“I’ve heard that most everyone believes in something,” Angelle Waltz says at the start of her bewitching “Moon Gurlz”. “But for me? Well, I believe in…y’know.” It’s a coy, playful demurral, typical of a song (and an artist) who delights in leaving blank spaces for the listener to fill in on their own. One gets the sense that Waltz knows something the listener doesn’t, and that if she told you what she knew all your preconceived notions of the world would be shattered–but she doesn’t tell, whether to protect you or just to amuse herself with a secret.
“Moon Gurlz” crackles with its own uncanny, nocturnal atmosphere. Deep, buzzing bass surrounds Waltz’ wispy vocals, accentuated by interjections of drums that hit like a punch to the arm. Waltz’ vocals are double-tracked to eerie effect, swirling around and trailing each other: the effect is like seeing a person and their mirage and not knowing which one is real. Sonically, the song reminds me of an earthy, moonlit answer to Laurel Halo’s cyberpunk fantasias, more organic but no less strange.
While Waltz namedrops witchy figures like Hecate in the lyrics, “Moon Gurlz” is far from magical kitsch. There’s something genuinely mystical here, surrounded by luminescent mushrooms in a forest clearing, framed by a moon that’s bigger and brighter than you remember.
What’s the story behind “Moon Gurlz”? Is there a reason why you spelled “gurlz” like that?
The story behind “Moon Gurlz”: I wrote this song in my apartment. The window there was in the perfect spot to see the Moon, so every night I would say “good night” to the Moon. I got a random creative energy one night and decided to make a song and of course, I sang about the Moon. It did not have a name for awhile until I showed it to my friends and we made a music video. I like how “Gurlz” is spelled because it’s fun and carefree and doesn’t follow the rules. That’s how I want my music to be.
I love the atmospheric, ethereal production on this song, as well as the way it interacts with your vocals. Who are your major influences when it comes to production? To vocals?
I think Grimes and Raveena influenced me because I love how true to themselves they are and I really look up to that. They don’t follow conventional norms. So, Raveena’s ethereal sound and Grime’s futurism have influenced my music.
How has your upbringing in Iowa affected your outlook on life and music?
I think that growing up in Iowa really isolated me from the Hollywood industry. But, it also made me discover myself and my style without others telling me what is right and what is wrong. I can do my own thing without being afraid I messed up because I am my own critic.
You’ve described yourself as “a bit of an adventurer”. How has that manifested in your life and career?
I would describe myself as an introverted adventurer. Being a little carefree allows me to make more bold choices when it comes to life and music.
How has the current pandemic affected you?
I think the pandemic has me thinking more. Of course, my mental state takes a toll (as should everyone’s in today’s climate) but I realize how much my friends and family matter. The people I choose to be around affects me as a human and I know they support me with what I want to do in life and will continue to do so and I cannot take that for granted.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope to go further with wherever life takes me. I have a lot of different adventures I want to experience in life and creating music is just one of them. I want to learn how to sharpen my craft by working with other creatives and continue to make people feel things. Being human means experiencing emotion to the fullest and creation plays a big role in that.
