Zoë Moss – FIRST CONCERT EVER

In this First Concert Ever segment, the dark pop artist, Zoë Moss, talks about the story of her first experience with live music. You can check out the story, after the break.

My first memorable concert was Bamboozle Roadshow in 2010 in Hershey, PA. I was 16, and it was my sister’s and my first festival. The lineup was so wild to us at the time, so we sprung for a single day VIP ticket. We saw Third Eye Blind, Good Charlotte (I had such a crush on Benji Madden) Simple Plan, All Time Low, Forever the Sickest Kids, and LMFAO. Boys Like Girls played an incredible set as the sun went down.

However, the memory I hold the most dear was heading into the VIP tent to see a smaller indie artist named Cady Groves. She was a favorite of ours and was playing an acoustic set to celebrate the release of her new album, Life of a Pirate. As the first song started, we sang along to the all too relatable lines, “It’s not easy to be this complicated. ‘Cause I lose my way, change my mind, and I’m more recently jaded.”

Cady was physically so tiny yet had such raw energy. Her slightly folky voice pulled you in, and her unique lyrical storytelling struck a chord with me.

“But I can guarantee you’ll never hear me say that all I want’s a home, a family, a porch swing. ‘Cause I wanna be a pirate
That’s one thing I’ve decided. It’s the only thing that could ever intrigue me.”

After her set, she kindly greeted and took a photo with every single person in the tent, and we all received signed copies of her album, a CD containing 8 records in a simple cardboard covering with green striped coloring and an animated sketch of her image. I’m sure I still have it somewhere.

Cady embodied what indie alt music could be for promising up and coming musicians. She had a cult fan base and whether signed to a major label (she was on RCA Records at the time) or independently releasing her own albums they were dutifully loyal to her and her unique sound. She was a “pirate” brought to life by her immersive records and sang of concepts my 16-year-old self was still mulling over. If you listen hard enough, you can hear her influence in many of today’s femme indie musicians.

This memory became even more precious to me, as Cady passed away this year, almost exactly 10 years after we saw her play her new album in the summer heat. I remember thinking she was the ultimate indie pop girl, ahead of her time, and a big influence on me and a new generation of alt pop pirates.

Keep up with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.