My lord… what could possibly be more intriguing than a beautiful, lefty singer-songwriting guitarist? You’d have to scratch your head for some time to find that answer – our latest feature, Malina Moye, brings just about everything to the table, from her superb guitar work to her room igniting vocals, this lady is a talent to appreciate. Hell, she even told us she could make up a song using our XXQ’s (which would really, really make our days) if we asked her to – partially because it’s a natural gift for Moye, and partially because she’s spent two years on Sony’s songwriting team. You may have even heard her work before – from her song “Girlfriend” in 2003 to her single “Alone” in 2004.

However today, Moye is putting her Fender Stratocaster to work on her latest EP, “Diamonds & Guitars”. She gets into what to expect from the effort: “It’s funky, more than most because of my fuzz-wah style of playing riffs and leads. On top, there are sassy vocals. I mix a lot of tones with catchy melodies. There isn’t a recording artist out there doing what I’m doing, other than maybe Alicia keys. As a musician, it’s as real as it gets.” And I love how she describes her sound as “Alternative R&B” – it’s so accurate –  “A lot of people say my sound is different because I play guitar with the strings upside down (the high E string on top), as opposed to the standard way. My normal is different than most.”

While it’s clear you need to see Malina in person, here’s some extra incentive – she’s knows what the hell she’s doing up there, sharing the stage with the likes of Prince and Robin Thicke. She’ll out and about on the road supporting “Diamonds & Guitars” so check it out and get into the XXQ’s for so much more.

XXQs: Malina Moye

PensEyeView.com (PEV): Tell us how you first got started in the music business? Has playing music always been something you’ve wanted to do?

Malina Moye (MM): Yes, I’d say my love affair with music started from my parents. They were in a band called the Techniques. My brothers and I would always try to imitate them. I was especially enamored with my mom and wanted to sing and move like her.

PEV: What kind of music where you listening to growing up? What was the first concert you attended?

MM: I grew up with a healthy dose of great artist like Sly and the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, Chaka khan, Graham Central Station, Prince, and Tower of Power. People say I have an old soul. I think it was my parents. We were really little, I remember being in the studio when were like 5 or 6 yrs old watching my mom and Dad from backstage. There were thousands of people. Right then and there I was hooked.

PEV: Tell us about your creative process… What kind of environment do you have to be in to make music?

MM: I can create anywhere. Heck, I will probably come up with something from your questions. I love words and notes and melodies. I can hear songs from the breeze. I’m motivated and inspired by everything.

PEV: if we can’t see you live we can view many of your live performances on your site but for those that haven’t seen it, what can fans expect from a live Malina Moye show?

MM: A lot of energy, I dance with my guitar and try very hard to make you forget about everything and just have a great time. I’ll capture your spirit and bring it along for the ride. From what others have said to me, it’s like I become someone else. And then of course I tell you to buy my record after the show…hee hee.

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

MM: I was nine, I was performing with my cousins and I loved it. I even remember standing on my Mom’s suitcase with a wire hanger as my mike. Since then, as my brothers say, Malina is doing the same things, but well-rehearsed with her guitar. And of Course the audiences are bigger. I’ve been blessed to support some big artist like Robin Thicke and headline a lot this year. I’m looking forward to more of it.

PEV: What can fans expect from your latest album, “Diamonds & Guitars”?

MM: A different twist, I hope it transcends genres. There’s Soul, Rock, Hip-Hop, some Blues. It has all the influences from my musical history that have inspired me over the years.

PEV: How is “Diamonds & Guitars” different from other albums out right now?

MM: It’s funky, more than most because of my fuzz-wah style of playing riffs and leads. On top, there are sassy vocals. I mix a lot of tones with catchy melodies. There isn’t a recording artist out there doing what I’m doing, other than maybe Alicia keys. As a musician, it’s as real as it gets.

PEV: How would you describe your sound? And what do you think it is about the your style that has made you so successful?

MM: I would probably describe it as Alternative R&B, because It’s definitely R&B but there are so many different color tones to this record. For instance on Nobody, its funky and raw, yet mainstream. Sexy Man is a modern take on Hendrix’s “Foxey Lady,” but with a 70s touch--Soul Rock.

I think being a unique player has made me think outside the box which has gotten me pretty far. A lot of people say my sound is different because I play guitar with the strings upside down (the high E string on top), as opposed to the standard way. My normal is different than most.

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about you?

MM: I’m so confident on stage, but sometimes I think everyone hates me regardless of how many people are cheering.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you?

MM: When I was in the 3rd grade and my teacher told me that normally children don’t think about adding different modulations to Frosty the snow Man and that I should really consider music as a career when I get older.

PEV: What one word best describes Malina Moye?

MM: DRIVEN

PEV: As a musician, you live a lot of your life on the road. How is life on the road for you? Best and worst parts? Any fun stories?

MM: I love it. I am grateful that I’ve seen a lot of the world, but yet so much to conquer. I’m actually becoming friends with the employees at the airport because I’ve been there so many times. Whazzup, y’all!

Fun story: I opened for Robin Thicke last year in Orlando and on one of my songs I’ll sometimes pull a guy on stage and serenade them. So I saw this guy raising his hand really hard, trying to get picked and I said “Man, you look like my brother.” Well low and behold it was both of my brothers, T-Why and Junior, who flew out and surprised me! I had a big fight that year with one of them and I hadn’t seen them in eight months. So I brought them on stage and sang to them, and I was in tears. The whole front row was crying. It was a special night.

PEV: Do you find yourself often going back to one theme in your songwriting over another?

MM: No, But If I have a problem with someone or something, my songs seem to incorporate that. It’s weird. I guess social issues are pretty common in my songs. I feel everyone has a chance to make something happen in their lives if they’d only apply themselves. That’s kind of a deep, hidden theme in a lot of my songs, but it won’t usually be overt.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your musical career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

MM: My ‘homies’ are very cool and always say, “I knew this is what you’d do with your self.” I returned home this summer and it was great, because when I left I was talking about wanting to make it and when I came back, the Mayor gave me a proclamation from the city and declared it Malina Moye day. Then I got a chance to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s tribute to Michael Jackson in Cleveland which is where I heard MJ for the first time as a child. What can I say—full circle.

PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?

MM: Shopping at Neiman Marcus, or window shopping at Harrod’s in London, or my personal favorite--catching the re-runs on Lifetime. What can I say, I’m a simple girl.

PEV: Is there one artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?

MM: Several; Prince, who I think is my musical husband and I love everything he stands for musically. Eric Clapton—he defines Blues-rock and is a must! Robin Thicke, he is so talented (and we’re heading to the studio soon). Jay-Z—With me on the guitar and vocals, him rhyming…Fiyaah! Something with Bite! And the late great Michael Jackson.

PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

MM: A few, I like Chrisette Michelle, Hal Linton, I really like Orianthi, I’d love to colab with her as well.

PEV: If you weren’t playing music, what would you most likely be doing for a career?

MM: Neurosurgery. Chief of Neurosurgery Surgery, actually, because I couldn’t just be one of the average neurosurgeons (hee hee). It sounds like I’m making a joke, but believe it or not, that’s what I’d want to do.

PEV: Tell us what an average day is like for you?

MM: If I’m in Los Angeles Wake up, breakfast with coffee, gym, roll calls with agent, manger, publicist, head to studio, dinner, play with Coco-Bama the cat, watch a movie on Lifetime in the studio lounge. Plan the next day, go to sleep. Repeat.

PEV: So, what is next for Malina Moye?

MM: World Domination! Promoting the new record, with radio tours, in stores, performances, and hopefully heading to Europe early next year.