What I’ve Been Listening To: MOZË

Yorta Yorta/Wangaratta-based artist MOZË has released her latest single – the exuberant and uplifting – ‘Albert St.’. Produced by MOZË herself and Michael Belsar and mixed by Allan McConnell, ‘Albert St.’ is a soul-funk masterpiece that immerses the listener in its warm bass lines and serene keyboard melodies.

The track comes to life with vibrant bursts of saxophone and dynamic drums that propel the infectious groove forward. Funk-laden guitar chords add to the dance-worthy atmosphere, creating an irresistible ambience that will have you moving to the rhythm. It’s the kind of song that instantly lifts your spirits and transports you to a carefree state of mind.

MOZË’s vocals on ‘Albert St.’ are rich and playful, perfectly complementing the sanguine atmosphere of the track. Her delivery is filled with joy and an infectious energy that radiates through the clever use of deft spoken words adds an extra layer of charm, making you feel completely at home in the musical world she has created.

The inspiration behind ‘Albert St.’ stems from a memorable event in 2022 when MOZË’s friends hosted an iconic ‘Albert St. Affair’ house party in Brunswick, Melbourne. Capturing the essence of that unforgettable night, the song celebrates friendship and a collection of cherished moments. A live sample from the actual party, featuring everyone singing along, concludes the song, adding a heartfelt touch that brings the experience to life.

Accompanying the release is a vibrant music video filmed in Collingwood, directed and edited by MOZË herself, with cinematography by Sam Higham. The video captures the essence of the track’s concept, creating an inviting party atmosphere with colourful, sun-soaked shots. The video becomes a visual representation of friendship, quirkiness, and celebration, reflecting the spirit of an ‘Albert St. Affair’, and to celebrate the release, MOZË took the time out of her day to answer a couple of questions for Eat This Music as part of our “What I’ve Been Listening To” series.

Who is MOZË and how did the namesake come about?

She is an artist that seeks adventures in the mind, follows her imagination and transforms it into something tangible. The world and our feelings are so textural and colourful, and sound has this wonderful depth that allows us to experience touch in a spectacular way. It’s funny how melodies and rhythms connect to people differently. I am curious and absorbed by music and its efforts to impact our minds.

MOZË is my name, Zoë Marshall, mixed up – a playful nod to my dyslexia. When I was younger, I had a different route to the objective than everyone else, and although it was hard to understand then, it is such a magical part of who I am now. I was forced to work twice as hard than others, and on the way, I picked up new and different perspectives. I realise now that my imagination and creativity provide a world for me that not everyone has, so I will turn my worlds into a cinematic display of sound.

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

Monica Martin – go easy kid. I have listened to this song for a long time, I can’t stop, and I won’t stop. The architecture is so delicate and stands strong. The production is warm and comforting, it creates space for the story to be told. Torrents of textures wrap around her voice and soul – the depth of the song is perfect if you want to feel home.

Caroline Polachek – Has been my latest 12-month obsession. I love her melodies and artistic direction, the concepts that she talks about are profound, but never hold too much weight. She is playful and it always makes me feel good.

Woodes – My fav Aussie artist. A killer producer, her new music has been so delicate and vulnerable. She has taught me so much in my time as a musician, and I credit her for all the motivation and belief she has given me. She is positive, so hard working, and a talented queen. I have her new releases on repeat.

When you go into the recording studio to work on new material, what are your must-haves?

Instruments/gear: Starting with the minimum – my songbook, Nord stage 3, laptop (Abelton/Spotify), headphones, hard drive, and a microphone. If I have the access/space/convenience – my prophet-5, monitors and maybe a producer/writer friend with me if I’m lucky!

Food: Coffee (soy latte), grapes, almonds, tea, and honey.

Atmosphere: Candle/incense, warm lighting, heating if it’s cold – I hate being cold.

Comfort: Wear something fun and comfy and have a completely free day solely to create.

Which song of someone’s else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

BONOBO for sure. I am a massive fan of his sound and the worlds that he creates. I feel that I would be able to create really complimenting melodies to live in his worlds.

Which song, or songs, of yours would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

This is a hard question, it’s so dependent on the person and what mood they’re in! I see my music as a portfolio too, so it’s hard when I’ve only released three songs. However, ‘Ruse’ seems to be a song that is fitting for anyone at most points in time. It captures my soul, production, and storytelling well, and is also a bop! I personally love Saving, because of the production and the world it sits in.

What led you into using music as your creative outlet, and keeps you making music?

Since I was young, music was the only thing that really inspired or made sense to me. I struggled with dyslexia in the past, so when I wasn’t doing well at school, I turned to the things I was good at – creativity and performing especially. Performing is the one thing that I can do with absolute confidence, it is my favourite and best feature of my artistry. I started performing at around 10 years old, playing the piano at 12 and singing ever since I could remember. My family grew up on a farm outside of Wangaratta and would go on adventures, and we were always making things – whether it was songs, movies or building mini houses. I started writing originals for my jazz band in year 11 of high school and later formed my first band when I moved to Melbourne to study music. I followed the flow of what felt natural to me – and that was music. Music keeps me close to my child-like wonders and the core of who I am, I find all my wisdom through creativity and am lucky to do so.

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