Mokita – Color Me In

By starrymag | December 12, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would say it’s singer-songwriter pop. Ive incorporated many different genres into my productions but most of them I’d say lean towards the pop side.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) John Mayer, Jimmy Eat World, Eminem, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, The Eagles (those are the first that come to mind)

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Figure Me Out.”

A) This was one of those songs that I came up with the melodies and production for it before I actually knew what I was going to write about. I recorded a bunch of scratch vocals just mumbling different words and then I came back in and filled them in with things that started making it feel cohesive. The song is just about wanting to be known. Everyone’s got this deep-seated fear that if people really knew them, no one would love them. I believe the opposite to be true, and so this song is about that.

Q) What do you hope about this song that fans will connect to?

A) I always just hope that my songs help someone, that someone out there finds it relatable. I always want my songs to help people talk about the hard stuff.

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

A) It’s always different. For the most part I come up with concepts away from the music and then I often come up with music when I’m messing around and find something interesting and then come around to combining the two ideas that fit together the best.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) Up to this point I’ve done it all. I’ve had some help with some drum programming and some different players playing on things but I’ve done everything up to this point.

Q) Your EP Color Me In is out now. What are some themes you explore?

A) Some of the themes are intertwined with what I talked about in “Figure Me Out.” I talk a lot about faith and searching for meaning in life; also, just dealing with growing up and what it means to mature and ask good questions.

Q) What song(s) on it hold a special significance for you and what makes them so personal?

A) “Room for Another” is really special to me because I feel like I wrote that from a very real p I felt like I was struggling with the idea of existing with a significant other; feeling like I was losing my freedom or that I wasn’t capable of being loved, etc. That song I love because it feels really honest, and I feel like A LOT has changed in my outlook towards dating and relationships since I wrote that song. Changed in a GOOD way. That song kind of opened the door to me analyzing how I treat people and how I view myself.

Q) Was there a song that challenged you the most to create or vocally?

A) “Figure Me Out” was really hard for me to sing just because I had been battling some vocal issues for the last few months and so when I was finishing that one it was really a grind to get it the way I wanted it. It was SUPER frustrating just because my voice was never at a hundred percent the whole time I was recording that one but I LOVE how it turned out.

Q) You’re out on tour now with Augustana. Which tracks on the EP have the fans been enjoying hearing live?

A) I’ve really enjoyed playing “Color Me In.” The Augustana tour was a stripped tour and so it was just me and a guitar or me and a piano. I loved being able to talk about the story behind the songs and then being able to play them in a more intimate setting.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) I think I always hope for the same things. That people would be encouraged to ask hard questions, and that they would realize they are not alone in their doubts and struggles. I also believe there are real answers.

Q) You recently toured with slenderbodies. Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I loved playing in Atlanta, GA. That show was definitely one of my favorites from the tour. I had a ton of friends and family come out and the show was packed. People were singing the words to my songs and that just never gets old honestly.

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

A) Oh man. I get asked that a lot. I mean my favorite artist of all time is Bryan Adams. I’d die to sing a song with him.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) This is ridiculous but I’ve been on a Drake kick for the last few weeks. I love listening to music that’s not in the genre that I make. I love rap and hip/hop, so I love incorporating certain types of rhythm into my own music. I just go through different listening phases. Currently on a hip/hop binge.

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

A) I’m not great at being on social media, but it has been a really beneficial part of my communication with fans. I don’t post a lot, but I ALWAYS respond to messages and comments. Interaction is really important to me, especially with the type of music I make.

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

A) Oh man, I just can’t believe people actually listen to my music, let alone take the time to tell me how it’s impacted their lives. I just feel blessed to be able to do this for a job and I wouldn’t be able to do it without my listeners and fans.