Being in a Female Band

Mooz wanted to stand up for women as independent musicians. There was definitely a sense of solidarity shared between four women in a male dominated industry. We did not want to be moulded or stereotyped. We loved the empowerment of being in an all-female band. 

Mooz was not just an all-female band, it was our band. Each member was completely unique and open, so that all members had freedom of expression. As a band of women, we brought a different energy with us to the stage. The energy we brought to our music expressed who we were as people and our relationship to each other and our audience. 

“Being four women was an important part of who we were, but it was also more than about being four women – we all got on as people, complimenting and challenging each other. If one member had been different, male or female, the dynamics would have changed, and it would have been a totally different band. A different balance of personalities would have created a different dynamic and created different music.” – Paula

We nurtured a supportive environment to make music on our own terms. Working within a band where we all felt valued gave us the space to explore creatively, openly and honestly without judgement. There was a sense of freedom in working within an all-women group, our personalities worked well together – we had a sense of time and space to create at our own pace – we could be creative without interruption. 

It’s clear that you are all equal within Mooz. How does it affect you, that with most people the focus goes directly to the lead vocalist?
– ‘Decode’ magazine, interview by Tara Molloy about 2001 – ‘Rebel Moozic’

“It does happen, but then you just realise that they don’t get it and don’t get us. I think we are really strong as a band, so you don’t need one figurehead because we are all equal and we are not really into that ego thing. It is really interesting, because a lot of things we do make statements that come across without us having to say anything. Like when we started out, we never thought of ourselves as being a woman band, we just wanted to make music. But then it became apparent that we are representing women – just showing that females can do it, can make good music. I suppose it is a bloody shame that it becomes a focus. I mean hopefully at the end of the day it is on the merit of the music.” – Rasha