Singer-songwriter Kacy Moon started her journey to a music career at a young age, belting out Shania Twain tunes on a karaoke machine to imaginary concert audiences. However, she would take a detour from singing that would lead her down changing paths that would diverge and ultimately bring her back to her first love, music.
At the age of 5, Moon left singing behind and “fell into” karate, and through it, she would discover her love of performing on a stage. She would go on to become a member of the world’s most sought-after karate teams in the world. By the age of 9, performing worldwide for hundreds and thousands of people.
After winning 8 world champion titles in martial arts, Moon realized it was time to pursue a career in entertainment. She found some success in acting, but her real love, music, began to call her back. Moon would begin her musical journey by going to Los Angeles to find a vocal coach and start writing songs.
Kacy is currently working on a few projects like a possible tour next year. Although there is no forthcoming album, there will be another new single release in August, followed by two more singles.
I recently interviewed Kacy via email about her latest single, her martial arts career, her music video, upcoming projects, and much more.
Congratulations on your latest single release, “What Do I Do”. What is the concept/theme behind it?
Thank you! It’s about a boyfriend who changed in the relationship. It felt like they weren’t the same person I met. But since I had invested all of this time and still had love for this person, I was stuck wondering do I stay or do I go?
Your previous single “Guarded” was released in January 2018. Are these two singles a preview to an EP or album and if so, when will an album or EP be forthcoming?
I wrote Guarded over 2 years ago and recorded it with a different producer, so even though I released it earlier this year I still hadn’t quite found my sound yet! Shortly after that I met my producer Szabo and everything just fell into place – we worked on 4 songs together (one of them being ‘What Do I Do’), so there are definitely a few more singles to be released this year!
Explain your production process.
I always like to show up to a session with a song concept in mind or some lyrics. From there my producer and I will usually figure out a tempo and general vibe, then we start writing the melody and incorporating lyrics.
You started out very young with an interest in music, but you got “detoured” into karate at the age of 5 which ultimately led at the age of 9 to being on XMA, one of the most sought out karate teams in the world. What was that detour that got you interested in karate? What countries did you travel to as part of the team? What was that experience like?
I was 5 years old when I started martial arts, and it was literally just because I saw a karate studio and told my parents I wanted to try it! But I had such a drive to break out of my comfort zone and do something more than I told my parents I wanted to compete. I started going to local competitions and then moved my way up to bigger ones, which is where I met my coach Mike Chat who saw potential in me and asked me to join his international team ‘XMA’. With XMA I traveled all around the US and the UK and it was amazing. I’ve been able to see so many places and really developed a thick skin and a drive to persevere at a young age, which is very important to have in the music industry.
Explain how competing in karate alone on stage in front of hundreds and thousands of people helped you to discover a love for performing on stage. How does that compare to performing as a singer on stage?
Just knowing that you’re one person on a stage and you’re able to command the attention of a large crowd is exhilarating. I think it compares because whether its martial arts or singing, you’re performing. I fed off the energy of the crowd and vice versa.
You went on to hold 8 world champion martial arts titles and appearances on The Ellen Degeneres Show, ESPN2, and Good Day LA but decided to pursue a career in entertainment. After so much success in martial arts, what made you realize you needed to change careers?
I had pretty much reached my peak in competing. My karate coach was a former blue Power Ranger and he mentioned to me that I should pursue a career in entertainment. When he said that I immediately jumped at the idea. To me, that was the next step. I just always had big goals and aspirations for myself. I’ve always loved a challenge.
After your decision, you said you had some success in acting. Tell us about your experience. Did you act on stage, film, musicals, or television?
I did a few commercials and short films!
What made you decide to give up acting to get back to pursuing music?
I don’t want to say I ‘gave up’ acting because it’s still something I love and want to pursue! But music has always been my passion, ever since I was 5 years old! When I started coming out to LA I wanted to find a voice coach and start writing music. I became serious about it when I was about 15, and wanted to put all of my time and focus into it.
You have worked with Don Cromwell of Air Supply, recorded music in Raphael Saddiq’s Los Angeles studio and recently are writing and recording with producer Szabo in Sydney. How did you meet them and get these opportunities? What was it like to work with them?
Don Cromwell was the first producer I ever worked with! I met him through an entertainment attorney. It was such a great first experience. I met Szabo about a year ago. I was in a studio in Sydney and met him. We kept in touch and in March of this year we lined up some sessions and made 4 songs! It was such a blessing to meet him because these are some of my favorite songs that I’ve ever done.
Explain how you choreographed martial arts movements into your music video for “Guarded”. Will you do the same for live performances? Why or why not?
I’ve never had this happen, but as I was writing the lyrics for Guarded, I was envisioning the music video. I made the lyrics go hand in hand with martial arts so that I could tie it into the music video and it would make sense. For my first video, I really wanted to merge my two worlds together! As for the choreography I just kind of made everything up on the spot! My song was playing on a loop and I just did what felt right in the moment. It’s so cool to see your vision come to life! I definitely want to incorporate some of my martial arts into live performances! I feel like its different and unexpected.
How do you think women in indie music can be supported more?
I think it would be a lot easier if other women supported each other! A lot of the times, especially in LA, girls fall into this cattiness where they don’t want another woman to have more attention than them. There’s enough room for all of us! Put the jealousy aside and just be happy for each other and each other’s success.
If you like a song, put it on your Instagram story! Bring attention to it in any way you can.
What advice would you give to women thinking about pursuing a career in music?
Keep going. Don’t stop. Just because you have setbacks and things that don’t go your way, doesn’t mean you should give up. Perseverance is key! You have to work your butt off because you never know when your opportunity will present itself and you have to be ready.
What projects do you have planned for 2018/2019?
I have a lyric video I just released for ‘What Do I Do’, a new single coming out next month, and two more singles to follow. I’m so excited!
What are your tour/show plans for 2018/2019?
I’m working on a few things at the moment, so hopefully will have some dates early next year!
Thank you, Kacy, for the opportunity to interview you!
Follow Kacy on Social Media:
Instagram: kacymoonmusic
Twitter: kacymoonmusic
Buy ‘What Do I Do’ on iTunes
Steam ‘What Do I Do’ on Apple Music
You can also stream ‘What Do I Do’ on Spotify
Watch the new lyric video for What Do I Do: