1/ So First Off - Tell Us your Name, City and Country and what you currently do for a living?
Caitlin Moss - Music to Curator
My name is Caitlin Moss. I live in Los Angeles, CA in the United States. I currently teach music and work as a drummer in a few bands.
2/ Is This Something You Always Wanted To Do? What Do You Enjoy About It?
I’ve wanted to be a musician since I started playing drums over 20 years ago. I’ve always loved the way playing drums feels, getting to be with other musicians, creating new things, being in the moment and performing in front of people. I didn’t realize I wanted to teach until I was working with youth in another capacity and realized how much I enjoyed it.
3/ Tell Us About Your First Musical Memory - Why Do You Think You Remember It?
I remember always putting the radio on and dancing in my room for hours. I remember just feeling free and loving the sounds of the music.
4/ Who Did You Make Your First Mixtape / Playlist For - What Was The Result - Did They Dig It?
I don’t remember making a mixtape for anyone else, but I used to make a bunch of mixtapes and mix CDs for myself, finding stuff on the radio or online to record and keep in my collection.
5/ What Made You Go Online And Search About Music Curation?
I had never thought about music curation at all. I actually had subscribed to a blog by one of your early curators, Ethan Hein, whose resources I was finding very helpful as I was planning a music production class. He mentioned in one of his email blasts that MusicTo was looking for curators, and I thought I’d give it a try since I had already been creating playlists for myself.
6/ Tell us about the name of your Playlist - where did that come from?
I thought of it as I was writing up my application to be a curator. It came to me because I always have felt music has been my refuge - before I started playing drums as a listener, and even more so as a musician who was compelled to play and learn more and more about her instrument. I was extremely shy as a kid, so music has been the main way I’ve been able to connect with people, whether through playing together or just talking about the music we love. Music has always allowed me to forget about uneasiness or any thing that might be bothering me, and I want to share the music that helps me feel happy and connected.
7/ What does a track have to have to make it onto your list, is there something special that you look for?
I’m definitely all about the groove and beat, but also the lyrics, interesting sounds, and arrangements. It might make me dance, nod my head, reflect or make me think about something mundane in a new way.
8/ What can an artist do in their track submission to your list to ensure that you'll listen to their track?
I always appreciate a description of their track that shows me they’ve listened to the playlist. Even if I don’t think it’s a good fit sonically, I appreciate reading people’s personal stories and how they’ve been able to relate with the message of the playlist.
9/ We know - these change all the time - but as of this week - what are your all time top 5 favorite tracks.
This is definitely tough! But here are some of my favorite of all time in no particular order:
Here But I’m Gone - Curtis Mayfield
Pot Belly - Lou Donaldson
Half Time - Amy Winehouse
Runnin’ - The Pharcyde
Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
10/ And finally - which Music to Curator should we interview next?
Tommi Tikka from Music to Celebrate Life