A Quick Chat With MOZË

'Saving' is an absolutely stunning track! Can you tell us what it is about and what you want people to take away from it?

Thank you so much! I very much wrote the song in a flow, thinking about my absolute love for music - I was hooked in a daydream the song was born. Saving encapsulates my desire to perform and enjoy the process of writing and creating, and the hard work that has gone behind that.

I have been sitting on an abundance of songs for a long time and people ask me why I haven’t released much, so I guess this song is the explanation, ‘I have been saving for the right time to colour in’ (finish them). I guess I wanted to get to a point where I could produce the music, meet a beautiful team, and build a brand that could support my songs enough so that people could hear it!

Aside to this, music is literally my life – I’m obsessed, addicted, in love – you can call it whatever you like, and I wanted to write a song that captures that. When I say, “if I had a diamond for every flower that shed its skin”, it represents the lack of support that we get in the creative world. There are so many incredible artists and musicians, that if we had the funding, or had diamonds to support the wonderful creative humans of this world – then we could show people how to respect and focus more on the arts. I’m sure many other creatives can relate to the battle of perfection within art, as “I have been saving for perfect, so that I’m sure”.

Who are some of your influences and why?

Too many influences to mention, I grow and learn from someone new each year. However, my loyalties are the artists I go back to if I’m feeling lost and need my own space and time. It’s been exciting listening back to my work and hearing these influences shine through too! Lianne La Havis, Carole King, Jorja Smith, Erykah Badu, Billie Holiday, Maribou State, Bonobo, Kllo, Moby and Coldplay.

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

Intuition! My writing process is contingent on how I feel. Before getting into production, I would sit at a piano belt gibberish until I could string meaning together, which is usually whatever sits at the forefront – or depth of my mind. Saving was one my first explorations into starting my process with production. The world of the song was designed by playing around and seeing how far I could stretch certain sounds, therefore creating the sort of sparkly metallic sound at the beginning. I think a lot of it is also tapping into your taste, whatever tugs at your interest.

I also love collaboration because you have no idea where a song could go if you allow another human to imprint their ideas into it. I got saving to a point where I liked the vibe, sound, energy and took it into the studio with the incredible Michael Belsar, who brought it to a new light and tied a bow on it – I felt like I could really hear the song after that!

What do you think makes a great song?

What a great question! For me personally, I think great songs elicit a thought or a feeling from the listener. If meaning and emotion transcends itself from the artist to the listener through a song, that’s magical right? That’s no secret either, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t feel something, or at least find enjoyment when listening to music.

Song writing is like a fingerprint, so personal and unique – if a song has soul, is innovative and takes you on an adventure in the mind then it must be great! In my experience, forcing something that doesn’t feel genuine doesn’t work for me.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

Lianne La Havis for sureee, I think she does the above so perfectly. I have listened to a lot of her interviews, and she is consistently challenging herself to go deeper into her feelings and excavate newfound expressions. Not only is she a wonderful song writer, but a great guitarist and that’s not something I write with often so it would be fun. I also think she experiments with new ideas and has designed a sound that is so recognisable and influential.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

Ooohh would you call socialising creative? That takes up a big chunk of my time, hanging with my besties is literally my favourite thing in the world and I learn so much, and make the best memories with them.

I am also studying my masters in cultural arts management, so I get to learn about the creative industry and break apart every aspect of it which is cool.

Who are some local bands we should check out?

Definitely PRUDNs, they are self-produced and a super talented songwriter, pianist and singer – such an amazing voice. We collaborated together recently, and it was so incredibly fun and fulfilling, I’m keen for the world to hear it!

Indyana is also self-produced and so stunning, like you listen to her and go into a trance because her voice is angelic. I have loved following her and she will join us at the single launch on viola!! Eeeep so excited.

Stevie Jean is an amazing singer, songwriter and guitarist. She has a crazy belt and if you see her live you will genuinely fall in love – so captivating.

Winter or summer and why?

Summer for sureeee. As much as I love my snuggling up in my Oodie when it’s brr, I’d much rather gallop in the sun with my friends sipping on gin. Sunshine brings my mood up so much, and from that my mind is clear like the skies lol

What else do you have planned for the year?

I am sitting on another single and an EP that is so close to being finished. I just want to get it out to the world, so my goal is to do that by November. There’s only 2 left to finalise, and after that I’ll start focussing on producing my second EP (already written). I’m moving back home to Wangaratta to finish this along with my studies.