Special to Musiqtone

In the month of November, we go both old school and get a little spiced up. 

Out of all the You Gotta Knows, she has the most impressive record of all, studying music in Italy, performing in the decadence of nearby Florence, joining Christina Milian as among the youngest songwriters to have their pieces done by other acts, can sing in four different languages (English, Spanish, French, and Italian, quite rare in today's music world, and getting her songs heard out on commercials and movies.  Never has someone have such a pedigree and not even have their name bantered about in the mainstream.  Until now.  And for someone so young, she already has a musical philosophy in mind, “The percussion moves your body; the words move your soul.”

So what's her name? Her name is Mo Costin and Musiqtone got an exclusive with the young, up and coming talent from Los Angeles to get inside her head. 

The Interview:

Alan Ho: Thanks for taking time for this interview. So, tell, our readers a little bit about yourself.

Mo Costin: Well, I was born in New York and I moved to Los Angeles when I was two. My family and I moved to London when I was five, and I have been traveling ever since. I was signed to Sanctuary Records a few years ago in London and recently moved to Los Angeles where I am currently in a production deal with Peter Amato and Jess Sutcliffe.

AH: I have got to ask this, a couple of my people want me to ask you this actually: How did you get the name Mo from your given name Consuelo?

MC: When my little sisters were young, they couldn’t pronounce Consuelo, so they started calling me Mo and it just stuck. Thank god it wasn’t #@!

AH: All right…let’s get to the good part: Was music always a part of your life growing up or was there something you wanted to do before the music bug bit you? How did you get your start performing?

MC: I loved gymnastics. I started when I was two, entered a squad in London when I was six and even trained in Paris with Olympic coaches when I was seven. When I was eleven I had to make a choice. I chose Music. As for performing, I was doing television commercials at six, and singing in hotel bars at eleven.

AH: What made you decide to go to Florence for music school? How has that helped you with your development as a musician?

MC: I was on a mission to find a new experience. I found the Italian language and culture so beautiful and romantic that I was drawn there. The music school that I went to specialized in Opera and Rock, so I really learned about breathing and finding the power in my voice.

AH: I like your philosophy on music; explain to our readers what you mean by that.

MC: Thank you for saying that. I feel that the beats and rhythms and melodies make you do everything from crying to dancing. The words are the chapters in the story of my life. I don’t think I would be a singer if I didn’t write. Writing lyrics keeps my memories alive.

AH: Who are the influences in your music and in your career so far?

MC: Madonna, Tracy Chapman, Gwen Stefani and Annie Lennox.

AH: Getting one of your pieces on to Popstars must have been exciting. How did David Foster get his hands on one of your pieces and what was it like being the youngest songwriter on the show?

MC: My stepmother managed Eden’s Crush, so she gave my song to David Foster’s Label and they loved it. They wanted to use it, and thought it would be a great part of the show for me to be there while the girls were recording. It was an incredible honor to have my song recorded by another artist, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to sing it myself.

AH: What’s easier, writing a song or performing the song live to hundreds of people?

MC: I don’t think either one is easier. Writing a song could take you fifteen minutes or two weeks. It just depends. Performing live I feel that once you connect with the audience it is an indescribable experience, although I wouldn’t call it easy.

AH: Why is music important to you?

MC: I think that I have had a pretty crazy life and this is the greatest way for me to express myself. It’s easier for me to explain my true feelings through a song then in conversation.

AH: Out of the songs you have playing or spinning out there, which one defines you?

MC: Not sure. “Numb” or “Dirty Girls”?

AH: Finally, what are your goals, short and in the long-term?

MC: To take over the world!! No only teasing, I want to be able to write and record all over the world, travel, learn different languages and keep having incredible adventures that inspire more songs.

Go to iTunes and Cd Baby to buy My E.P (WWW.MOCOSTIN.COM) The Burn:

The thing or things you’d be doing if it weren’t for music…

If I wasn't singing than I would be acting

What’s spinning in your music player right now?

The Killers, Green Day, Madonna

The things you can’t live without as a musician

My 12 string Takamine and lyrics

Performing in a place like the Staples Center or a place like the House of Blues?

Staples Center

Music none of your friends (or fans) expect you to listen to

Enya, Michael Buble

The ultimate venue to tour in

Wembley Stadium

Which language was harder to learn: French or Italian?

Italian

Which act or acts would you love to share the stage (or bus) with?

Gwen Stefani and Madonna

Non-musical talents you carry

Dancing, Acting, Poetry, Tennis, Gymnastics

Three people you would like to have dinner with.

Oprah, Tom Hanks, Sting

Favorite food(s)?

Guacamole Burgers

Your most embarrassing moment on stage.

I played in Central Park with Vanessa Carlton, Mya and Tweet for MTV2 and my top kept falling down in front of 7000 people.


-Alan Ho is the founder and chief head of Musiqtone...and also the guy who writes incoherent articles whenever he wants to...oh yeah and the interview thing too. You can reach the big man at Musiqtone at alanho@musiqtone.com.




(C) 2005 Musiqtone. All Rights Reserved. Any part of this interview cannot be used without written express consent from both the representatives of Mo Costin and Musiqtone.