Moya is a 22 year old singer-song writer currently skirting around the peripheries of success, and yet her previous triumphs and bolstered take on turn of the decade power ballads should have her dead centre.
Whilst on first listen her music is not overtly embryonic, the most obvious comparison being somewhere between the staccato jazz chords of Amy Winehouse and the emotional intensity of Adele, there is a subtle uniqueness to her sound. The analogue is mixed with the digital as droning baselines fuse with fired up drum beats behind guitars and synths wedged inside an echo chamber. In truth, the instruments merely act as a smooth vehicle for the act’s nest egg; Moya’s voice. It is on a cold Monday afternoon that I sit on a park bench and call Moya. After 2 minutes of effusive hellos and genuinely warm chat, we begin our interview in proper.
Did you intend for Lost and Found to be a breakup album?
Um, no, I didn’t actually. A lot of the songs as you said are very cathartic through just writing about them through my own experiences. A couple of them are about breakups but a lot of them are about love, finding yourself. There are a lot of different themes but mainly it was a reflection of my life put into one big album, everything I’d experienced until I was about 20 years old. It’s a very cathartic album for me, definitely.
Do you still listen to it?
No, actually. I don’t really. It’s difficult. As an artist and as myself I’ve progressed rather a lot since I wrote that album and to me, even though it’s going to be my baby because it’s the first thing I ever did, I feel like I’m moving on from it. When I brought it out I loved listening to it because it was like relaying my life everytime I listened to it, but now it’s like I’ve moved on; had different experiences. Now I’m slowly putting it to bed and moving on with the next lot.
Are you writing the follow up now?
It’s already written actually. It’s a mini-album that’s coming out at the beginning of next year.
Does it deal with the last 2 years following your debut album specifically?
Yeah, absolutely. When I sit down and write I always write from experiences. I guess it’s the next logical chapter.
Now that you’re touring and selling records, will we be able to relate in the same way?
Definitely. There’s some seriously kick ass songs. There’s a song I think you’ll like a lot. It’s a fuck you song. A “I’ve blossomed and I don’t need you anymore” song.
(A train can be heard in the background)
Is that a train?
Yeah. I’m in the studio recording today and it’s underneath some train tracks. Sometimes a train goes past and I can’t hear anything.
You’re starting your first headline tour soon. Are you nervous?
Yes, absolutely bricking myself. I mean I’ve been supporting since i can remember. To actually take the reigns and do my own things is very nerve-wracking, but also incredibly exciting. I can do my own thing. I can put on a full blown show for once. It’s going to be tiring with a show every single day but I think i’m ready for it. Supporting can be hard sometimes when you want to show people what you can do but you never get quite enough time.
Touring so intensively, do you think it will be hard to do the emotional intensity of the lyrics justice every-night?
It is hard, every-time I go onstage. It’s draining, it’s personal and emotionally connected to me. But knowing that people have bought tickets to see me is motivation enough. It’s a kind of validation even before I’ve got on stage.
Do you still write with David Blair?
I haven’t actually in a while. He went away on holiday for a bit. None of the tracks on the new album have been written with him. I decided to expand my horizons a little bit and branch out. I think it’s important to write with other people, to get a different perspective. Sometimes you exhaust the possibilities of a person, not in a bad way.
Do you have a writing process?
Yes, I do. Because I don’t play an instrument it’s quite difficult for me. Essentially I’m a top line and lyricist so all of my songs have to be co-written. Sometimes I’ll come in with an idea or lyrics, but mostly I start with a blank page and see what happens. That’s the fun bit. You meet up with your co-writer and never know what you’re going to get. It’s an organic process. It is scary though, opening up and telling your whole life story to someone you might not know too well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4jn9GJIjzw
You say it’s organic, but writing is hard. Do you have any formal training?
I wrote a lot during my childhood, mostly in diaries, so I think that’s where my love of writing comes from. It wasn’t until I got to my sixth form college when i thought that maybe it’s something I might enjoy. I had a teacher who encouraged me and set me up. I think sometimes you have it in you for whatever reason. I write quite poetically in my diary so I often pick out ideas and phrases from there. I feel bad saying it but I find it quite an easy, enjoyable experience. It has to be. if someone tells you to sit down and write a good song you won’t write a good song. My mum always told me that if you wake up one morning and you don’t wont to be doing what you’re doing, don’t do it. If I didn’t enjoy writing music, I wouldn’t do it.
Sorry, I’ve completely lost my train of thought. That’s very unprofessional.
That’s alright, we can just have a chat if you like.
Okay, what’re you up to today?
I’m recording a song for the album that I actually wrote in LA.
When were you in LA and did you like it?
Just before I started doing the Rod tour. I think it was April. I went out for five days, had the worst jet lag ever and worked solidly. It was a whirlwind. The writers out there are absolutely out of this world. As a city, I loved it. I would happily, happily live there. You know when you know you fit in somewhere, for me for instance, Manchester. I just felt like I found my calling when I went out there. I know what you mean though. A lot of people think it’s like sucking on a lemon.
What was your favourite city when you toured Europe with Rod Stewart?
Amsterdam. We played the dome. If you ever get the chance, you must go. It’s basically a huge box from the outside with LED lights everywhere. It was an all standing gig and the atmosphere was incredible. The best gig I’ve played. The Dutch really know how to party.
How was touring with Rod?
It was insane. To be able to 24 gigs, in arenas, that’s just ridiculous. I remember getting the phone call and being told I was doing it and I cried for about 3 hours, probably out of sheer terror, but also excitement. Someone told me I was playing the O2 arena! I played the last show in the Hydro in Glaso and I was just a mess at the end. Complete word vomit. My main thought was “shit me”.
I saw Rod Stewart at Glastonbury and I was a little blown away but the sexual nature of his performance. Does he still have it?
Yes! I remember watching the show for the first time. He wouldn’t mind me saying it but he is getting old but you would never believe in a million years that his stamina and energy are as high as it is. He runs around that stage like he’s a puppy. He’s on the floor, flipping microphones over his head, kicking footballs into the crowd. It’s an absolute spectacle. The set up is out of this world. It’s not just him it’s his band. They’ve been playing together for years. They’re incredibly tight. They absolutely smash it every single night. I went from doing acoustic stuff with Nick to arenas and realised I had to move around the stage rather than being rooted to one point. I picked up a lot of tips from Rod as to how to work the audience, how to use the stage.
Would you like to be in a similar position to where he is now when you’re his age?
Hell yes. Who wouldn’t? Every artist wants longevity. But you have to be realistic. It’s not going to happen to everyone. I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m 22 years old, I’ve got so many more years of this ahead of me. Right now I’m really quite happy where I am.
Moya plays the Leed’s Wardrobe on the 6th December.