Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Bella Moulden; is a full-blown sonic alchemist from Buffalo, NY. A bona fide rockstar who has been weaving her songs from dreams since a young age while building her own world, one song at a time. She’s played basements, soldered her own gear, and taken her witch-rock vision across Sweden, France, and the UK.

And, the best has yet to come.

Rockstar Culture editor Carlos Londono interviewed Bella via email, asking about her creative process, what inspired her to pursue music, and her newest single, “Stat!c Brain.” 

Let’s take a deeper look at who Bella Moulden is.

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Getting to know you…

-What’s the story behind your stage name?

It is my nickname. My first name is Isabella and my last name is Moulden. Pretty simple. Nothing cool, unfortunately.

-Your description on Insta says ‘Time Traveling Rockstar Space Witch’ – tell us more about that.

‘Time Traveling Rockstar Space Witch’ was sort of a nod at my ever-changing style, music, and being. Time traveler in the sense of my fashion staples and music style. Space Witch because I am a witch with a strong connection to cosmology. Or maybe I am lying and I am actually from the future. I guess only time will tell. Does anyone want a free tarot reading? 😉

-For me, it was my dad that influence my love for music. How did you discover music? Was it the same for you, a peer or family?

I would say that my mom and dad greatly influenced my love for music. They aren’t musicians, but they’ve always been music lovers. My mom introduced me to music from the 80s and my dad introduced me to the hip-hop from the 90s. From there I went down the rabbit-hole and discovered music throughout all the decades before.

-We love your style! Your look is constantly shifting. How do you approach fashion and visuals in your artistry?

When it comes to my fashion and visuals, I think a lot of artists don’t realize they don’t have to stay in one box. The artist is you–the art is what you create. That is not going to change if you decide to wear bell bottoms or a pair of bloomers. I am a storyteller, so my visuals and fashion is based on the stories I am telling. Recently, I have been in this Rococo-esque phase, or what I dubbed Rockoco for the sake of the stories I am trying to tell. My recent songs have been in riddles, oracle driven from dreams I’ve had–and with the theme of the dreams, I chose an era which to me fits the narrative. I wish my answer was as simple as ‘because I do,’ but I try to be well thought out and intentional with everything I do in regards to who I am as an artist.

-What’s been the most memorable performance so far in your career?

Oh, what a lovely question! This brings back a grand memory from my first show ever in the London last year! I performed at The Troubadour with the guys from Rival Karma as my band and Lydia Latudi as an opener (look her up, she is amazing!!!!) and it was just beyond magical. As always, my signature is going off the stage and shredding on the floor. I just remember going back to the hotel covered in sweat and glitter. It was amazing to meet fans in person, people who knew the words to my songs is such a surreal experience, I can’t even explain the feeling. I really love my BellaDonnas.

What shapes you…

-Who are your biggest musical influences?

This one is one my favorite questions because I will always answer it the same for interviews. Prince. Hendrix, Nicks, and Bowie.

You started your music career at the young age of 9. What inspired you to start?

Seeing Prince on MTV replay playing Purple Rain. I asked my family a dozen questions about him and it inspired me to become the singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer I am today.

-How did your upbringing shape who you are as an artist today?

I moved around a lot growing up. Like a lot–a lot. I am not an army brat, no, my parents had a penchant for moving town to town in Erie County and then to a different state a few times. It was really hard on me. I would go to different schools, meet new people and I would create different personas, styles, and identities just because I could–just because I knew it wouldn’t last. It was until I realized I was losing myself and who I truly was, when I accepted myself. What grounded me during those times was music, it was the only things that felt constant. It was like the music was screaming at me to be myself, to take off the silly masks, but I was too afraid to listen. However, with the experience I had with things constantly changing around me, I was never afraid to change. In a more positive way, I directed my adaptability and my ‘mask’ skills into experimenting with different sounds and different styles. It made me unafraid of metamorphosis.

-If we were to ask you to play us a song that defines you, what song would it be?

Right now? I would say ‘What’s Up?’ by 4 Non Blondes.

-Who or what inspires you to be better?

Humanity inspires me. Inspires me to wake up every morning, to try, and to be better every single day.

On Creativity…

-What does your creative process look like?

It is a bit sporadic. But recently the routine is sleep, have a dream rooted in absolute despair, write the dream down, make lyrics from it, then creating the instrumentation. I wish it was more exciting, but I like being honest.

