Malina Moye – Dirty

By starrymag | April 13, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as a mixture of Pop Rock, Blues, and Soul.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I am influenced by so many incredible artist. Some of my influences are Prince, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Eric Clapton.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Say My Name.”

 

A) I feel that when you acknowledge a person’s name you give life to their life story.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think because everyone has a story and everyone has something that they are fighting for, living for or trying to do. The song is about making a mark in life.

 

Q) Marc Fusco directed the video for this track. How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video is based on my life story. I came to California years ago. I came here with twenty dollars and a dream. The video reflects the struggle of the artist trying to make it in the music business and sleeping in her car and protecting herself with a knife and a Bible. I love Marc and I think he nailed the video and the vision.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) It just depends. Sometimes I hear melodies and sometimes I’ll write the lyrics and put music around what I am hearing. I am a student of life. I get songs that come to me at all times of the night. Sometimes I’ll sing in my phone wherever I am so I don’t lose the idea and come back home and work on it.

Q) Bjorn “Polarbear” Soderberg lent a hand with production on your upcoming album, but how much of a say do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) I definitely co- produced the album. I wrote all the songs except for “D’yer Mak’er,” which is a cover from Led Zeppelin. As a musician, I can arrange and write what I hear. I arranged everything you hear except for the cover. I generally do pre-production before I take it to the producer, even if it’s a bare mockup of guitar and vocals.

Q) Your new album Dirty drops soon! What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it? 

 

A) The album is about taking the high road when someone does you wrong and forgiving them. Forgiveness is for you so you can live a spiritually free life. Negativity and payback are bad and can cause deeper hurt to you. Stay in the light. [laughs]

 

Q) What tracks can you tease are some of your personal favorites or ones that were a challenge for you.

 

A) I loved “obsexxed,” which is an ode to the Minneapolis sound, but I tried to make it my own thing and hopefully something cool. I love “courage,” which is about suicide, and I love the delicious rich chords. So, I love that record and I can’t choose because I’ll tell you I love them all. I can’t wait for everyone to hear them and tell me what they think, and how it feels to them.

 

Q) What song(s) are you excited from Dirty to get to perform live?

 

A) “Courage,” “D’yer Mak’er,” “Say My Name,” “F.I.N.E. (F’D, insecure, neurotic and emotionally unstable)”

 

Q) How did you celebrate the album’s release on March 17th?

 

A) That’s a great question! Normally, I drive around listening to the album then head to dinner.

 

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners of your music?

 

A) I hope the feeling you feel moves you some kind of way and the lyrics hit home. (Fingers crossed)

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I love heading home to Minneapolis, and the east coast is great. NYC and Philly are always a blast. Internationally, I love Italy and Switzerland. I love everywhere, honestly. I have met so many cool people and this year we’re going to a lot new places. I’m excited.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Bruno Mars, John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Cardi B – I have a list. Ohh, Lizzo!!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I love social media. I find it so amazing that you can put up a video or a post and thousands, millions of people can see you in a matter of moments at once from all over the world. Social media can be very cool for certain things and bad for other reasons. I will always say don’t stay online too long. Real life is waiting and it’s important to rest your mind and I look at it like this, don’t overeat and know when you’re full. Consume a little bit at a time – everyone’s stomach is different. Don’t gorge yourself.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work? 

 

A) Thank you so much for all the love and support. I’m so excited to meet all of you and please know I am so grateful that I get to play music for you. Thank you for supporting live music. I’m rooting for you just like you’re rooting for me.