Chloe Moser on “Egocentric,” Vintage Music and Funny Faces
Though Chloe Moser describes herself as someone who prefers to listen over speaking, it is clear based upon her long-standing music career and lyrical aptitude that she has a great deal to say. After entering into the music industry aged fifteen with her first official 2018 album, “Beach City,” Chloe rose to official success after various of her covers and original releases grew increasingly popular on TikTok, many of which danced gently between a culmination of her indie, pop, alternative and jazz influences. In the wake of having spent four years within the industry, her most recent track, “Egocentric,” is one of her most special and deceptively cutting tracks yet. The single, alongside the newest incarnation of Chloe Moser’s music, was released in February of 2022.
Editor Caitlin Andrews had the pleasant opportunity to ask Chloe a few questions about her favourite vintage jazz, how she feels as a young woman in the music industry, and what it was like growing up with a mum who played in a Pat Benatar cover band.
Caitlin Andrews: Welcome to Periphery Magazine, Chloe! How are you feeling?
Chloe Moser: “Thank you! I feel great! I was very excited to get your email asking to do this interview.”
CA: Congratulations on the recent release of your single, “Egocentric”! Can you walk us through the process of what writing that song was like? Given the lyrical themes of dealing with the fallout from an egocentric partner, was releasing this track a cathartic or emotive experience for you?
CM: “It's interesting because I wrote that whole song in one night, and recorded and produced it in less than a month. It's songs like those that almost always come out the best. Just like any other song, writing it felt like such a release. It's almost like therapy, especially when people love the song and relate to it.”
CA: Across your YouTube channel, you’ve previously released covers of songs written by a variety of musical artists, including everything from Margo Guryan to Fountains of Wayne. Are there any artists who have particularly shaped your musical journey? As a self-appointed “old soul,” if you had to pick five tracks from before 1980-ish to represent who you are as a person, which would you pick?
CM: “There are definitely artists that have shaped my music and that have inspired me over the years. Jack Johnson has always inspired me since I was little because his music is so intimate and real—it's like there are no boundaries. Cavetown is another big one because I used to watch their YouTube channel in high school and see how they would make music from scratch in their bedroom studio, so that inspired me to make my own little set-up too. If I were to pick 5 tracks from before 1980 to represent me as a person, I'd pick “Overs” by Simon and Garfunkel, “I Should Care” by Julie London (or any song from that album hehe), “Junk” by Paul McCartney, and “It's Always You” by Chet Baker is a really good one.”
CA: What’s your happiest memory? What’s your unhappiest? Have you written a song about either?
CM: “My happiest memory is honestly probably my last show I did at the Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach! It was such an intimate show and it was such a great time. My unhappiest memory... I could get so deep and sad but to keep it light, probably just sad moments from my childhood. And YES, I have written so many songs about it. “Feels Alright,” “Get Sober,” “Speed Bump”, and “What If” are a couple examples."
CA: Several of your earliest releases, including your 2019 album “Beach City” were written when you were around fifteen years old. Has your experience of more-or-less growing up in the industry been positive or negative? What kind of person were you at fifteen, and how have you changed in the past four years?
CM: “Honestly I wouldn't even consider myself "in the music industry" because I have always released my music on my own terms, on my own label, with all the decisions being made on my own. Because of that, my musical career has been pretty positive. When I was 15 I was very unapologetically creative, and super willing to record at any time, no matter what the outcome may be. Now, at 19 years old, I struggle with getting up and recording a song if I feel like nothing good will come out of it. I doubt myself a lot more for whatever reason, and I put a lot of pressure on myself about producing and recording a "proper" way. But I'm trying to unlearn those nasty thoughts, because you don't need to be a fantastic producer to create fantastic music!”
CA: What do you think is the overall best era of music, and why? If you were given the opportunity to travel back in time and witness any significant moment within the history of music, which moment would you pick?
CM: “I think one of the best eras for music was the early ‘70s. It feels like music from that time was so carefree and creative. Stuff was still a little jazzy and loose, and had no boundaries. I am also a big fan of jazz in the late ‘50s. I would love to have seen Paul Simon perform live in his peak, because I watch videos of him from the 70's playing live and it gives me the worst FOMO [Fear of Missing Out]. If I ever had the chance to see Julie London sing live in 1957 or something, I think I would pass out.”
CA: According to an interview you did with VoyageLA, your mum was actually in a Pat Benatar inspired rock band! How do you think her music career has helped or hindered your entry into the music industry? In what ways do you think your experience as a musician differs from hers, especially in relation to the way the music industry has changed over the past few decades?
CM: “Yes, my mom is in a Pat Benatar tribute band! When I was little, I would always go to her band practices and her shows. My ears are forever damaged from that, but it taught me about expression through music; not just from my mom singing, but also her bandmates. Watching people make funny faces while they shredded on the guitar was always so funny to me, but I also understood it, because they were just feeling it! My mom also used to write a lot of music and I would watch her record in studios and stuff, so that always inspired me too. My experience in music differs from her a little bit because I was more inspired by recording, rather than playing in bands. I always wanted to do my own thing all by myself. Creating your own career in music and being an independent artist has definitely become the norm these days.”
CA: You’ve previously described yourself as a listener and makeshift advisor. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given (either in relation to music or on a personal level)? As a person who prefers to observe, what are some things you typically notice about people when you first meet them?
CM: “The best advice I could give about music is to just let go. Feel what you feel and do not EVER feel ashamed for it. People love music that is real, and relatable. As a more observant person, I'd say the first thing I notice about people is how much they listen. Sometimes people just like to talk about themselves in conversations. It's nice to talk to someone when they are taking in what you're saying, asking questions and being present. Those are the kinds of things I notice.”
CA: Are there any releases you have planned throughout the course of 2022 and beyond? Do you have any goals or ambitions for this year?
CM: “I have a couple songs that are ready for release, I just have to get them to a point where I think they sound good enough to be put out. I never usually set goals for myself, I just release stuff when I want to and it usually works out! I probably should be more organized like that, but it's nice to be on my own terms. I've actually been thinking about looking into getting a manager because I feel like I need help with managing myself and marketing, but we shall see!”
CA: Where can Periphery’s readership find you?
CM: “You can find me on Instagram at @chloemosermusic, on Twitter at @chloemoserness, youtube.com/chloemoser, and on any streaming services under my name Chloe Moser!”
Periphery Magazine thanks Chloe Moser for her contribution, and wishes her luck with future releases! You can find her on social media and streaming platforms here: