LA-Based Singer BETTY MOON Discusses Her Brand New Album Cosmicoma, Her Growth Over The Years, How The City Inspires Her and More!

On May 21st, the Los Angeles songwriter and producer, Betty Moon released her 10th studio album called “Cosmicoma.” The single “My Only One” was the first one put out from this collection. Stream the energetic and driving track on Spotify and Apple Music. “Cosmicoma” is the follow-up to her much buzzed and highly praised 2020 release ‘Little Miss Hollywood.’

Despite what has been some challenging times for the music world, Betty Moon has used the time at home as an advantage, penning 8 new tracks with a rock driven soul that Betty Moon produced within the arena of her brand and style. As those familiar with Moon’s music can expect, each album steers in fresh directions musically while always giving a nod to her rock n’ roll roots. “My Only One” shows listeners she hasn’t forgotten her early sound that made her famous, and also injects progressive elements with those unique touches from her engineering and mixing skills. Betty Moon produced the album at her Southern California studio while enlisting longtime collaborators Justin Smolian and Owen Barry to bring the album to life.

Moon’s music has earned widespread media support from Billboard, American Songwriter, Celebmix, Consequence of Sound, Discobelle, New Noise, Hype Machine, Substream, Spill and dozens of others. She continues to blend elements of her classic sound and modern electronic/pop directions to create music that The Other Side Reviews says “grips you and takes you on a sonic journey” and “covers everything she has to offer from old-school rock to soulful downtempo songs to electronic-pop blasts.”

Connect With Betty Moon Online Here:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bettymoonmusic/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BettyMoonmusic 

Website – http://bettymoon.com/

Learn more about Betty Moon in the following All Access interview:

Talk to me about your focus tracks “My Only One” and “Where My Heart Is”.

“My Only One”, the first song off my new album is a mix of pop and dark melodies, with chugging guitars, and a chorus which may resonate with many women… and men for that matter. Infidelity is a great topic to reflect on and poke fun at and I wanted the listener to be able to make it their own. I think you’ll like the quirky sound that has organically developed on it. It’s “always fun” hint, hint. I hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed making it.

I wanted to write something a bit more stripped down and rooted with an acoustic. “Where My Heart Is” is one of the closers on ‘Cosmicoma’ and brings a bit of a “piece de resistance” to an album packed full of energy, memorable guitar riffs and loaded as usual with Betty Moon attitude. I took things in a bit more of a rock direction on this album so this track tones things down a bit, while also still telling true tales from my life experience. 

How are you all feeling at this point about the pandemic and the recent openings?

I’m feeling really good. Honestly, I think we did the best we could in 2020 and played it safe until things were good again. I think we see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s exciting to see things slowly getting back to normal. For everyone in music, this is huge news for sure. I’ve caught wind of venues opening up and bands starting to book shows and tours, so that’s some fantastic buzz to have going around.

Let’s talk about your newest track, “My Only One” What was the inspiration for this song? How is this song different or similar to anything else you have put out before?

I think lyrically it fits the flow of what I do on many Betty Moon songs. I purposely write lyrics I can dance and play around with, without feeling like I’m cramming too much into each verse. Last year when I wrote “My Only One” and most of the album, I was reflecting on my early days in Los Angeles and growing up wanting to move to this amazing city. I dreamed of past adventures, nights out on the town, interesting relationships and more. Although I don’t live in the past, it does make for some great source material for songs. 

When it comes to the new album ‘Cosmicoma’, how did it go about getting created? What did the team look like or did you do it all yourself?

As I usually do, I pick up an acoustic guitar, sit at my piano or jump into the studio to hash out whatever ideas pop into my head daily. It’s almost like a journal, and all the songs slowly start to come to life like a book being written. When something is close to a full idea or I’m riding high on the vibe, I call up my friends who do serious studio work and we take the song to the next level. I do all the production, engineering and most of the mixing, but I do require a team to ensure we get to the finish line. What’s the fun of doing everything 100% by yourself anyhow?

