Betty Moon has been busy in the studio working on new music for an upcoming to-be-announced album, and in the meantime has dropped an exciting new cover of “Boilermaker” on streaming platforms. Her take on the popular Royal Blood track layers her sultry voice with slight nuances musically to make the hypnotic, groove laced track her own. The single is her first release since the early 2022 album ‘Undercover’, which was a compilation of 10 favorite Betty Moon cover songs. Over the past few years during the pandemic era, Betty Moon has managed to stay busier than ever in her Hollywood based studio and used the time to not only release three albums (Little Miss Hollywood, Cosmicoma and Undercover), but also drive straight ahead into new original music to release later in 2023.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Betty Moon, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
Thank you again for having me. Well, as we both know time moves quickly and there’s always so much to do. I have been busy working on a new album in my studio here in Los Angeles, and things are coming along really well. In the meantime I have my cover of “Boilermaker” up on Spotify/Apple Music to hold you all over while progress is being made. I can’t even express how excited I am about this new album coming up.
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
I felt such a strong connection with my family and friends surrounding the music in my life. It really felt like it was part of my destiny to get into this stuff. From the recording studio on my parent’s property to the community of friends and record store hangs in Toronto, I was absorbing so much music almost every single day. It was really an all or nothing experience, and my childhood really feels like it was preparing me for where I am now.
Your latest song is 'Boilermaker'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I’ve covered a ton of songs throughout my career, but wanted to give a more modern song a shot. I’ve been a fan of Royal Blood and their contemporaries like Queens of the Stone Age for a while now. I thought “why not put my own spin” on this thing and give it a more feminine approach. I think it was by far one of the most fun tracks to record with my musician friends here in Hollywood. It came together in one day, from tracking guitar, drums, vocals and mixing it was something that was knocked out quickly. No pressure, no stress, just 110% fun.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Oh jeez, I think some of the cringe moments were when I was younger and things would go wrong during live performances. From gear to wardrobe malfunctions haha, nothing prepares you for life more than figuring out how to “wing it” live when things hit the fan.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
Well, it can be but I have a great community of friends and other things to do that balances it all out. It’s not like I’m sitting at a desk 9-5pm where I can shoot the breeze with co-workers on a whim, being a musician requires solitude to write, record and perfect whatever art you are working on. But then the ideas and finished product bring people together, whether that be through the collaborative process, speaking with fans about your streaming music or even playing a live show in person. To get out of my comfort zone I like to stay busy doing other things outside of music, traveling, exercise, projects in real estate and so much more. I’m very fortunate to have that balance, or at least to know when to “fill my cup” in other areas when I’ve been holed up in the studio too long.
What is your dream project?
I’d love to work on an EP or LP with Josh Homme. I think he’d be able to pull a part of my creative ethos out that no other producer or artist would ever be able to. I love reading about the collaborations he does with others, he really cares about the process and results.
What inspires you as an artist? Could it be the sea, the weather or something else?
I truly love the ocean and coastal areas of Southern California. I think in years past it was more Los Angeles and Hollywood, but my love for areas like Santa Monica and Malibu make for the perfect place to get inspired, grab a coffee and enjoy a life well lived. I can go on a hike and think of ideas, or just sit outside with some headphones, a tablet and some inspiration to figure out that potential next single. Besides that, I really just go off what comes to me personally. I don’t go into songwriting with some agenda to write about politics or anything intense. I leave my ideas and lyrics up for interpretation by the listener.
Do you think it's easy to become established in the music world, or is it difficult?
Oh boy that’s a loaded question haha. I think all the roads are clearly marked these days, but it doesn’t guarantee any level of success even if you travel all of them. There are so many artists now and a lot of it comes down to solid marketing, branding, great songs and a huge dose of luck. Oh, and getting on playlists, lots of playlists.
Can you reveal the recipe for a musical hit?
Study your musician idols, understand why they carry so much charisma in their music and personal brand. I truly think it’s a combination of both, it’s the complete puzzle that includes music, lyrics, appearance and a great story of how it came to be. People no longer want a big hook, for the most part. They want something they can relate to, singing along to and feel connected to in many ways.
What can we expect from Betty Moon in the near future?
I’m hoping to have this new album wrapped here in the next few months or so. I tend to work quickly, but I’m just about at a point where I can give you all an estimated release date. These songs are so good, I’m trying not to be a perfectionist but, you know, we’re artists and that’s what we do. Thank you again for taking the time to interview me.