MEET MO ETC.
Mo Etc. is a Soul artist based in Wellington, New Zealand, who uses her Samoan heritage to influence her songwriting, giving her work a certain degree of flair and authenticity. When she moved to Wellington—where she grew up—she went to the church a lot and was exposed to soulful choir singing by some Samoan people. The smooth and soothing quality of the melodies allowed her to learn how poignant Gospel and Soul music can be, and that foundation has given her creative works so much identity.
In an interview with Ones to Watch, Mo Etc. explained that she creates music that can be categorized under various sub-genres, but they are all linked to the Soul genre. She borrows various elements from those genres to fit the sound and character she wants a particular song to have. However, at the basic level, the feel and vibe of Soul are intact. Thus, her music helps create a feeling of comfort and coziness without sounding dull and more like other artists' work in the industry.
Mo Etc.’s music is authentic and captivating because she writes, performs, and produces her own music. So, she creates her own beats and designs the arrangements that help her express herself in the most natural and exciting way possible. Thus, she uses her experiential knowledge of music and art to write stories through her lyrics and deliver them through her musical compositions and productions. She has created songs that hit hard and feel great to get lost in. She was intrigued by this art form, in fact, by the ability to tell stories in a unique way.
What’s impressive about Mo Etc. is that she’s wholly a multi-talented artist and performer. Even without formal training in music theory and writing, she has managed to wow her listeners in the little time she has been in the music scene. She is, however, trained in acting and theater from the New Zealand Drama School. She also works there as an actor and director.
Mo Etc. has effectively collided the two art form worlds beautifully by being the director in her latest music video. This video is for the track New October, which is a part of her eight-song album Oceanbed, released in 2021.
Mo Etc. hasn’t released any new music since then, but we’re anxiously waiting to hear more of what she has to offer. She made her debut in the music industry with the radio edit of her single Genius! in 2021. Thus, even in the little time she has been around, she has given listeners beautiful pieces that feel authentic, are undeniably unique, and tell great stories that people can relate to. While her fan following is still working its way up, we hope more listeners share her music after learning about her powerful vocals and calming compositions.
