With a blistering live show, a slew of solid releases, and a growing fan base, Suzi Moon has built quite a bit of momentum since the release of her and her band’s first EP, Call the Shots, in May of 2021. Suzi Moon continued this success with the release of her debut solo record, Dumb & In Luv, in September of 2022. The 10-track album is full of raw energy, catchy choruses, and personal songwriting that has marked each of Suzi Moon’s releases thus far.
In a recent interview with Dying Scene, Suzi Moon went in-depth on the writing, production, and process of making Dumb & In Luv. She also gave a special spotlight to a couple of the tracks on the record and provided the context of the album within her career.
The Process
Upon starting our conversation, Suzi Moon provides insight into the new record coming together and how she feels after its release on September 23rd, 2022.
“I am absolutely over the moon that it’s finally out there,” says Moon. “I’m sure every other musician can relate to me when I say that the process of getting it over the finish line and out there and released, after getting all the work done there’s so much build up to that moment when it finally gets to be a record that’s out there in the world. I’m so proud of it, and I’m happy that people are loving it.”
Suzi references finally getting the project over the finish line, and the artist has been working on this project for a while. All of the songs on the album were written and have been in the works before the release of her first two EPs, Call the Shots and Animal. Moon commented on this aspect of how the album came together.
“All of the songs on Dumb & In Luv were written well before Call the Shots and Animal, and it just kind of worked out that way. Before I decided to do Suzi Moon as a solo project, I was in between bands, but I never stopped writing. I had this batch of songs, and I just felt like I would die if I didn’t get them out of my head.”
While Dumb & In Luv marks Suzi Moon’s debut full-length record, the guitarist/singer already had a substantial career. Before her solo project, Moon played in other bands, notably with her sister in Civet, and her first experience as the front-woman of a band with the Turbulent Hearts. While Dumb & In Luv is far from Moon’s first release, putting out a solo record creates a new level of pressure and pride in the final product.
“There’s nothing to hide behind. If somebody has a problem with a lyric or a song, they’re going to say, ‘It’s Suzi Moon’s fault.’ Not my bassist or the name of the band. There’s nothing to hide behind. But I think I’m not afraid anymore because of all those years of experience playing in Civet when I was a teenager and with my second band, Turbulent Hearts.” Moon says, “I feel pretty unfuckwithable. No one can take away the amount of experience I have, the touring I’ve done. I had very scary moments recording Dumb & in Luv, but it’s impossible to please everybody. You have to be happy with yourself that you did the best you could to bring a song to life.”
The Songs
This topic turned to talking in-depth about some of the songs on Dumb & in Luv, with one, in particular, being a track that stuck out to Moon as one that was a moment in the album she cited as being an example of a scary moment. That song is “California,” an upbeat and catchy ode to Suzi Moon’s home state.
“California“
“California,” the third track on the record, is a bright and anthemic tune that joins a long tradition of songs about the Golden State across a myriad of genres. Moon says that she hesitated to make the track because of the trope of songs about California.
“I did not wake up one day and go, ‘I know what I need; I need a California Song.’ It is overdone, but that also speaks to the magic of California.” She continues: “there is something so unique about that place that continues to inspire people to write about it. I did not set out or intend to write a cheesy California song, but it grew out of my heart anyway.”
The song growing out of her heart is evident, as the song is filled with personal songwriting that separates Suzi Moon’s “California ” from being something that comes off as too familiar. Whether it be a reference to Moon’s first car, a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado that she got because of her love of Mest and their song “Cadillac” when she was a teenager, or the first line of the piece a reference to the same Mest track. Moon writes a song that is both fun and personal, as well as acknowledges the subject matter is well traveled.
“Right out of the gate, I’m kind of taking the piss out of the whole thing. It’s not like I don’t know this is borderline cheesy. But cheesy can be fucking fun sometimes, and that doesn’t make it a less good song.”
This mix of humorous and personal songwriting brings the track together as something meaningful and has a genuine reverence for the source material. This personal touch became even more evident on the next track we discussed, “Money.”
“Money“
While the themes on the track “Money” are something that many can relate to, not being respected by your employer, etc., the songwriting process was one that Moon describes as very personal.
“When it comes to the song ‘Money,’ that is actually one of the more personal songs on the record, that I did not write with anybody else in mind.” Says Moon, “It’s a true story about a job that I had that fucked me over. Some songs write themselves. It’s the weirdest thing because I don’t have that much of a memory of writing ‘Money’ or how that all spilled out of me. It’s one of my better songs, I think.”
It’s a testament to the writing on the record that Suzi Moon is able to use an autobiographical approach to writing a song about an event from her life and that it may easily resonate with the listener. Moon also describes the influences that went into the song, giving it a stand-out sound on the album.
“I remember wanting to be like Ike and Tina Turner meets the Who in the verses, but the chorus has to be full Sheryl Crow, ending with Randy the band chaos sprinkled with some Stax Records saxophone. That’s what my brain does, but it still comes out as Suzi.”
The song effectively synthesizes these influences while still being uniquely Suzi Moon.
After the in-depth discussion on recording and releasing some of the critical moments on the album, the interview moved toward what comes next for Suzi Moon and her band.
What Comes Next
Moon mentions that despite the success of the new record, she is already working on the band’s next project.
“I am 1000% a workaholic, and I have already started writing. Dumb & in Luv was recorded before the Call the Shots EP, before the Animal EP, recorded before I had the band that I’ve been playing with for a year. Something magical happens when you play with four people for a year. You get this gel and groove going together. Right now, I’m wondering how we capture that?”
Before Moon and her band can figure that out, however, first they will be finishing up a year of touring that includes playing with legends of the punk scene. This includes shows with The Damned, Rebellion Fest in Blackpool England, and, currently, playing shows with The Dead Boys.
With the debut of her first solo record and the band gelling together in the studio and on the road, one thing is sure. Whatever is next for Suzi Moon will be buzzworthy. Dying Scene thanks Suzi Moon for taking the time to talk about her new record, which you can check out on major streaming platforms or order here.
Moon also wanted to thank Mass Giorgini and Davey Warsop for their production work on the album, which was instrumental in developing the sound of Dumb & in Luv.
