Betty Moon On Her Latest Album “Hellucination,” Running The Successful “Evolver Music” & More

As a composer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, filmmaker and entrepreneur, Betty Moon has recorded nine full-length studio albums. Her latest full-length is this year’s Hellucination, from which “Save Your Soul” and “Violent City” were the first two singles. Yet Betty Moon already has a follow-up to Hellucination in the works with a tentative 2020 release date already planned.

Also interesting about the Toronto-born, Los Angeles-based former major label artist is that she has also built up her own record label and production company (Evolver Music), releasing all of her recent musical titles with much success. In turn, Betty Moon is the rare sort of self-sufficient artist that can successfully write, engineer, perform and internationally-market her own creations.

Below are highlights from my August 2019 Q&A with Betty Moon herself. More information about Betty Moon’s past, present and future can be found online at www.bettymoon.com.

Hellucination is your new album. How long did you spend making it?

Betty Moon: I spent well over a year writing, tracking demos, engineering and mixing most of the songs. There was a pretty good flow on writing the songs, and other tracks were actually ideas that were kicking around for some time. The hardest part was choosing the final tracks and putting the final touches on the mixes. I’d say the bulk of the work occurred during the last couple months before we set that release date.

What was the first song you wrote for Hellucination?

Betty Moon: “Save My Soul” was the first written and completed actually. I shot and edited the music video for the song before the LP was even done. There was something about having a complete song and video that helped push me the finish line for the whole album.

Do you have a favorite song on the album?

Betty Moon: I sort of cycle through favorites, but lately it’s been “Get Your Gun.” There a strong message behind the song and I’ve been feelin’ a bit nostalgic lately. This song totally reps my old school vibe, and I’ve been missing playing guitar in the studio and live on stage. I’m on a mission to make sure rock n’ roll never dies. (laughs)

Have you already started writing the followup to Hellucination? Or is this album a long-term focus of yours?

Betty Moon: Actually, it’s already nearing the finish line. Funny thing is I was itching to release this other album right after Hellucination, as I did write and record enough for at least two full-lengths last year. I’m sitting on it till early 2020, and have decided to further polish what I got and really put together a cool plan to unveil these new songs. I’ll be pushing Hellucination through early Fall and hopefully releasing another music video or two for other singles.

Beyond your solo career, you’re an accomplished entrepreneur. Do you think of yourself primarily as a musician who also has successful businesses? Or a businesswoman who is also an artist?

Betty Moon: That’s a great question, and thank you for the awesome words. I see the business side as a necessary element to me surviving in this often bizarre industry. My company, Evolver Music, is just an extension of my creativity and gives me an outlet to create content and put it into the world in a way that lets me “pay the bills.” As most know it’s tough as hell to survive as an artist, but there’s a stigma behind making things too “business” as an artist, when most think you should do it for the love of music. I say it’s the opposite, as you have to figure out how to monetize your material or you won’t be making much more of it for long.

In a nutshell, though, I see myself as two people and like to keep my mindsets separate between the business and creative sides so they can live and breathe separate without clouding judgement and smart decisions.

What do the next few months look like for Betty Moon?

Betty Moon: Lots of time dedicated to making more content for Hellucination and mixing/production for my next album. Time flies so I want to stay ahead of the curve for 2020. I’m also leaving shortly for a Toronto vacation to see friends, family and throw in some work here and there. I seriously can’t wait.

When not busy with work, where does your free time usually go?

Betty Moon: The beach, Malibu, and the canyons. Hanging with people I love. Exploring, and having fun. I also don’t feel like what I do is work, so playing guitar and geeking out in my studio is also part of my free time.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Betty Moon: The last concert was actually Tom Petty at the Hollywood Bowl a week before he died. I knew something was up with him because his performance was a little too laid back for what I’d expected. Still I felt lucky to have seen his last live performance.

Finally, Betty, any last words for the kids?

Betty Moon: Yeah, stop being obsessed with getting “likes” on social media and get out there, get your feet wet, your hands dirty and do your due diligence. Get good at something. And make sure you’re interesting with it. Don’t be a “people pleaser.” Instead figure out your life by finding out what makes you happy, what you enjoy doing and who you enjoy being around. If you can figure that out you’re good.

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Tags: Betty Moon, Evolver Music, Hellucination, Los Angeles, Tom Petty, Toronto

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."