MoZella interview

interview by Bill Palmer

The soulful singer from Detroit has a new album out on Motown Records, but MoZella is currently receiving perhaps the biggest exposure of her career from a Verizon Droid “iDon’t” commercial that uses her new song “Magic (Oh Oh Oh)” – which is ironic, since she’s an iPhone user. In our interview, MoZella talks about how her Motor City roots played into her latest album as well as her favorite iPhone apps…



Your new album is called Belle Isle. I take it you spent some time at Belle Isle in Detroit while growing up?



Belle Isle is an island in the middle of the Detroit River. It was named “Beautiful Island” by French explorers when that area of Michigan was first settled.  It’s not quite as beautiful as it once was and I decided to name my album to bring a little recognition and appreciation back to my hometown. As a kid I used to repeat “Belle Isle” over and over again.  I thought it was such a pretty name. Through the 80′s and 90′s it got a little sketchy, but it’s actually become more gentrified in the past few years. ABC’s “Crash Course” films their TV reality show there.



As a Detroit native, what does it mean to you for your new album to be coming out on Universal Motown?



It’s pretty funny that I moved all the way to LA to end up BACK on Motown.  I’m very proud of that though. I’m such a huge fan of Motown music.  It’s in my DNA like everyone who hails from the Motor City. “Belle Isle” has a vintage Motown feel and that was sort of my way of paying homage to my hometown.



Some of the songs on the album including “Freezing” have a pretty throwback feel to them, and the album artwork looks straight out of the 50′s. What is it that attracted you to that motif?



”Belle Isle” is my way of saying thanks to the generation that gave us such amazing music. When my mom saw the album cover, she said it reminded her of the 60′s and hanging on Belle Isle in the summertime with her friends. Her cousin got locked in the trunk of the family car on Belle Isle when she was a kid. It’s a pretty funny story! Most Detroiters have their Belle Isle memories from when times were better and life in Michigan was easier. This record is my attempt to keep the love of Detroit and Motown alive in the hearts of the people. It’s still a very current record but it respects and praises the Motown music that shaped all of us.



I also chose to make an album with a retro feel because my voice lends itself to that style and I’m a bit curvy so the clothes work too!



On the new album you sing “I’m moving to Manhattan and I’m never looking back” – is that just another lyric, or is that something you’ve actually considered?



I moved to LA when I was 18 to try and land a record deal. The odds were against me and it was a constant uphill battle. I’ve grown to have a love/hate with Los Angeles. I definitely love the sunshine of the Golden State (and all the opportunities it’s given me), but I have this fantasy of running off to a tougher and much cooler NYC quite often. When things get hard or I get hungry for change, I always think the Big Apple will make it better. New York has become my emotional playground where I entertain all my fantasies.



My song “Manhattan” is a story of leaving and making it on my own in life. So it’s a song for anyone who has ever left their small town and went for their dream in the big city.



Your songs have appeared in TV ads for everything from Mercedes to Nivea, and now “Magic” from your new album is in the Verizon Droid ad. What kind of impact do these commercial placements end up having on your career?



I’ve been so lucky with commercials, film, and TV placements. Over the years I’ve had so many! It keeps the lights on in my apartment! “Hurry Up and Choose” was just used on “The Hills” last week and”Manhattan” was used in “The City” this week. I’ve gained so many loyal fans from all these opportunities!  The new Droid/iDon’t ad has been crazy! The YouTube clip of the commercial has 1.3 million views!



Speaking of Magic, it wasn’t on the advance copy of the album, but it’s on the official release. Was that a last minute addition?



I wrote “Magic” after I turned the album in and the packaging was done.  So when Verizon asked to use the song we scrambled to get it up on the digital album. Ironically it’s mostly iTunes selling the song that is used in an attack ad against them. They are so smart! Money is money I guess!


Despite the Droid ad, we all know you’re an iPhone user. What are some of your favorite iPhone apps?



That’s the other irony. I LOVE my iPhone.  I really love the T-Pain app for when I’m really bored. Oh, and the Doodle Buddy rocks! My 9 year old cousin and I draw silly pictures together with it! I also LOVE having a built in GPS to show me which LA freeways are a parking lot and alternate routes while driving. Ooh! And the calorie tracker is great for when I’m trying to be healthy!

Belle Isle is available now in iTunes. Learn more about MoZella at MoZellaMusic.com.