Zoë Moss is a bicoastal songwriter, producer and artist based in New York. She has penned records and/or lent her hauntingly emotional vocals to top artists such as Andy Grammer, Brooks, and Grace VanderWaal.
Interview conducted on July 27, 2020
By Dan Locke
Fresh off the release of her first single, “The Operator,” Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Zoë Moss has announced her latest release, “The Fantasy.”
What was your upbringing like?
I was a bit of a drifter. Kind of a weird creative kid who didn’t really fit in. My family is very small, and I spent a lot of my happiest memories visiting my aunt in San Francisco, or going into New York for shows.
How and when did you discover music?
There wasn’t really a discovery. I basically came out of the womb singing haha. And music, art, and film was a big part of my childhood.
How did you first start to write music?
So when I was 8 there was this songwriting contest, it was post 9/11 and it was supposed to be uplifting for the children, but looking back it was pretty dark. I wrote something that was equally dark about holding the weight of the world in my hand on my little tape recorder and it ended up winning and going on to state. I don’t keep a lot of physical momentos, but I think I still have the plaque somewhere…
Do people sometimes get you mixed up with Zoe Moss from the 2019 film Three Little Hearts?
I actually haven’t seen it, but I just googled that it’s about anti-racism and aliens so sounds on brand.
What was it like to work with Andy Grammer and Grace VanderWaal?
Neither of them I’ve met in person, but it was dope to contribute vocals on Grace’s album and writing for Andy was magic.
How did you find your sound?
I don’t know if I’ve found it yet. I write things I can’t say, it’s how I process, and that will always be true. But I think my sound will keep evolving.
Why did you start your own label “She’s No Good”?
Because I wanted to have a place to give my music a home as well as potentially grow it, and collaborate with others under She’s No Good in the future.
And how did you come up with the name?
It’s a reference to Amy Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good, one of my favorite songs ever. Amy is a huge huge influence on me. Her lyrics.
Tell me about the debut EP single “The Operator” Why did you decide to go with Lauren Grier for the Lyric Video?
The Operator was the first single because it was different from the others in the sense that it was more electronic and experimental. I see myself continuing to experiment with my musical style, and would love to get further into that space. Also The Operator because it was unapologetic and that’s how I wanted to start the project off as. Also Lauren because she’s talented, a mom, and I love her artistic direction.
Tell me about The Fantasy?
The Fantasy is my last single. It’s a song about being an emotionally repressed human. Haha. It’s about when you start to fall for someone and the little voice in your head is screaming no the whole time. Basically “you can’t hurt me more than I’ve been hurt before”. Dark but it’s how I felt.
How was it to be a co-writer on “Cheap Tricks”?
Amazing. Mothica is extremely focused and specific and talented and I love how honest she is in her process and with her fans when she tells her story.
What is your favorite track on the album?
She has a new song I wrote on called Blue Hour that is lyrically empowering and sonically creepy. It’s not out just yet. But that one 🙂
Can you explain the saying – 20 something musician by day and wandering free spirit by night?
Yes. It’s just my lifestyle in a nutshell. Well it was my lifestyle up until quarantine. Writing music about feelings I can’t express by day, and then running from them at night. Doing too much and too little often at the same time.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
That it’s great if labels and DSP’s paid writers and artists a living wage off of their streams. Until then it’s great, but innately flawed.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I should say vinyl haha. Still haven’t hooked up my Pioneer though…
Any plans to tour?
Not currently. But we’ll see how the new year goes.
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
Nao – Another Lifetime
MNEK – At Night I Think About You
The Hooters – And We Danced
And what does that song mean to you?
The Hooters, because it reminds me of my childhood. I love to real dance and joke dance.
Nao, because unrequited love is something that hits me so deeply and I love her style of writing.
MNEK, because his melodies remind me of old school boy bands mixed with new wave. And he’s just dope.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going & will continue to affect the music business in the future?
Honestly, I don’t think things are ever going back to how they were. I think we’re going to continue to feel the repercussions of Covid on touring for years to come and artists are going to have to get more and more creative to supplement income.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I have dedicated my quarantine time to two things, writing and self-care. Quarantine has been oddly good for me because it’s been an opportunity to get back to basics and grow as a human. It’s hard to explain how good. There were things that I was avoiding, and when quarantine slowed life down I was able to face them head on. Also I’ve had some songs I’ve written on, come out because of quarantine. I think I really needed the reset. There’s been an unexpected upside.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Sort of. I go to Prospect Park as often as possible and just kind of meditate. Water is a huge thing for me so I sit by the lake and take in the sounds and smells and colors. I went to a drum circle recently too, and that was so spiritually enlightening.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
Not quite yet. I’ve been in writing mode and I want to roll out more music before I tackle any online concerts. Soon though. We shot the acoustic video that you graciously featured, and even that taste of performing gets me excited. It’s been years since I was on a stage, and didn’t realize how much I would miss it.
The New York Times, Rolling Stone and the CEO of Live Nation said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
Definitely. That sounds dead on to me.
With Social Distancing being the norm, do you feel that it may be the end of music festivals for the next couple of years?
Maybe for the next few years, but I think we will find ways to get creative. Whether it be socially distanced outdoor festivals, or drive in shows. Drive in shows look really fun to me. Or maybe higher ticket prices for less people at the venues? It’s a wild time we’re in. We shall see.
Where and how do you see yourself in the next five years?
Good question. I’d like to spend some time writing in the UK. I hope in five years I’ll have developed my label She’s No Good further. I’d like to teach a songwriting class, or mentor other writers. Also to continue to grow as a person and establish meaningful relationships.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thanks for letting me share with you! This was fun.
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