Chuck Shute Podcast

Moriah Formica (Plush)

August 15, 2022 Moriah Formica Season 4 Episode 270
Chuck Shute Podcast
Moriah Formica (Plush)
Show Notes Transcript

Moriah Formica is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. She appeared on The Voice in 2016 and got 4 chair turns (this is really good). She released a solo record and would later go on to form the band PLUSH, who’s debut is available now. The band has opened for Evanesence, Sevendust, Slash, Halestormღ, & MammothWVH. They have some big festivals lined up, as well as shows with the Alice In Chains/ Bush/ Breaking Benjamin tour. We cover this all in the episode along with good/bad advice she’s gotten, dealing with trolls, fishing and more! 🤘🏻

0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:48 - Last Name 
0:01:26 - Early Musical Beginnings 
0:03:22 - Discovering Voice Talent & Music Lessons
0:05:45 - First Live Performance 
0:07:07 - Rock Vs. Pop Music 
0:10:06 - The Voice Experience 
0:15:05 - Miley Cyrus Advice 
0:19:40 - Michael Sweet of Stryper 
0:24:00 - Singing Steelheart's "I'll Never Let You Go" 
0:25:30 - Keeping Voice in Shape 
0:29:45 - Lizzy Hale from Halestorm 
0:31:53 - Clearing Band Name Confusion 
0:33:06 - Song Meanings & Guidance Counselors 
0:37:30 - Introvert, Time Alone 
0:40:15 - Tony Harnell from TNT & Support 
0:42:58 - Chickelback & Trolls 
0:49:05 - Age Difference 
0:50:55 - Tours, Management & Festivals 
0:56:26 - Fishing 
0:58:42 - Snakes & Slash 
1:03:09 - Animals & Veterans 
1:03:55 - Outro 

Plush website:
https://plushrocks.net

Animal Charity website:
https://www.humanesociety.org

Veteran Charity website:
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Chuck Shute website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

Chuck Shute:

Hey guys, I'm really excited about this interview with Mariah for mica from the band plush. Such a talented singer songwriter and guitarist. She's doing amazing things with her band. They've toured with slash of an essence, hailstorm, Allison chains, Bush Breaking Benjamin Sevendust and others they've done some big festivals with bands. And we cover a lot in this interview including her appearance on The Voice and advice from Miley Cyrus, her connection with Michael Sweet from striper how Lizzy Hale helped the band find their guitarist, her common non music interest with slash her thoughts on internet trolls and much much more. So stay right there thanks so much for having me. Yeah, so Mariah, it's for mica not for Mike. I think everyone mispronounce or some people missed. I thought it was for Mike. And then I heard you say for mica, I was like, okay. So

Moriah Formica:

yeah, it's for Mike has become like a second last name to me. So I'm like, you know, or it's okay, but I totally get it. It's like the countertop.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Do you correct people when they mispronounce it, though, and say actually, it's for mica or?

Moriah Formica:

I honestly really don't. Because I It doesn't bother me too much. But I only tell people that they asked me. Gotcha. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

So yeah, so I think I know like your whole life story, meaning you're pretty young, obviously. But I think I don't know your whole life story. You started playing guitar at age five or six for song was back in black, right? Which is kind of interesting to me. Because, you know, like, people who are younger, that's like an older person song. So when you heard that from your dad

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, I my dad just raised me always on like, you know, a bunch of 80s Classics. And he always had, you know, like, 80s Pop videos going on and, and even some of the 70s You know, stuff like he always had going so yeah, I just kind of was a rocker kid from from day one.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, so then the other stuff like that, because you'll obviously later get into like Evanescence, and Paramore. You just discover that on your own.

Moriah Formica:

Well, my parents also loved I remember that my parents always had this Evanescence. They had the Fallen album, always playing in the car, like on long road trips, or whatever. And I fell in love with Bring me to life when I was like, probably like five. And so I had known of that song. But yeah, it wasn't until like, maybe 11 or 12 that I really started getting into Evanescence.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, but I knew you didn't start playing guitar like five or six. But you didn't start singing until nine. When you try this. hokey? So did you never like just sing along even to the music? Did your parents never hear you sing in the car and stuff? Or?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, I really didn't. I was a really quiet kid. And I didn't really, like I would sing along with, you know, like, under my breath or whatever. But I was never. I never thought of it. Uh, I was never thinking like, Oh, I wonder if I have a good voice or not like, I just was sort of. I just loved music and I love I like to sing, you know, along to it. But it was never something that came up, I guess. I guess nobody really did hear me.

Chuck Shute:

So then how did you? I mean, because you're a shy kid, and you're insecure. But at age nine, you get up in front of all these people and sing karaoke. How did you? Did you just not even think about it at that point? Or how did you like psych yourself up to do that?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, I didn't really what it was, the thing was, as my friend and I were in my room alone, just the two of us doing karaoke. And so I kind of had some, yeah, so I had some competence by then. And then I think, like, one of the adults came in the room real quick, just to knock or something and be like, hey, you know, I think the food's ready or whatever. And they walked in, on the karaoke going on a little bit. And then, um, then they were like, Yo, do you know that Mariah has a voice? Like, did you know that your daughter can sing? And people were just like, What? No, and I think that people expected, you know, just like this. I don't know what people are expecting to be honest. But the next thing I knew everybody was coming into my room. And then I really just realized I was like, Well, okay, because at that point, I wanted to know what it was about to I was like, do I have good voice? Like, can I say, No? So

Chuck Shute:

and it was just a natural thing? Like you didn't you hadn't like practice it or taking lessons at this point?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Yeah, totally. No. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, so sorry, go on.

Moriah Formica:

Oh, no, it's okay. Okay, I wasn't gonna say anything.