Do you plan to put out another single or any music videos from the album?

Definitely, I’ve been hashing out video ideas over the past month to get going on. I’m not sure of the next single though, but I know once the perfect visual pairs with that song I’ll know what to release. I love directing my own music videos and these pieces are truly extensions of myself creatively and personally.

How excited are you about live shows coming back? Do you have any future dates already scheduled yet?

Tell me where the next show is at and I’ll be there! Haha. I know they are figuring out the process and protocols for shows, so once we get a few of my favorite bands back in the area you can count me in for sure. Personally, I don’t have any upcoming Betty Moon shows on the books yet, but that could change here sometime this year.

What do you think makes for an ideal artist in this day and age? I know things are much different now, so I’m curious about your take.

I think the pressure to network at shows, get a huge record deal and tour like crazy is an old business model. While the idea of an artist truly expressing herself without societal pressure will never change, I think the medium and distance between the artist and listen has become closer than ever. I feel like if you make art authentically, and figure out how to create a platform to promote yourself, it’s just a matter of time before you are seen. The ideal artist has a brand that isn’t forced or manufactured, and it’s harder than ever to try and do that like major labels used to do decades ago. I feel like the ideal artist maybe doesn’t know he/she is even there, they just do it big and play by their own rules. Then one day, it’s all working like a completed puzzle. 

How do you think Los Angeles has influenced the Betty Moon sound and how do you all carry yourself as an artist? 

Los Angeles was rubbing off on me before I even moved there. I was clearly born to live here, and I love everything about it. So, I was probably writing songs with an LA state of mind before I even hit the runway at LAX. As an artist, I like to carry myself as someone with a clear rock-driven identity, but like to remain approachable and sophisticated. I’m confident about my brand, but like to have fun with it and appreciate the chance to be in the music industry after all this time.

How would you say that Betty Moon has grown as a musician over the years? How has your sound matured and developed? What has remained the same?

I think as a producer and writer is where I’ve grown the most. I’ve always had a focus on singing, and know that will always get better as I master other instruments and production techniques. I’ve always remained an average drummer though, hah!

Where do you think you are the happiest – in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere? With all the negativity out there today, what else in life truly makes you happy as an artist?

I love being in the studio, it’s where I feel both creative and meditative all at once. While I’m very social most of the time, I do need my alone space, and there’s no better excuse to get away than going into the studio. When I see or hear about all the bad things happening in the world, I always remember that musicians are some of the best healers out there. The music, lyrics and vibes can seriously change someone’s outlook and attitude in just one song.

With all the different social media platforms out there, how do you balance it all? How do you think that social media has impacted the Betty Moon brand? How often are you social channels interacting with fans? How have you been able to utilize them through the years?

I like to focus on just a couple channels and do it well. There are way too many options and it gives me anxiety just thinking about it! I use Facebook and Instagram to share imagery of the Betty Moon brand, and of course updates on what’s going on musically and personally. I find that my fans and even friends interact on here and I know for sure they’d have no clue I had a new album coming out if I wasn’t on socials. Over the years the pressure has increased a bit because of algorithms, sometimes I’m not sure what percentage of my followers are actually seeing the content. Often you have to boost posts and run ads, but that’s just part of the job right?

What musicians have really been inspiring you since you first started making music? Who would you all love to work with in the future?

I’ve been a fan of so many artists since I was young, but if I had a top few to collaborate with it would be Josh Homme, Sade, Shirley Manson and Rob Zombie. All have different sounds, but I think it would be so awesome to get creative together in the studio.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I’m trying to write music that is authentic and exciting to the listener. Some of it can get you going, others can be more relaxing if anything. It’s up to the listener to make the lyrics their own and that’s really it. I think we can change the world one person at a time, and with music it’s really by making music that the ideal Betty Moon listener really gets and feels inspired by. I just hope those who hear the music have a great time and get the same buzz I got when writing and recording it.