics including social and basic human rights.
What is the mental health situation of the United States? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
I’d probably say the mindset is a bit frazzled across the board. People weren’t prepared for this but we’re doing the best we can. I’d say a super simple thing people could do is just wear a damn mask. Whether you think it’s a farce or the real deal, I honestly think wearing a mask will help get this thing over with quicker.
Do you think kids should go back to school this fall?
Honestly, I don’t know. That’s probably one of the touchiest subjects out there right now. I defer to the experts to keep our kids safe. I’ll leave it at that.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
“Sound” because music is all that matters. I like to get lost in positive music that makes you appreciate life and a great time.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Well, the touring side has been obliterated for now and the concert promoters must be twiddling their thumbs or freaking out. Unless this gets better soon the virtual thing and drive-in shows will be a new norm for a while. I’m not as thrilled about this version of “live music”. Yawn. But hey it’s something and if artists can make a living somehow on it then I’m all about it. Fans need their music too, so we’ll take what we can get!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Basically, a lot of real estate investing, fitness regimens, and writing/playing music daily. I’m thankfully busy and know how to be pretty constructive with my time. I’ve been managing multiple properties throughout the west side, Malibu, and the valley, but I never lose sight of my creative soul.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Honestly, not really. I like the hobbies I have now and have just amplified those 110%
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
HULU, Youtube, and Netflix. I mean, there are so many out there but I stick with those three for sure.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Was the EP Translucent a quarantine remedy?
Absolutely, between the EP and LP making the efforts was my therapy. I’m not a huge fan of making live streams so I do what I feel most comfortable doing. I also wrote a book during that time. Keeping it in my back pocket for now until I plan on a good time to release it. It’s full of lots of dramas, interesting tidbits of relationship experiences, exposes lots in the music industry and will be a truly fun read for some one day.
Live Nation just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
As long as they pay the artist fairly and it’s open to artists of all types/levels then yes. I don’t know much about this Live Nation streaming effort, so we’ll see. I know they, along with most touring artists, lost their way of making income so it’s a bit scary for them. We all have to do what we have to do to make it work.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
I don’t think smaller bands are going to be back in those bars and small clubs for at least another year. I’m not sure what these artists are going to do, but it’s pretty scary for sure. I hope sites like Bandcamp and Youtube figure out ways to help artists better monetize their art quickly and efficiently.
With the virus affecting all types of businesses. And with many music halls not going to be able to re-open what do you feel would be the next step for a beginning band to look for a place to play?
Maybe outdoor venues with socially distanced crowds in boxes, VIP style? Sure, it may be more expensive, but we need to support the arts and give music fans opportunities to see live music again.
In addition, at the present time for a band to go on tour from one state to another they may need to self-quarantine for 14 days. How is that going to work?
Well, honestly, I don’t think that’s sustainable and probably won’t happen during the pandemic. I know enough experts who have said it just isn’t worth it. Artists would lose money and only those who have a lot of time and extra money can do that. Even they will think it’s a waste of time.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
Eh, not completely the end but for the most part yes. Nobody wants that level of liability, and the music industry knows better.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be pretty cool, where do I sign up? I loved hearing about that Tupac Hologram at Coachella and ideas for other icons. Bringing that home would be unique, but probably expensive and would require a ton of yet to be available equipment.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Doing what I love of course, making music and putting out amazing albums. I do what I enjoy the most, and am thankful I’m in that position for the long haul.
Thanks for taking the time to pull all these questions together! Please check out my new LP ‘Little Miss Hollywood’ and check me out on my social/web channels below. Cheers, thanks for having me and all the best to you!
Past story of Betty Moon on Unrated Magazine
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