Chuck Shute:

No, so I was just saying I was gonna say so then the next thing is that this is this part of the story, I think is really cool is that your parents like, really are supportive. And so instead of telling you like, hey, you need to get a real job. And this is a hobby. They're like, they want you to go all in they get you like voice lessons or guitar lessons or both. And then yeah, did you worry Then school rock, or no, that was the other members of the band. Yeah,

Moriah Formica:

that was a Brook and Ashley, I believe there was the rocks, the, you know, the School of Rock program together. But I did, I went to like a similar thing. That place called modern day music upper near where I live in upstate New York. And that's just a really amazing place. You know, and they have the same kind of little band programs for the kids and stuff, which is really a huge, huge pivotal point in me realizing that I wanted to be, you know, I wanted to do this. I wanted to be in a band, you know?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Was it fifth and sixth grade? That was that when you first performed? For there was something you did like I have a tiger and stuff like that.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Oh, my gosh, you do you know, everything. That's awesome. Yeah, no, it's Yeah. Fifth grade, I did I have the tiger. And for my school chorus, and it was funny, because I was like, my music teacher was like, So you play guitar? And I'm like, Yeah, you know, I play guitar, and I love it and whatever. And and then she was like, Well, why don't you come play? You know, I just, can you play the song for me after school? You know, because we're doing this in course, I want to I just wondering, you know, and I was like, oh, you know, I don't know, like, I don't, I don't feel comfortable, whatever. And, and my little brother Gabriel, who is like, he's, he's so outspoken. He was like, shall do it. She can do it. I promise you. She was like, she can do it. I promise you. Yeah, like, she can learn it. She'll do it. And I'm like, can you stop Shut up? And he's like, no, like, You, you, you'll do it. And so next thing I knew, I ended up playing after school. And I got to hand it to my little brother, because he wasn't going to let me say no. And I would not, I wouldn't know what it was like to perform if it weren't for him and my music teacher in fifth grade, so. So all

Chuck Shute:

these encouraging you and kind of pushing you helped. Because I think when you were like 16 somebody who was this person that told you that you're wasting your time with rock, because you really love rock, and they told you you're wasting your time. And you said that was like, heartbreaking. So it's like, how did you move on from that? Because clearly, they were?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, well, just different, you know, industry people and because, you know, when at that point, I had want my catalog. But at that point, I had, you know, I we, you know, really wanted to make it and really just be able to make a living doing what I love and just, you know, be set and kind of so you know, you reach out to different people and stuff like that or just whether it was people who used to be in the music industry that were in my life that I had known. I'm just basically saying, you know, yeah, I agree. You know, your your daughter's really talented. etc. But the rock thing is not going to cut it. You know, it's not it's not there's no money in it anymore. There's no no one cares about it. You know, it's, it's she's wasting her talent on it. Like it's, you know, it just all sorts of stuff like that. Just BS and yeah, it was really heartbreaking to hear that, you know, at first. So yeah, but I'm really glad that I chose to stick with my guns and who I really am, you know,

Chuck Shute:

though me too, because I love rock. I mean, I think there's some good pop music too. But was there a time did you consider pop music do you consider going that route? I know you like Lady Gaga on you know I go to and so that would have been a route to go but

Moriah Formica:

yeah. I love I do I did consider it actually for a little while probably for like a year, I actually started writing a bunch of pop songs and, and trying to you know, create a different sound and we had these all these photos ready to go and whatever. And then I was just like, You know what? No, I can't I can't do this. It does. It doesn't feel right. It doesn't. And I was thinking might one of my big things was I'm like people are gonna know it's not even something that's not it was just obvious that I'm not really a pop star. Like I'm not a pop person. I'm not a I mean, I love listening to pop but as far as you know what I do in my craft? It's not it's just rock really, you know, it's just rock and roll. That's what it is. And I don't think that there's any way to see around that so I just came to the conclusion that it was not what was gonna happen.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no one especially because the guitar you're such a talented guitarist. So what you wouldn't not a lot of pop singers play guitar. So then yeah, yeah, that'd be another thing.

Moriah Formica:

That would be so weird.

Chuck Shute:

Right? So this around the time that you So you had your salt your solo band and your solo album, bring it on. And then was that it was shortly after that, that you did the voice, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Yes. Did that bring?

Chuck Shute:

That must have brought a lot of attention to that people go back and then listen to your solo stuff after you're on the voice.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, I got honestly, the voice was a huge kicks. I mean, it really was kind of like the Kickstarter for my career. And I, you know, it did it got a lot of exposure that's like, that's the number one thing that comes out of those shows, in my opinion, at least is like, just the exposure, the sheer amount of people that get to see you and, you know, and all the experiences that you get to experience. But yeah, it did bring a lot of, you know, fans to, you know, because it's instant recognition, and a lot of people came in and started listening to my music and, and, you know, and the first thing that people would say is, well, you know, I'm an 80s guy, and I love I saw you on the voice and I listened to your stuff. And it's, you know, it's gives that classic feel and stuff and, and that was another thing that really helped me solidify my place and rock to was having all the, you know, people who saw me on the voice reach out and say, Hey, I, I came back to listen to your other stuff. And, you know, I just love that, that you keep true to yourself and that you stick with rock. And that gave me a lot of reassurance that what I was doing was the right thing.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. So at that point, had you had enough shows and concerts that you had more confidence? Because I mean, before like you were, you know, you're scared to perform for the choir teacher and now you're on national TV. I mean, even if you've done shows, that's gotta be it. That's obviously a different level. Like did you must have gotten nervous. How did you get past that?

Moriah Formica:

Oh, yeah, I didn't. I couldn't even like, I went out there. And I was like, Oh my gosh, oh, no, my knees are like jello. I was like, I really hope I can stand up on doing this. Um, it was, it was a lot of just a lot of talking with my parents. My parents are huge thing in this, obviously. I mean, it's all because of them, actually. But, um, you know, a lot of talk with my parents and reassurance from them. I a lot of prayer, I prayed all the time, you know, that. You know, I always be like, God, please like, just let the air flow open up my lungs, the notes in the air flow out, like, because my thing is, it's you know, you get panicky and then you can't breathe. And so if you can't breathe, and you can't sing. And so I don't, I don't really know, honestly, what got me through, I think I just music is my it's just my happy place. And I was just like, You know what, I came to a point where I was like, I know that my physical body is going to be absolutely out of this world nervous. And so I just knew that I had to somehow find a way to put that aside and just focus on what I what you do, like, just do what you could do. Do the best that you can, you know, if if you get your returns great. If you don't, that's all right. So I just eventually came to that point. And I think that that's how I just blacked out. And I just focused on the song I was playing. I think that that's all you can do in that moment. Because it's, you know,

