Tag: Malina Moye

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call, Music

She’s played for the Queen and channels Jimi Hendrix. Blues guitarist Malina Moye is coming to Allentown
Photo: Josh Shultz

For guitarist Malina Moye, who’s left-handed, upside-down guitar wizardry instantly conjures up images of Jimi Hendrix, it’s always been about the blues.

Drawing inspiration from her own personal experience and with a genre-defying mixture of tone and style, Moye’s albums have felt right at home on the Billboard Blues Charts. Her 2018 release, “Bad As I Wanna Be,” even reached No. 1 for two consecutive weeks.

In addition to being an in-demand performer on her own, Moye is often asked to take part in other musical endeavors, like the Experience Hendrix Tour where she performed alongside
other guitar greats like Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. She’s the first African-American woman to perform the national anthem for a major sporting event and was even invited to perform “God Save the Queen” to honor the Queen of England’s 60-year reign.

This summer, Moye will be performing two back-to-back shows in Allentown. The first, on Friday, June 21 at the Civic Theater in Allentown, is part of a benefit for Rush Arts Philanthropic Foundation. The following day, June 22, Moye will be taking part in Allentown’s 16th annual Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival.

I recently spoke with Malina Moye about her upcoming Allentown appearances in this new interview.

Q. What can fans expect from your Allentown performances?

Malina Moye: I always hope to bring excitement and fun. We do a high energy show and it’s always about keeping it fresh and making it cool. I’m excited to meet new people, saying hello to old friends and fans and just having a great time.

Your Friday show at the Civic Theater benefits the Rush Arts Philanthropic Foundation. How important is it for you to be a part of this benefit?

For me, being part of a benefit, especially one dealing with the arts, is very important. I think that when you get to a certain place part of your job is to give back. The reason I’m where I am right now is because someone poured into me. So, if I can be part of something that can make someone or something better then please include me and thank you.

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Malina Moye by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV, Music, Women Who Rock

Interview: Guitarist Malina Moye discusses her upcoming acting role in new film, ‘The Samuel Project’

It’s been an incredible year for guitarist, Malina Moye. Not only did the beautiful, multi-talented artist release her genre-defying collection, Bad As I Wanna Be, but the new album also marked Moye’s first #1 album on the Billboard Blues album chart and featured songs that infused the best elements of funk, rock, blues and soul.

Now, Moye sets her sights on another side of creativity – acting— where she’ll make her big screen debut in the Marc Fusco directed film, “The Samuel Project.”  The story centers on a teenager named Eli (Ryan Ochoa) who, for a school art project, gets to know his Jewish grandfather, Samuel (played by the legendary Hal Linden), who was rescued from Nazi capture as a young boy. Moye plays the role of Violet Leroux, a bohemian art director who befriends Eli and shows him what’s possible with his gift.

Moye also penned a song specifically for the film. The emotionally charged anthem, “Enough,” which features her sultry vocals and guitar wizardry. The track is also featured on Bad As I Wanna Be.  The Samuel Project hits theaters on Friday, Sept. 28.

AXS recently spoke with Malina Moye about the film, her new single and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: Many people know you for your infectious brand of guitar playing. Was acting something you always wanted to explore as well?

Malina Moye: It’s something that I started to discover early on in high school. I remember a friend of mine had asked me about filling in as an actor for a project she had been working on. I did the scene and really enjoyed it and got a lot of great feedback. At one point, I remember having to make a decision on whether to pursue acting or music. I obviously chose music because it was my passion and calling. But when this opportunity came up, it was another way for me to express my creativity.

Click here for an introduction to Malina Moye.

AXS: What attracted you to “The Samuel Project” – was it the story? Your character? Getting the chance to work with some of these other amazing actors?

MM: It was all of the above. Everyone wants to show what you can do, and this was a way to show people another side of me. It’s a character I thought I could really bring something to and have people see me in a different light. Ryan Ochoa plays the teen my character befriends and I help him realize what’s possible with his gift. Hal Linden is such a legendary actor, so to also have a few scenes with him was unbelievable.

AXS: What else can you tell me about your character?

MM: Violet’s a classy, bohemian art director with a great personality and is one of Samuel’s favorite customers. Whenever she comes in she brings the greatest energy, light and all things positive.

Click here to watch the trailer for “The Samuel Project.”

AXS: What are some of the differences between performing music and acting? Is there one that gives you more creative satisfaction?

