We had the opportunity to interview Francie Moon! She's an upcoming alt artist who's sound is a bit bluesy, a bit garage rock, and all genuine. You're definitely going to want to check out what she had to say in our interview. Also, February 15th she is releasing a 7" vinyl called "New Morning Light" on Keeper Records, so don't forget to check that out as well!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I started playing my first shows twelve years ago. I never exactly set out to pursue music until I went out on two really long tours with Matt Pless when I was 23 years old. Those tours really opened my eyes to how possible it is to just get in a car and go instead of waiting for some magic opportunity. But I always have done music simply because I feel like I can't live without doing it. It is a necessity to me so whether I am performing out or not I am still playing somewhere, somehow". 2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"Sure, it definitely changes but I usually start with the lyrics. They just come to me one day and I just write whatever I am feeling. Then I'll be noodling on my guitar another day and something just clicks where I know what words I wrote previously to put to that music. It's like the feeling matches or something. Other times the words and music come together at the same time and that feels like a song chose me to be the spokesperson for it haha". 3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"Honestly when it comes to bigger artists I've always looked up to The Screaming Females. They are just so original and maintained themselves through many albums and scenarios and booked and managed themselves for years and years. But to be honest my friends have always inspired me. My friend Nicole Abbott first inspired me to write songs, Paul Chiesa helped me find my wild punk side, feed my ambition and write better, Matt Pless took me under his wing and helped me tour and also write better too, James Abbott always inspired me to write from the heart. There's a really great scene of musicians here in NJ who are always inspiring me constantly and over the years I've been watching them get better and better over time, which in turn has inspired me more and more". 4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"Yes I am a pretty simple person when it comes to my gear so everything I use I love. I have been using the same J. Reynolds guitar my mom gave me for my 16th birthday in every band I've played in. I've decorated it with feathers and a picture of my old bird buddy Peep. And I have a bracelet on the top of the guitar that was given to me by this sweet little boy Remy in Colorado. I've used the whammy bar so much it is stripped inside my bridge and so I have to use masking tape every show to add pressure to use it. I love that guitar so much. And for the last few years I've been playing out a Fender Deville that changed the game for me. It's really super loud and really clean and has a beautiful tone. I always bring it everywhere even when it's super inconvenient just cause I love the sound". 5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"Yeah recently the vibe has been pretty wild and loud. We've been playing a lot of fast psych surf punk songs but always add in some color with other feelings and softer songs. We're a pretty versatile band. Our drummer plays a saw sometimes on this really pretty instrumental track, so obviously there's a big range of emotion going on. We are in the works of adding another member to the band too and I think it's going to add a lot to the table!" "The thing about a venue I enjoy the most is when the venue staff actually care about the event going on and aren't trying to screw the musicians over. A nice sound person is always a plus. I've definitely been more careful these days with where I play and even boycotted a couple of spots because of how unfairly my band has been treated. I don't understand why a venue would want to treat the musicians, the people actually bringing the people to their business, bad. Doesn't make sense to me. I've heard it's mainly a United States problem though, and specifically in highly concentrated areas like NYC, so hopefully I'll go play the magic land of venues that care soon. On the other side, I really weirdly appreciate a really dirty gross disgusting venue that's been around for 30 years, or some weird basement that some random person decided to have shows in. There's something about those dingy places that takes the pressure out of everything, you can't hear anything, you can't see your guitar, there's no sound person, you don't know who's running the show, you are pretty sure you're playing the show but not 100% sure, and then when you finally start you are playing like a psycho and it's freedom and it's fun and nothing matters haha". 6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"We record and mix everything ourselves! It takes a lot of time and effort but I feel it's been paying off with the ability to experiment and take our time to push the envelope". 7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"Yes February 15th we are releasing a 7" vinyl called "New Morning Light" on Keeper Records. We are having a release show at Index Art Center in Newark, NJ with special guests The Hums, Fuhgawee Hunting Club, Shinner and Spowder. Also we are releasing a tape sometime in the summer!" ᐧ