Chuck Shute:

right, because it was the first song that you see I've ever watched the voice the most of the first I've seen is your clips. And so the first thing I saw was you doing heart and you're playing guitar and you're singing and you nailed it. And I think was it was it Miley Cyrus that was the first person to turn around. And then the other three, like, I feel like they all copied each other. They're all like, oh, well, we'll alternate and you know what I mean? Like they didn't know. But Miley Cyrus, like you knew talent right away. She's like, boom, and turned around. So sometimes they don't turn around.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah, sometimes they don't. Yeah, I know. And so it's so then it's adds this, it's not enough, you know, that. You're already stressed out, you're like, oh my gosh, I'm gonna have to perform in front of people like Adam Levine, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Blake Shelton. It's like that they're the top of the industry. So it's like, it's that's already and so much anxiety and nerves. And then there's the added stressor of man, I really hope I get a chair turn, you know, because all you need is one all you need to run and that's all of our goal. Yeah. So all of our goals were just let's just get one. That's all you need, you know, um, and so yeah, it's a very intense thing, emotionally and mentally, to be on those types of shows.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, so I don't you didn't you didn't win it. Right. But so then do you get some sort of constructive criticism or advice that you that you thought was helpful?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, I really I, one of the, it goes back to kind of solidifying the whole, you know, me being a rocker and, and only a rocker was, um, you know, you do your you have wardrobe there at the on set. And each contestant is assigned to stylists. And I remember, one of them was really one of my stylists was really trying to put me in like, you know, just sparkly platform heels and this and that. And I'm just like, man, that's not you know, that's not me. It's not. And, um, I came in the next day. And they were like, yeah, we can just do the outfit that you wanted. And I was like, oh, okay, that's awesome. And I, we showed up to practice later that day. And Miley Cyrus was like, hey, I really I told the glam team to kind of really leave you alone. And just let you do let you, you know, pick your outfit for this round. Because I really think that you're just so authentically you and that you shouldn't really be touched. And that's not your thing. And so that was a big piece of, you know, she's like, just don't let people tell you that, you know, you should look like this or do that or, or that you can't. You know, you can't be who you are. And that was one of those things that really helped me also solidify. Okay, I'm doing the right thing. I know who I am. I'm, you know, it was one of those things that really piece of advice is that really helped solidify as a 16 year old, you know, because you're still trying to solidify who you are as a 16 year old. Yeah. So that was a really pivotal piece of advice. And it really it meant a lot to me, you know. So that was one of the biggest piece of advice that I took with me, that really helped me.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, well, I think and you got another similar piece of advice from 80s. Guy, John, wait, I love this piece of advice. You said, this is some of the best advice you ever got. It was similar. He said, don't listen to anybody else do what you feel is right. And I thought about that. I was like that really is really good advice. And I think about some of the things where you try to listen to other people, and you do what they are trying to tell you do and take their advice. And it usually doesn't work like you usually know.

Moriah Formica:

Right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Like you were, I assume you're just about to say like, deep down your, you know, like your gut. Your gut, really, it's nobody knows what you need more than yourself. Like. Unless you're like a little child, and it's, listen, sometimes it's Yes, mother knows best I understand. But it's, you know, there are some things that you just know, and I feel like your gut never lies to you, at least for me personally, I've never had a situation where my gut felt really strongly about something. And then that, you know, and then it led me astray. I've never had a situation like that. So you know, and it's one of the most common things I feel like that a lot of people hear is, hey, follow your gut. Because it's, it's true.

Chuck Shute:

No, yeah, cuz I do a lot of these interviews. And I think that's a lot, especially the people that have been in the business for many, many years. A lot of the 80s guys will tell me that they'll say things like, you know, I wish I had just been myself and listen to my instincts and not you know, the managers because, you know, sometimes the managers know things, but yeah, like, I know, like, one of the most famous examples is that I don't know if you remember the band Dokken. But yeah, yeah, so So talking was rock group. And they were managed by these guys who went on to manage like Metallica and stuff. But they were they were telling the doc and just Hey, guys, like be yourselves like and Doc and wanted to do these, like, I don't know, if you saw, like, their costumes. And they, I mean, you look back now and they look ridiculous. And they were and they say later, you know, with hindsight that that advice was good advice, just to be ourselves and not try to do these costumes and things. So yeah, I think that's awesome that Miley Cyrus solidifies that by telling you, be yourself Be authentic. That's very cool.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. And it was a very, yeah, it was a very reassuring moment for me for sure. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Right. Yeah. She knows she hasn't been through it. Now. We you have your first solo album, bring it on. You also had Michael striper. Like, is on that. I think you're on are you on his album too? How did you get hooked up with him?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, so I, I was out about like 1414 or 15. i A couple of years before the voice happened. I was you know, I was doing my little solo game. gigs and, you know, I did a lot of solo acoustic gigs where I would just play a set for a couple hours and just set like, you know, local bars and wherever and there was a local venue that Michael Sweet was actually going to be playing at, he was going to do his own acoustic set. And they were looking for an opener. And actually, the owner of the music school that modern day music that I had talked about earlier, is he knew the owner, he's good friends with the owner of this, this place, and he was like, hey, you know, I think I have, there's this girl who's, you know, I think that she would be a good opener, and she really loves, you know, she's in that ballpark, and, and, you know, etc. And so I went and I played a couple of songs for the owner. And she, she gave me the gig. She was like, Yeah, you know, we'd love to have you and so I played that gig. And ever since then Michael Sweet was just so me and his wife, Lisa, kind of took me under their wing, and they just were so helpful. gave me so many opportunities would, you know, give me a lot of I had many other opening slots opening for Michael Sweet and striper. And it was just a really huge part of my introduction into the rock world, you know, and so I'm always forever grateful to them. And yeah, so I did have him do he did a solo. Bring it on the the actual song The title track of that EP, he did the guitar solo in that and he also did backing vocals on that. And then I did do a song on his solo album, one sided war. Called can't take this life. Very cool.

Chuck Shute:

And then did you see? So I don't know. Do you follow like The Rock news and the blabber mouth and all that stuff? Because then he said he praised your I can't remember. I don't know if this was on the voice where you did I remember I remember you the Skid Row song. Was that on the voice?

Moriah Formica:

No, that wasn't that wasn't on the voice I just did. That was one of my acoustic covers that I did. I think I would just put Yeah, I would just play it live. And yeah, so

Chuck Shute:

you played that and you killed it. And he said that you nailed it. You are better than the original singer, Sebastian Bach. And so Sebastian Bach sees that, and he calls Michael, Michael striper a pussy and I'm gonna beat him up and all this, like, you're kind of in the middle of this, like, fight between these two like legends. Like it must have been weird for your dad as an 80s. Rock fan to see that. I don't know if you saw that article. But

Moriah Formica:

yeah, I saw it. And I remember my dad was like, right, you're not gonna believe this. In I'm like, what? And he shows me the article. And I'm like, Get out of here. That's not happening. And I go on Facebook and Sebastian blocks just like trolling all the comments being like, Man suck a fart from my ass and you like, I mean, he's saying everything under the sun. And

Chuck Shute:

you just matter Michael for saying that. Right? Yeah, yeah,

Moriah Formica:

he was mad. He was mad at Michael Sweet, but I didn't I never I did feel really weird. Especially because I was like, 15 at the time, so I was just like, Look, man, I just covering your song because I love your song. And people love your song. And it's a it's a good, it's a great song. That's all it is. And so I was just sitting you're kind of like, alright, ya know, how does in the middle? You're like, oh, yeah, it definitely was was a little awkward.