-How do you stimulate your creative flow?

Waking up early or staying up late, no in between! Start off the day with a good coffee from the pot and some music that inspires me.

-I see that you play multiple instruments. Which one did you learn first, and is that your go-to instrument when writing a song?

I learned piano first when I was 9 years old. No, it isn’t my go-to, not usually. My favorite instrument and the one I go to for creating a song is…BASS!

-How do you decide when a song is truly finished, or do you see your work as always evolving?

I try not to think about it or else none of my songs would ever get released. My work is always evolving. I would be sitting at my desk for a millennium if I did not just close my eyes and hit send. Perfection doesn’t feel human to me so I try not to strive for it.

-You often narrate stories that aren’t your own. What draws you to writing from imagined lives, and how do you balance that with the more personal, grounded work you’re creating now?

My dreams! That’s the source to all these little imagined lives. And how do I balance that with the more personal work I’m creating now? I don’t. I’m still trying to figure that out. Maybe that’s the point. Or maybe I am saying that’s the point to make it seem like I have it all figured out (I do not).

Keep it fun…

-You are always creating! What are some of the things that you do to unwind?

I’ll read books, do a little mediative ritual to ground myself, solder something together, sit outside in nature, play video games, learn something new, sit amongst my physical media like a queen, watch old movies, and listen to music. The list goes on and on. Oh, and take naps! I love a good nap.

-If we were to get in your car, what album/band/artist would be playing?

System of a Down most likely!

-If you were told tomorrow that you are headlining a tour; which two artist/bands would open for you?

Lydia Latudi and Rival Karma :)))

-On the flip side—who would you wish that they would take you on tour with them?

I’d say Jack White, The Black Keys, and The Velveteers

-What are three albums you can’t live without?

Paranoid – Black Sabbath, Toxicity – System of a Down, and Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

Let’s get serious…

-You just released a new song, “STAT!C BRAiN.” What inspired this new project?

Brain rot and AI slop inspired STAT!C BRAiN to be honest. Going outside and seeing everyone hunched over on their phones. Sitting at the table with family and they’re hunched over on their phones, laughing at whatever thing they scrolled upon. The “let me ask chatgpt” people. People who use AI for the arts. People who listen to AI music. We are so desensitized and oblivious. These companies are stripping away are bodily autonomy for free and we just give it to them willingly just for a drop of dopamine, ever so fleeting. No one wants to think anymore. No one wants to be bored anymore. It’s okay to be bored, that’s when creativity happens! We are addicted to our own demise. The song, just like Sweet, Sweet Lullabies and The Tower is in the same theme of ‘wake the hell up, read a book, and go outside!’ The songs aren’t that enigmatic, at least I don’t think.

-You’ve earned respect from major artists while staying fiercely independent. How do you protect your creative freedom while navigating industry attention?

Yeah, I suppose I did. I don’t think about it, though. I’m always so caught up in what I need to do next and what I am probably doing wrong. I protect my creative freedom by keeping a distance from the people in the industry that believe music is a product for profit and not an art that must be cultivated. This is not to say I won’t collaborate or even sign with someone. It is a matter of being introduced to people who truly believe in the art of music and in me. I built all of this on my own and I am at a point where I will not allow anyone to strip that from me, however, I will allow someone to help cultivate and better the foundation I already laid down. I am thankful to be in a situation where I do not have to compromise myself.

-What’s the most challenging part of being an independent artist?

Doing everything on your own.

–What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Go at your own pace. Don’t let yourself get lost in creating a product or you lose the heart of what you are trying to create. I have this ability to tell if a song was made from this sort of ‘product urgency’ versus one that was made from the heart. There is nothing wrong about wanting to get noticed or ‘viral,’ but if that is your only goal, you may want to reconsider because it will all get old very fast. Don’t force it either. You’ll just burn yourself out. Trust me.

-What’s next for you?

Wherever the road takes me… I don’t wish and tell. 😉

Check out her newest song released, “STAT!C BRAiN” now!

Check out the official video for her song, “Voyager.”

Check out her song, “Season of the Witch.”

I would like to thank Bella for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to keep following your always evolving career, and can’t wait to catch you on tour!

Check out Bella at the links below –

Instagram

Facebook

BellaMoulden