Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. The great thing about that was that I was so close to downtown Toronto and that gave me easy access to attend concerts and theaters. I have been singing as long as I can remember and there was nothing I enjoyed more and I only ever envisioned myself having a career as a singer. I often feel like it chose me, not the other way around. I also come from a musically talented family none of them ever did it professionally but all very gifted.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’m a big Lainey Wilson fan, love her music and her vibe. Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Little Big Town. Love our Canadians too, like Tenille Townes, Tenille Arts, and Dean Brody. We have so much amazing talent north and south of the border it’s really hard to pick just a few.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘New Moon Junction’?
A: Artists like Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, The Cranberries, and Alanis Morissette were big inspirations in my early songwriting days. I loved all genres growing up and still do today.
Our trio name, “New Moon Junction” took some time to come up with and stick but I couldn’t see it as anything else today. New Moon represents new beginnings and Junction for us joining together. We all came together from solo careers and were looking for something new.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Mind Of Its Own’. Is there a story behind it?
A: We did not write this tune ourselves, however each one of us in the trio can relate to the sentiment and have experienced this at one time or another. ’Mind Of Its Own’ is about knowing something isn’t good for you but still wanting it anyway. Allowing yourself to be led by your heart and not your mind.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: Brad, Tamara and I are all songwriters and have been writing for many years for our solo projects. We all have a tendency to write sad, melancholic songs on our own, but in this project we want to write songs with meaning and have some fun. Collectively we have experienced a lot of joy and tragedy in our lives so we want to share these stories through our music.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: The key element in our music that listeners notice first is our harmonies. We all have very unique voices that just happen to blend beautifully and create a very distinct sound. We often get compared to Lady A, Little Big Town and Fleetwood Mac. The stories in our songs, great melodies and amazing production should resonate with our listeners,
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: The music community is the only place I really feel like I fit in. As much as music is hard work with a lot of ups and downs, I still never look at anything musical whether it is writing, rehearsing, recording, or social media as work. I guess that’s how it should be if you’re doing something that you love. So would I like more, of course we always want to reach new levels of success but I love the journey.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Songs have come to life in many combinations for me, whether it’s lyrics or melody first or both at the same time. I have the most success with writing when I can complete the song in one sitting. Having to go back to edit and refine is one thing but if I don’t have at least a strong outline I find those songs will sit unfinished. I often find myself having song ideas while I’m playing a cover in the quiet of my home or listening to some of my favourite music. It’s almost like those activities focus your mind and allow the ideas to flow through.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: I would have to say that it has been my life challenges that drew me to music in the first place and continues to do so today. Music is my solace and what has got me through the tough times in my life. There are far too many challenges to list but the most recent was having both my parents sick and almost die in the same year, this had to be the most stressful time of my life. Thankfully they are both still here and I’m so grateful for that. Musically, writers block is really frustrating and sometimes I’m just too hard on myself because I’m a perfectionist and won’t allow myself to flush out an idea if I think it sucks. I have to learn to allow myself to suck and know that it is okay to suck sometimes.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: There are also many things I’m proud of in life and music. In life, I’m proud of the beautiful family I’ve raised and musically I’m most proud of the trio I put together ‘New Moon Junction’. In 2019 I was looking for a change and found these beautiful kindred spirits and wonderful friends to share the journey with in the next chapter of our music careers.