Chuck Shute:

That's cool. I just had Michael suite on the show. And I saw that article. And I was like, and I knew that I had you scheduled for Monday. I was like, Oh, I have to ask her about this. Because I didn't get a chance to ask Michael it's filling up 30 minutes, but I thought that was really funny. I was like, oh, that must have been funny for you. It's like be in the middle. Yeah.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. And then funny. Yeah, you

Chuck Shute:

also did a cover of the Steelheart song I had. I had the singer of that band on my show, too. But you're saying your your version of that. I'll never let you go. That is not an easy song. To sing. Is it? I mean, or is it? Does that just come natural to you those high notes and things?

Moriah Formica:

No, that was not it is not easy. I when I heard that it was the reason I covered that song was because I during the pandemic, I started doing this thing where I would take requests from people. And one of the requests was that song. And when I first heard it, I'm like, I'm like, okay, maybe this can be one of the ones that I don't do. Because it was just so I was like, There's no way that this I was watching live videos of him doing it and I was just like, how is this guy human? It's ridiculous. And so, um, I it is I like belting is kind of my thing. I love it. It's just, it's just how I sing. I do I do. You know, and it's rock and whatever. So, but that song was very tough. And I didn't actually think I could do it when I heard it. But I, you know, I worked on it a lot. And I did a lot of work workouts that week, core workouts to help get that rep support. And then I just gave it a shot. You know, and I

Chuck Shute:

know that interesting. I didn't know. So the like, doing core workouts actually helps you, like sing better?

Moriah Formica:

Oh, yeah. Yeah, for sure. Because, yeah, cuz your diaphragm right here is really helps get all the air out. And it's responsible for your breath for your breath control. So if you don't, you know, if you're not using your core at all, it's, I've definitely noticed that on days where I do work out, or do like some sort of core, you know, exercise, it definitely is easier on my voice for sure.

Chuck Shute:

That's interesting. That makes sense, then, so, explain why some of the older gentleman struggle with because they if they aren't taking care of themselves, then it can be harder to sing, especially the high notes and such.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah, for sure. And, and a lot of people it's like, and then after you in it also makes sense, because it's like, after you sing a song like that, it feels like you just did some sort of ab work. You know, yeah. Because it's intense. It's, you know, there's a lot of a lot of muscles that are just, you know, super, just super, super intense. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

did you and you, you kind of didn't learn that naturally, or was that through voice lessons that you really learned how to use the diaphragm and such.

Moriah Formica:

That was definitely through voice lessons. I don't I because I knew that I was like, you know, okay, now I know, I can sing. But I really want to know how to use my voice. Because I had, you know, a bunch of people who were singers, and who were many, many years older than me who were like, Listen, you don't know how to use your voice properly. You might, it might not last as long as it can, you know, you want to prolong the life of your voice. And so that's the reason I started taking voice lessons. And I'm really, really glad that I did, because there's a lot of things that go into play that you know, that you wouldn't necessarily think do like, just starting with how you take care of your body. And I'm not the best, I always want to be better with that. But there's just a lot of things that because your body is your instrument and so really everything it does come into play, like what you eat what you drink. Is that going to give you like, do you have acid reflux? So then you have to watch what you eat so that you don't you know, that doesn't act up because that would erode your voice away. Like there are so many things that you know, that come into play that you that a lot of people wouldn't necessarily think. have a say in your voice.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, so what's your advice? Is there do you like booze? Do you smoke? Do you is it just junk food? Or what is it what is your What's the thing that you're like? Oh, I gotta cut that out.

Moriah Formica:

Um, I mean, yeah, I do. I like I like my weed. And I like you know, I like stuff like that. But you know, just that and and you know, I would like to just and of course there's always junk food that's always a thing. Oh well, what's the what's your biggest thing is hydration that's my biggest thing that I need to be better on is hydration that's my because I like a lot of things like you know, I'm obsessed with coffee I love coffee. And and that just that dehydrate your voice so my biggest thing actually that I that I need to work on is hydration.

Chuck Shute:

Oh when you drink like Gatorade and stuff those those like help like the hydrate more than waters that just you should drink more water.

Moriah Formica:

I mean mostly water but I do. I have to say that Pedialyte for me personally is a is a big thing. I drink a lot of pee VLA on tour. I mean literally bottles of Pedialyte, I just sit with bottles and drink them on tour.

Chuck Shute:

But I've heard that's a good cure for hangovers, too.

Moriah Formica:

Oh, yes. That too. It's a twofer, too.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, hydrate because that's what like a lot of hangover is, I think is dehydration, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, it is. 100%

Chuck Shute:

For sure. So, so getting into plush your band. It's amazing. So you met Brooke this part of the story is so cool though because you you add Ashley and then you guys needed a guitar player. And it was actually Lizzy Hale from Halestorm that that tweeted out your tweet or something like so she was already following you from the voice or how did she know you?

Moriah Formica:

I did I well, I had done a gig with with hailstorm I like I played a festival with them when I was like 15 Oh wow. years years and years ago they came to and it was being the the festival was at one of our local fairgrounds, like in not local, but close enough to where I live. And we got on that bill. And as you know, as Mariah for mica and I met Lizzie I met hailstorm there for the first time. And I had loved hailstorm for years before that, too. So it was like a I was absolutely starstruck. And so we had met there. And but yeah, you know, of course, of course, my family was like, oh, you know, she loves you. And she's also a musician. I'm like, Shut up, you know, and all this stuff. And so I think, you know, we crossed paths then. But then I think that at some point, she got a hold of she saw a video that I did have a cover of I'm the fire up ever since then. She just was so supportive and so sweet. And just so encouraging. And so when we had when we had formed plush, she was so willing to help out into you know, spread the word.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, that's very cool. Yeah. So then that and that's how you found the guitar player, Bella. And she was from Maine. Yeah. Sorry, the rest of your on New York, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

So we'll clear that up. Because I think that was there's this confusion. There's another band called plush. It's from South Africa. That is not you guys. And also the name is not from Stone Temple Pilots. Those two things, we can clear those up. You just thought plush. It's cuddly. But then it's like you come out rock and I like it. Yeah.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. You know, and it's Yeah, exactly. It's simple. It's, it's very, it's easy to say it's easy to spell. It's just, you know, and it just felt right. Um, but yeah, and that's so funny. Because there are there is this misconception that people that they're like, Oh, you guys are from South Africa. Right? We're like, no, no, we're not. And, you know, so I

Chuck Shute:

work if there's another band, is it because that band is defunct? So then you guys can still have the name or?