MM: When you’re on stage playing it’s a whole different feeling. That stage is the set and there’s no do-over. You feed off the energy from the audience, and when you get off stage at the end, you’re amped up. It’s the fifth gear of entertaining. With acting; and especially if you’re doing a deep, heavy scene, it can take a lot out of you. But that just shows you what an incredible instrument your body is. You have to be present and in the moment for both, and that’s what I love about it.

Read the rest of my
Interview with Malina Moye by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Malina Moye Discusses Her New Album, ‘Bad As I Wanna Be’

Photo: Josh Schultz

Bad As I Wanna Be is the third album from acclaimed singer/songwriter and southpaw guitarist, Malina Moye. An album of genre-defying sounds that fuse elements of funk, rock, blues and soul and draws from Moye’s wide variety of influences.

A celebration of self, Moye draws from personal experience in songs like “Betta Than U” and “Enough,” the latter of which also appears in the upcoming film, The Samuel Project. Bad As I Wanna Be also marks Moye’s first #1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart.

Guitar World recently spoke with Moye about Bad As I Wanna Be and more in this new interview.

You mentioned that Jimi Hendrix and Prince are huge influences on you and your playing. What was it about their artistry that appealed to you?

It was the freedom they evoked as artists in how they played; what they looked like, the clothes that they wore and the expressions they had when they played. With them, there was always one common denominator, and that was that it’s okay to be different. That’s what makes you you. I think that when it comes to the artists you love, in a crazy way, you see a piece of yourself in them.

How would you describe Bad As I Wanna Be in terms of its sounds and how it relates to some of your previous work?

It’s a continuation of my last album, Rock & Roll Baby, but with a more produced sound. I wanted to make it as close radio-friendly as we could, but not to miss the essential elements of the guitar. With Rock & Roll Baby, we made a guitar-driven record that showcased what I wanted to project. With this new record, I wanted to focus more on the songwriting and the melodic [and] draw on my influences from growing up in Minnesota. That sound is in my DNA. I wanted to explore that lane but at the same time continue to evolve and make it a little more contemporary. This album came from a very special place.

What inspires you when you write and create?

It could be many things. With the song, “Betta Than U,” that started when I was just tuning up. Other times, someone will say something or throw on a track and I’ll hear a melody and start to write. When someone touches a nerve, it’s amazing how your body and energy and the process of what you’re feeling reacts. It flows like a faucet.

Read the rest of my
Interfview with Malina Moye by Clicking Here.

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

‘Rock & Roll Baby’: Guitarist Malina Moye Brings Hendrix Influence and Blues Power to New Album

RockRollBabyThere’s a seductive passion and feel in Malina Moye’s guitar playing, as evidenced by her insanely good new EP, Rock & Roll Baby, which was released October 14.

From the infectious, funk-inspired single “K-yotic” (which features Bootsy Collins) to her take on the Jimi Hendrix classic “Foxey Lady,” Rock & Roll Baby is a high-octane experience of blues power.

In addition to being an in demand performer on her own, Moye also has taken part in the Experience Hendrix Tour alongside guitar greats Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. She also had the distinct privilege of honoring the Queen of England’s 60-year reign by performing her own rendition of “God Save the Queen.”

I recently spoke with Moye about her new album, her gear and more.

How would you describe Rock & Roll Baby?

It’s an in-your-face combination of Led Zeppelin meets Sly and the Family Stone, with a little bit of Hendrix thrown in. I love real music and the feeling it gives you. As a guitar player, I love the freedom of being able to express who I am in my solos. This is me, and this album is what I’m about.

What’s your songwriting process like?

It varies. Sometimes I’ll be on an acoustic and be messing around with riffs. Other times I’ll hear melody in my head and sing it into my phone so I can go back to it later. Then I’ll pick up my guitar and start putting the pieces together. Music can literally speak to you. It will tell you what it has to say. You just have to be open to it.

Let’s talk about a few tracks off the album, beginning with “K-yotic.” What was is like working with Boosty Collins?

Bootsy is incredible. What I love the most about him is how he’s able to spontaneously come up with ideas. I was messing around on the track, jamming, when the idea of having him on it came to me. I remember I sent the track over to him and said, “Hey, tell me what you think of this.” A short while later, he sends me a new track back with a note that said, “This is what I think of it!” [laughs]. It was hot!

You can read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with Malina Moye by Clicking Here!