Moxi

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Moxi, a husband-wife indie-pop duo from Los Angeles, is built on the dreamy, introspective vocals of Anna Toy set in a cinematic musical landscape composed by Andy Toy.

Interview Conducted on November 30, 2020

By Dan Locke

Moxi. Entitled “Blame It” the track is an abstract and emotional exploration of mental illness and how that can affect a relationship. Drawing on elements of modern pop and 80’s cinema, Moxi presents Anna’s distinct vocals against a backdrop of dark electronic textures, moody guitar sonics and memorable dream pop melodies.

What was your upbringing like?

I (Anna) grew up in Littleton, Colorado. I was a 90’s kid- the last generation that was left to “run wild”. We’d stay out playing till dinner time- it was idyllic in that way. My parents always encouraged my interests. I was in the Colorado children’s chorale for a few years but didn’t like the “structure”, I liked making up my own parts which weren’t allowed. I started competitive figure skating when I was 5 and kept at it until I started high school when I decided I liked music much more. I started taking voice lessons when I was about 14, my voice teacher Stuart convinced me to learn guitar. I started writing songs pretty much right away and I haven’t stopped. I still love Colorado for my family and the beauty but LA suits me much better.

How did you discover music?

I don’t really remember a time where I didn’t know and love music. I was always drawn to music and singing. Both my older sisters sing and/or play instruments. I think my mom realized I had a pretty good voice when I was young and she stuck me in the children’s chorale which I liked initially but quickly realized it wasn’t my thing. I never fit into choirs; I need the freedom to be artistic. Music was something that I always relied on for comfort growing up. I think music is sacred, it’s always accepted me for who I am, I don’t have to pretend. It’s a safe space- it allows me to feel, to express, to just be, if that makes any sense.

How did you start to write music?

When I was around 14 my voice coach Stuart convinced me to learn the guitar. He said “you aren’t just going to be one of those pop stars that sings other people’s songs, you’re going to play the guitar and write your own songs”. I am forever grateful to him because after I learned a few chords I wrote my first song called “Rain” and I have never stopped. Writing music has been the biggest gift to me. It gives me an outlet and boy do I need one.

Describe your music?

Dreamy indie pop.

You are a husband and wife pop duo from Los Angeles. How was it that you decided to put together the band for the first time?

Andy and I met right after I graduated from college. I was writing and recording folky singer/songwriter music at the time and he was hired to play on my first record. We met in a recording studio in Southern California. I was a total mess, heartbroken, and stumbling through the very start of my adulthood. We became close friends pretty quickly. I would drive to his house on the weekends to record cover songs that I would post to Youtube. Eventually, I got hired to write a song for a housing development commercial. I had a really quick deadline so I called Andy, he wrote a track that I listened to driving up to his house scribbling down lyrics as I went (unsafe). By the time I got to his place, I had most of the melody and lyrics for what would become “In my dreams” the title track to our first EP as Moxi. After we showed a few close friends the song we realized pretty quickly that we had stumbled upon something special. The rest is history.

How did you get your name?

We had all the songs for the “In my dreams” EP written and recorded before I had even come up with a name for the project. We had a big long list of ideas but none of them seemed to really fit. A friend of mine suggested “Moxi”. Moxi means courage, determination, and energy. I LOVED the meaning and think it embodies us as a band perfectly.

You band has had a numerous TV placement on shows like Almost Family, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Keeping up with the Kardashian and the Young and Restless. How was the first time you heard your music on television?

I freaked out the first time and tbh I still freak out every time it happens. It’s absolutely mind blowing to me still that anyone knows my music let alone wants to use it in their show. I am filled daily with immeasurable gratitude for this dream that I’m living.

What makes a good songwriter?

For me, I think the most important part is honesty and vulnerability. There are so many songs out there that are great in technicality or melody or smart lyrically but the ones that are really profound from my point of view are the ones that make you feel something. I think songwriting is a complete art and art has to be kinda scary for it to mean something. You have to take risks, get really far out to where it feels dangerous and then that’s right where you are supposed to be. As an artist who uses songwriting as my medium it’s my job to be vulnerable and messy sometimes and I can’t hide things- they have to come through in the music otherwise what am I even doing?

Tell me about “Blame It”?

Blame It is a peek into my brain. I tell friends a lot that I wish they could just be in my mind for a second because it’s so insane in there lol. There’s a lot of chaos, self-sabotage, weird ideas, and a lot of beautiful things too… It can get very dark but it’s also a lot of fun in there. I wrote this song after a fight with Andy. Almost every fight we have is pretty much caused by me and I’m usually the one who behaves terribly before, during, and after. I somehow found an absolute angel to marry who accepts me completely as I am, he doesn’t try to change me, he loves me truly despite how absolutely insane I am. Meanwhile, I’m over here picking fights, calling names, throwing tantrums. Blame It is about the inner dialog that goes on in my mind on a pretty regular basis. I fight the voices to an extent but you gotta keep some of them in for the art. Hold out long enough till I start seeing things again. Blame It is a result of that.

Why did you write it in a cabin on Big Bear Mountain?

We actually didn’t write this song in Big Bear that was our “Figures Bathed in Light” EP. We wrote Blame It at our home studio.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Lately I’ve been into The National’s Afraid of Everyone. I like the lyrics a lot.

Do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?

Yes, it already has drastically. I think we’ll adapt as an industry. We’re a very resilient bunch so I think we’ll be ok things will just look different. For Andy and I, we’ve made our career by being “scrappy” so we’re here for it and will do our best to keep up despite the challenges.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

TBH I’ve really loved the slow pace and free time it’s brought. At the beginning of the Q we were so creative- making videos in our backyard, remixing old songs, writing new stuff for TV. I’m really proud of how productive we’ve been this year despite everything. I’ve also become quite the cook I must say. A typical evening for us involves projecting horror movies onto the giant wall in our living room. Love it.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

Styling or art direction for other artists. I’ve always been really hands-on with my own styling/art direction but this last year I’ve started doing all of it myself and it’s been so much fun to see the result. To trust my own vision is such a huge deal for me and it’s been a long time coming. I’m extremely visual- when I write a song, I see the visuals in my head almost immediately. I also love crystals and just became certified for Reiki healing- which is something I’ll be doing on the side just because I love it so much.

Anything you would like to say in closing.