Moriah Formica:

I think so. Yeah, we? I mean, we haven't had any issues. I don't I'm not I don't know if that band is like I don't know if they're still a band. I because I think that they formed a lot like a while ago. But I honestly don't know.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, well, as long as they haven't sent a cease and desist. Yeah, so let's talk about some of these songs. I was listening to it again today. Just trying to figure out I'd like to try to figure out what is the song is about or who this Who is this about? These all? I know, there was a one or two girls that that inspired some of these songs, right? Yeah. Yeah. So like, is it like better off alone? Hate I don't care and will not when are those all about the same person? Are they about these two, two different people?

Moriah Formica:

Well, hate and better off alone, are about to different people. But will not win and I don't care. I don't care. Sorry. I don't care is about people, as all the naysayers that were like, you know, music is not a real career. Music is not, you know, you can't do this. Oh, you got to do. I mean, always, I mean, in school, talking, you know, because in middle school, you always got to meet with the guidance counselor's every, every semester or whatever, just talk about, you know, what you want to do? And oh, what colleges are you looking at? And so they can push you towards college and whatever. And I would always be like, well, you know, I, to be honest with you. I haven't thought of that right now. But because I'm in seventh and eighth grade, and I like seriously, and I really enjoy what I'm doing now. And I'd like to make a living out of it. And like, the way that these people will look at you when you said that. It was like, Oh, that's really cute. But you know, we got to talk about realistic straight up. Straight up. I had a guidance counselor told me but that's not really realistic. You know that right? Oh, wow. She literally said that to me.

Chuck Shute:

That's because I was a guidance counselor for 17 years. And I did that. And I, and I always was supportive of anything. I had a girl told me, she goes, I'm gonna open up a weed store. I was like, Alright, if that's what you want to do, I was like, she was 18. And she was great. She was like, ready to do it. And I was like, if that's what your dream is, I say go for it. You know, like, so that's interesting that they told you not to do it. No, no,

Moriah Formica:

no, I wish that, you know, like, and as I got older, and through high school, that was my experience with a lot of guidance counselor's you know, like my junior and senior year, they were, they were a lot of them. Were, you know, my guidance counselor was awesome. She was very, like, she's like, you know, look, I'm just concerned about you getting through this, I'm here to help you. I'm here to, you know, talking more about, you know, how are we going to help you get through the school year? And pass? You know, yeah, wasn't about, you know, she would always be like, I believe in you, if you want to do this. That's awesome. The same as you were just saying, and that's it. She was encouraging, you know, but yeah, I'll never forget that one guidance counselor that I had, who said that, and it wasn't one time, it was several times. And there's just overall general attitude of just being condescending if you had a certain career path in mind that didn't align with what they thought it should be. And so that's kind of what I don't care about. It's just kind of like, look, I don't care, this is my life. And just because you think that I should go to college, I mean, that's fine. But don't Don't you know, shit on my goals and my dreams and my passions, because you think it isn't realistic or whatever, you don't know if it's realistic for me or not? Everybody's different. Now, I understand having I understand the need for having a sort of, you know, a realistic perspective, that's, of course, you should always have a plan B. But you should never discourage someone just because of, you know, this the path that they see for themselves.

Chuck Shute:

Especially because you're doing it you were doing. I mean, I had kids that would say, I'm going to be a professional baseball player. And I said, You're not on even the high school baseball team. So I think your chances might Yeah, but like, but you're, you're on the voice and stuff. When you were in high school, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

I heard you're so interesting. You're talking about like, how you eat lunch by yourself. Sometimes you only have like one or two close friends. And you said the kids are like, is that the girl from the voice eating by herself? And you're like, but it was your choice. It wasn't like you're just

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, exactly. People would, you know, people would be like, oh, like, that's so sad. And, and my mom, my mom, I would tell my mom, you know, yeah, eat lunch in the hallway today. And it was great. And Braden Braden is my cousin. He went to my school as well. And we're really close. And, you know, sometimes he would come up and eat lunch with me. But other than that, I'm like, you know, I? Yes, she's like, Oh, that's so sad. Why I'm like, It's not sad. I just don't want to be around all these loud, obnoxious kids. You know, because it's like, they're, at some point in the lunch. They're like, they all start clapping about crap. And they all just like, they just do things that didn't make sense to me. And then I didn't want to be a part of it was annoying to me. So I just wanted to be alone. And yeah, you know, it's I have peace of mind. The way that I get my peace of mind is by doing solitary activities. That's just how I am. I'm very introverted. And so, you know, it was a okay with me to eat lunch alone.

Chuck Shute:

Did were there some kids that tried to like befriend you because you were on the voice and they wanted to be part of that or something or wanting to bask in your glory? Yeah, yeah.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Oh, yeah, definitely kids that I had never met before. I mean, I made a lot. I made a lot of friends just because of being on the boys. I mean, so it was. Yeah, a lot of people do. A lot of people come out of the woodwork and but I didn't look at it as Oh, you know, these people are so they're just, they're all just cloud chasers. And this and that, like, I get it. You know, it's, it's cool to know somebody who did who, you know, did something that's cool. And it's interesting. So I get that so I didn't so I, you know, I became friends with a lot of the people that came up and introduced themselves, you know, it's like, Oh, you were that girl in the voice? That's so cool. But there weren't but then there were people that I just knew I was like, not I don't you know, I don't I don't mess with that either. You know what I mean? Like, you could tell that it was just superficial and nothing else. Like they weren't actually interested in you as a person or Oh, that's so cool. You know, it's I'm very interested in whatever it was just it's just kind of like that superficial. Oh, I know this person. You know, remember that one time when like you dropped the Penny and I picked it up for you at lunch. That was fun, right? Like, you know, just like little things like,

Chuck Shute:

pretending like they were your best friend all along.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, exactly. So there's definitely a lot of that too. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Cool. So are you guys now this first album with plush? You wrote a lot of the songs yourself now the second the next album, you guys, we'll write more together. Right? Have you started working on that?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. We haven't started working, you know, on the album on the album, but we are in the process of trying to get some songs together and you know, hopefully a lot of writing to them together.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, what was the did you? Did you already record tracks? Or I don't I saw a picture of you guys with Tony Hoare. Now from TNT? What were what was going on there when you were doing songs with him or something?

