INTERVIEW: Garage-blues-rocker Francie Moon talks about her new EP

Photo Credit: Robert Huber

There’s a real pure energy and sound that strikes you when first listening to the latest batch of tunes from songwriter Francie Moon. Her approach to the blues comes with the same reverence for the art that someone like Jack White has, while ultimately ratcheting up the fuzz a bit in kick-ass fashion.

Moon recently dropped a new, self-titled EP which you can stream in full below. Be sure to check it out while reading an interview Groundsounds did with the artist around the EP release.

Hi, Francie Moon! Congrats on your new EP. Tell us a little more on how these tracks came to be.

Hi, Groundsounds!! Thanks! I can say writing a song is kind of like having a kid. Watching them “grow up” is a pretty cool process. As I grow and progress as an artist, the songs that I play seem to grow with me. I have “raised” the three tracks on the EP over the last couple years. They have been around the country with me a couple times, been played with a couple bands and one even made it on vinyl. It feels really, really good to finally have them be released in a proper form and with a good sound. I feel like a proud momma seeing them all grown up.

What’s your songwriting process like?

It all depends on the song, really. But if I tell you, I’d have to kill you. It’s like giving away the secret recipe for the Crabby Patty!!

What are some of the larger themes at play on these tracks?

All of the tracks are like a piece of my self-discovery in song form. They tell a story of me deciding to go off to play music and follow my dreams, to finding myself on tour in West Virginia getting used to and loving my new lifestyle, to being so happy with life that the fear of death dissipated.

Who do you cite as chief influences?

Nature mostly, and openness. Getting to the gut where the emotions are born. But music that has influenced me has been Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, old bluesy stuff, new garagey stuff, drums, birds, wind chimes, lots of my friends and people I play music with, all music that makes me smile and go into another world. I’m a sucker for a good guitar part too.

If you could collaborate with any three living artists right now, who would they be?

Neil Young, Jimmy Page and Marissa Paternoster. I’d love to learn from all of them.

Any new bands/venues/purveyors of the arts you could turn us onto?

Check out Elephant Fire, Erica Russo, The Big Drops, Spowder and James Abbott for sure.

Any upcoming shows?

Unfortunately not. I’m pulling a NJ Houdini act but will return soon ready to go. Keep an eye out for a January release though!