Moriah Formica:

He had just stopped by to say hi, because we had played a couple gigs together in the past. And he we were in Nashville, and he lives in Nashville. And so we've been texting and he was like, oh, you know, what studio are you that I want? Can I come say hi. And I was like, yeah, like, of course. And so he came by and just just to say hi. And you know, just just to meet the other girls and stuff. And so yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, that's it. That was for the first album when you were recording the first album? Yeah, yeah. But you didn't say he didn't sing on it? Or would you have like guests like that, like having Michael suite or Tony Darnell, sing on a song or background vocals or something?

Moriah Formica:

I would totally be down for that. That would be amazing. I, especially now plus, it's like, you know, because when Michael Sweet, it's amazing. And I think it's amazing that he did that, you know, and was so gracious with his with his time and, you know, doing backups for me on on the Bring It On thing, but I was a little kid like I didn't. I was not anywhere near where, you know, I was still growing. I was a little kid. And it shows in, in my writing too. And so as it would be awesome to do that again, with plush, you know, now that I I found myself and you know a lot more and I'm you know, I'm an adult now and and, and I think it shows in my writing too. So it would be really cool to revisit that. You know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, it's cool. All these people were like so supportive and helping you out Lizzy Hale and Michael Sweet and Tony Hoare now like, it's just

Moriah Formica:

yeah, it's amazing. It's it's restores your faith in humanity a little because it's like, you know, it's that. That's also what I love about rock is there's always that sense of community. Because it is it is a community and it's it's everybody's just so I mean, obviously not everybody there's people in every, you know, area, but for the most part, things have just been super supportive. And just so all love, you know, just love and support. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Well, and you said it's funny. You laugh at like the trolls like you don't I mean, it gets you a little bit but I heard you like joking about how they somebody called you guys chicle back or something. And

Moriah Formica:

she called back that was okay, so that was your sound

Chuck Shute:

anything like Nickelback, but it's still it's a funny name, but it's not very accurate. I guess.

Moriah Formica:

It was. It was hilarious. We I mean, that's our our group. We made that our group chat name. So the four of us, the four of us made that our group check name, so it's trickled back. And it's hilarious. We saw that on you know what it was, it was blabber mouth. That's what makes it even more funny is because we were sitting everywhere like I swear to god blabber mouth, like most, like hire people to just say ridiculous, hilarious thing. Because we're just like, not who's that somebody was like, Oh, great, flush more like flush. And it's like, we hadn't even come out with a song yet. And so I'm like, No, are you that? It's just you guys are just saying this crap was thirsty and stuff up, but it was just hilarious because it was. It just was even funnier that came from blabber mouth because blabber mouth by far is the angriest comment section and but it's also the funniest because people just say ridiculous things like chicle back.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no, that is funny. That's funny. A lot of the comments on that. Yeah, I have to read more on blabbermouth. Even on like tick tock and YouTube. Sometimes the comments are funny on the actual video.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Oh my gosh, that's my first thing that I do always is like, if I'm watching a YouTube video, I'm watching it but I'm also reading the comments as I watch it because it's hilarious and it's so entertaining. And some of the arguments that people get into the comments too are so funny because it's like really arguing right now. And it's Oh, we also had someone said, Oh, great, Greta Van T. Someone Someone commented on on blabber mouth as well. That's pretty funny. hilarious,

Chuck Shute:

because I think I don't think they hire people. I think it's just that people will make comments. And then the funniest stuff or the most outrageous thing will get, like, you know, the algorithm will push it to the top because the most people like comment or whatever, and then at least I know, that's how I work on tick tock. Yeah,

Moriah Formica:

yeah, no, that makes sense. And it's funny, you know, it's, but it's some of the stuff that you that people say so ridiculous sometimes that you're like, This can't be a real person. Like this can't be, you know what I mean? So it's

Chuck Shute:

funny, sometimes, people get so angry, and it's like, yeah, why do you care so much? Why do you take the time to make this angry comment? It's really, it's like, it's more like you're like, worried about that person that made the comment more than you are.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. People find people will find any reason now to just, you know, be negative people to people just nitpick, they just do people nitpick, nothing is ever good enough for everyone. And that's just a fact of, it's just a simple fact, of not even just being, you know, in a band or being an artist, on social media, that's just the simple fact of having social media accounts, like people are just going to be rude sometimes. Sometimes, it's funny how people are.

Chuck Shute:

So to me, it seems like it's the people that are like really unhappy in their lives that take the time to comment and nitpick, like you said, or say something negative. That's just mean, that's not even funny. That's just like, like, nasty. And you're like, why would you take the time to make that comment publicly? It's like, I think it's like something wrong with our own life.

Moriah Formica:

That's my 100%. That exactly, it says so much more about. I know that this is like a cliche, but it's because it's true. And it's it says so much more, I think about that person 100% than it ever says about whoever they're commenting about because it's when you you must be in a low spot to actually get some sort of satisfaction from hurting somebody, or at least attempting to hurt somebody else. That is like, and yeah, it sucks when you first when we first launched everything with plush, and whatever. Some of the things that people say, especially as women, some of the things that people say are really discouraging. And it's sometimes it's just straight up depressing. It really is. But after a while, you know, you get you get used to and then it's like, oh, it's and then you don't even notice it. I don't I personally don't really read comments anymore. Because it was starting to really get at me because it's like, you don't like you were saying, you look at these people you're like, why would you say something like that? It's one of those things where it's disturbing to me, it was so disturbing to me to try and figure out this person sat there, type this message, and had a moment to realize there is a person on the other side of this screen who's going to see this about themselves. You don't know what they struggle with mentally, you don't know what they've gone through in their life. You don't know what you could say that could trigger them. You don't know what you're saying about their body that's that could make like you don't know, and you still sat there. And we're like, I'm gonna say this just because it gives me satisfaction to make them feel like shit about themselves. That always, that always really bothered me about that. It's not necessarily even what they say. It's just the disregard or for another human being that really disturbs me. Wow, like that. That's well

Chuck Shute:

said, that's, that's some wisdom for somebody so young, that's amazing that you're able to figure that out. So Young.

Moriah Formica:

It just is yeah, it's just something that really has always bothered me.

Chuck Shute:

Now, that's, that's amazing. Everyone always asks you, I saw some interviews that you've done. And people always ask you, you know, the struggles of being a woman and rock, but nobody ever asks you about the age thing because I think that would be a harder thing. You know, you're on tour and all these bands who are older, not necessarily being in a male dominated field, but being in a younger person in an older person's dominated field. Like that's a harder thing. Being such a young person around all these old old rockers basically.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah. Oh, yeah, it's very intimidating. It's very, it can be very intimidating and but it can also be a really great thing because when you have those rockers that the you know, the old rockers and the veterans of rock and roll that are just like hey, you know, you're doing great. Keep doing this you know, and hey, you know, you killed it tonight or, and they just give you little bits of wisdom and they give you encouragement, like Lizzy Hale and Amy Lee. When we went on tour with them. They were and both bands all the bands. Were just so supportive and welcoming and you could tell they knew they knew that this was our first big tour. So they wanted to make us feel as welcome and as comfortable and as encouraged as possible. And so and that was a really good thing, you know, and because it's true when you are young, so, so young, compared to a lot of these other bands it is it can feel very intimidating.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Just it's harder to relate, I would think because I, when I worked in education, I was working with a lot of women and that wasn't as big of a thing but just more so that they were a lot of them were older and they're talking about their kids and their grandkids and I'm like I got nothing I don't got kids. Yeah, those kinds of things I think are more of a that was more of a challenge at least for me personally, I don't know but yeah, your turn all these big bands. The Allison chains one that's the US show still lined up with its Allison chains, Breaking Benjamin and bush. That's a huge concert. Yeah. How did you get on that one? Is it because of you? Because I know you guys did that cover of down in a hole. And it was it's amazing. It's on? It's on. People can check it on YouTube is from Sirius, I think was on Sirius like Octane or something recorded it right.

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah. It was for the octane for

Chuck Shute:

how you got on that Allison chains. They saw that and they said we want you or was it something totally different?

Moriah Formica:

Um, I think it was through I think it was through our agency that got us through goddess art shows and stuff. I I honestly don't know too much about the booking of shows and gigs. But um, I it could have been that but I think I think it was. Our agents. Got us to gigs.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, because yeah, you must have a great agency or management because you're I mean, you're doing all this stuff you got, you had shows like we mentioned, hailstorm and Evanescence and then you did the shows with seven dust slash. And you even did a Late Night with Seth Meyers. I mean, that those are all huge things.

Moriah Formica:

Ya know, I gotta hand it to them. I mean, management and in our agency has been absolutely incredible. Getting us opportunities that we never thought that we would have, honestly, at least I didn't, I never could have dreamed, you know, and being being, you know, 21 and having, being able to say that, your band, you know, has had the opportunity to do all these things. It's, it's incredible with all these bands that you grew up listening to, you know, and that really have had an impact on you. So, really, it's so incredible. I'm so grateful to them. Is it still management?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, who is the management? I know your dad helps out too, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yes, yes. My dad is is one of our managers. Yeah, yeah, we're with pavement entertainment.

Chuck Shute:

Pavement. Okay. Laughter

Moriah Formica:

What is that? That's the label. The management is surface management, but the label is pavement entertainment.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, I have to keep that in mind because they're clearly doing a great job with you guys get you all these great gigs and great tours and one of them you're doing the let's say you just did these big festivals talk about that because you did the rockville Festival in May. And there was like kiss and Papa Roach and Five Finger Death Punch and then you're gonna be open up for kiss and Judas Priest again. Oops, did I freeze in the aftershocks festival?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah I'm so so excited for that. We that was a lot of fun the the rock the Welcome to rockville show in Daytona Beach. And it was so hot. But it was a lot of fun. And it was it was crazy to to say that you can that you're playing festival with you know, bands like you just mentioned like kiss and and so many amazing bands that were on that festival and and to be able to do the latter than Life Festival is. So we're so excited for that one as well.

Chuck Shute:

Well, okay, that one and then there are also the aftershocks. So those are those are those other two separate ones in?

Moriah Formica:

Yes.

Chuck Shute:

Okay. Gotcha. Is that do you like doing the big fest? What do you like best like a headlining club tour, like a tour with Alison Chang something like that level or the giant festivals which one's the best?

Moriah Formica:

It's tough because there are so many the pros and cons are so here's my favorite thing about festivals is our the crowds are insane. They're nuts. It's it's fun. They're there. They're just happy to be there. They will sit there all they've they literally stand there all day and they're sweat in the heat and you know, and they're they just have their beer and they're happy to be there. You know, and they're like, you know, it's hell yeah, it's all love. But as far as like the headlining you know, being like an opening act for the headliners in on a tour, I do love the aspect of, you know, like you for the most part, I think on tours, like you have, you know, like the dressing rooms and, and everything's much more organized, you know, because it's just, there are just weightless bands. And it's, you know, it's not like a set, then it's, there aren't all these different stages and all you know which stages that band going to be on which stage is that going to be on? So I also, I love the organization of, you know, a tour like that. But I really love the energy with the festival shows.

Chuck Shute:

That's very cool. Okay, are you going to be doing more headlining shows just as plush? Because I know that Allison chains tour one that I like, that looks so cool. I'm in Phoenix, and I don't think you guys are playing on the Phoenix. I think it's thunder. Plessy is the other is the other open? You guys because you're splitting up the dates with some of the other bands. So would you be doing a headlining tour of just plush?

Moriah Formica:

I'm not sure as of right now. I don't think we have anything lined up for that. But I really hope so soon. Yeah. Yeah, we're still just trying to you know, get out there and grow the band. And then hopefully we can have that in the very near future.

Chuck Shute:

Very cool. I look forward to that. And hopefully a new record at some point, too. Are you still I saw on your Instagram your you do a lot of fishing. Are you still doing a lot of fishing?

Moriah Formica:

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm actually gonna go today I fish almost every day. I whenever I can. Yeah, fishing actually was my first passion even before music. i Wow. You know? Yeah. Oh my gosh, my dad had because my dad is very passionate about fishing, too. He loves when I was little, he would always quiz me on a different fish. Like he would be like, what is you know, like, whenever people go to put their, you know, people going to put their kids down to bed. My dad, you know, they might read a story or they might do whatever my dad would always be like, okay, you know, he would lay there on the floor with me until I post like he like, Okay, well, it's green, and has a chain link pattern on its side. And has a teardrop done. And I do like a pickerel. And he'd be like, That's right, right. That's like he would always quiz me on fish. Like I and since the time I was little my I always had a fishing pole in my hand. Yeah, I love Wow, that is

Chuck Shute:

so cool. To go fishing when I was a kid, I was always just get so bored. So you must have good. Fishing is a lot about patience. Right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah, it's a lot about patience. And but it's if you know, like, where you know where the structures are and what fish are going for and what you're using and the water like, it's a some days just aren't good. Like yesterday, I went I caught absolutely nothing. But it's still just I get peace of mind. It's full mental clarity for me, you know? And just, I get peace of mind from it. And it's enough for me to be like, alright, well, I'm out here doing it. That means I still might catch.

Chuck Shute:

Do you have just silence or do you have headphones in and music or what do you

Moriah Formica:

I so whenever I go by myself, I will sometimes play music. I'll like put my phone in my back pocket and play some music. Sometimes I'll just be in silence. And then a lot of the time my brother will come with me and we'll talk and laugh and whatever. And then we'll we'll also listen to music. Okay, yeah, a lot of the time.

Chuck Shute:

Very cool. Well, I see your cat behind you. I saw you also have snakes. I wanted to ask you just get along with the cat. Because I would think that's fair.

Moriah Formica:

Well, this they don't really. Actually this one has never met the snakes I've only had her for she's about to turn a year but she they've never they don't really get to interact because I'm honestly afraid of it. I my bow constrictor one time that I had her out. My old cat actually walked past her and she struck at her. Because you know, all she sees is is warm first. So she's like, oh, you know, my snake. And so yeah, that was the last time that I ever had the snakes out around the cats or the dogs or anything

Chuck Shute:

out okay. When the boa constrictor she

Moriah Formica:

was okay. She was okay because I saw her. She looked like she. I was I was looking at her posture. And when snakes are about to strike they have that it's called like an S curl. And they kind of, you know, posture up and they put their head and kind of like the shape of an S and that's how you know you're about to strike. So I saw that and I kind of immediately pulled her back as she struck at her so she didn't actually get to latch on to her. Thank God. But yeah, that is the last time But I, but I make sure that they have a very, very secure enclosure so that they're not able to get out, which I've also had happen.

Chuck Shute:

Gotcha. Did you talk when you were on tour with slash? Did you guys bond about snakes? Because I know he's got a bunch of snakes too, right?

Moriah Formica:

Yeah, yeah, we did we talk snakes. Yeah. He was telling me about his. It was so funny because he's just like, he's like, oh, you know, I got a. He's like, for my birthday. Somebody just got me a baby green anaconda. And I'm like, Oh, he's like, I'm like, Okay, so for your birthday presents, somebody just got you a baby Anaconda. And that was just like, cool. And it's just so funny, because I'm like, That's literally the largest making the world is an anaconda. And that's just what you got for a birthday present.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Like, how do you have a thing? You have to have a giant cage?

Moriah Formica:

Live? I think, well, he was telling me I think he lives at the zoo now. And like Nashville or something, I think he was telling me the snake His name is I think it's Sam. I don't get I don't know. I can't remember when 100% But I think it's Sam. And he was telling me that he lives at the zoo now. And in Nashville, I think and he's, he's not on display or anything he just kind of gets taken care of by, you know, the but but, you know, he said that he goes to see him whenever he's in the area, and then he's doing well. So I mean, you know, it's pretty cool. I'm like, Alright, Sam, the Anaconda. That's awesome. We did we talked, we talked. And it's so funny, because I because I actually, it's so funny, because apparently slash also loves paleontology. Like he's very interested in dinosaurs. And he knows like, everything about them. And so funny, because when I was little, I love I love dinosaurs. I always had dinosaurs as toys. I would always get the, you know, the big like, three foot model skeletons. And I would put them together as a little kid. Like, I love stuff like that. So it's funny that we both love reptiles. And, you know, dinosaurs and and, you know, it's like, it's hard. Like, it's just funny. I'm like, Alright, slash. Get down with that. Yes.

Chuck Shute:

So have slash guest on your next record. He gets on a lot of people's

Moriah Formica:

do amazing. Yeah, I found I found it. You know, one of the artists that I love so much is Macy Gray. And he Yeah, I love Macy Gray. And actually, it's funny because when we were on this last tour, I found that she had Velvet Revolver feature in one of her songs. And I was like, that's the same Velvet Revolver. Is this a different one? And I'm looking it up. And it's like, no, it's actually Velvet Revolver was slash so it's, I believe it that he that he, you know, features in a lot of people stuff. But yeah, that guy is amazing. So humble. So just he seems like such a good guy, honestly. So

Chuck Shute:

yeah, no, it's amazing. Yeah, it's amazing. You're doing all these tours with amazing people making great music. I always end each episode with a charity. Is there a charity that you want to promote here at the end? Besides, obviously, you know, people, we want people to buy your record and see on tour, but is there a nonprofit that you're involved with or that you'd like to promote?

Moriah Formica:

On this, honestly, I don't have any specific charity, but I do really, you know, anything to help out animals? And anything to help out veterans? I'm really, you know, I'm you know, so

Chuck Shute:

I'll put a couple of things in the show notes along with your website. It's a plush rocks.net I believe, right? Is that correct? Okay. And then, of course, you're on Instagram and all that stuff, too. So people can follow you guys and check the website for current tour dates. Yeah, awesome. Okay. Well, thanks so much for doing this as a lot of fun. And I'll get this episode out soon.

Moriah Formica:

Awesome. Yeah. Thank you so much. Had a lot of fun. All right.

Chuck Shute:

Thanks, Maura. Bye, bye. Thanks again to Mariah for mica and her dad slash manager for helping set that interview up. Sometimes it's hard to do interviews with younger people because there isn't as much life experience so sometimes there just isn't as much to talk about. But we ended up doing a full hour with Mariah I think we could have kept going if we wanted. She's done so much in her career, career already and also just has so much wisdom and really interesting to chat with. Definitely, much more wise than I was at that age and the future is very bright for her and her band plush. Check out the debut album. It's available on streaming and also you can order it on purple vinyl. If you prefer that. Follow the band on social media or check their website for show dates. I am asked to make a road trip to see them I think they are going to be really good live. And thank you for supporting our guests on the show. Without them we don't have a show. And thank you to all who have supported my show. Our YouTube channel has been doing very well in the last month so thank you to all who have watched videos on there, like them or share them and subscribe to my channel. Subscribers keep going up. I really appreciate that. It's cool to see something grow and I'm very grateful. So thank you all for listening, have a great day and shoot for the moon.