Tabitha Booth is an eclectic singer-songwriter artist, multimedia artist, and award-winning music video producer. Equal parts artist to musician, she is a woman of many hats. Booth’s latest release, Wolf Moon, is a culmination of skill, vulnerability, and compassion. The album is an ambitious success, having been recorded at Cocoon Studios to a live audience. As a TV and movie set designer, the journey sings from a set design of her own making. Booth’s voice is uniquely strong and ethereal while soaring above basso profuno harmonies, violin, upright bass, and piano. Booth has been a student of shamanism since 2018, and her studies have driven her towards unrelenting mindfulness. She hopes her music is a space for people to grow more mindful towards others.
How did the band form and what does the band name mean?
Well, the Goddess said, let there be light, and 6 planets formed under a full moon. It’s all recorded on Wolf Moon. We kept my name, Tabitha Booth, because my father is famous. It’s pure nepotism.
Previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
Altered States, my first album, is my favorite. It’s 10 ambient guitar tracks. I recorded it on a cherry red finish Epiphone through a Peavey and Randall head. My boyfriend at the time, turned some dials and this album ended up being released a few years later. I learned a lot about the mixing process at Water Music in Hoboken. They’re closed now but those sessions changed my perspective on being involved as a musical artist, being hands-on. I completed the music program at County College of Morris. Total music theory nerd. At that time, though, I had massive stage fright and singing was not something I did until years later, moving to Portland, Oregon and literally finding my voice with the help of a mentor, RIP Wally.
First concert that you ever went to?
My mom was an audiophile and ran a radio show at her nursing school over at Seton Hall. When we were kids, she took us to see David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails. I could barely comprehend it at the time; I think I was 7 years old. Somehow, I remember the lighting design. When I was 22, I saw a singer-songwriter perform on her guitar at a local community space. She was really good. I remember feeling envy. Picked the guitar up after that and took it way more seriously to learn guitar chords and continue songwriting.
What's your writing process like?
Usually, I start two songs at the same time. It’s sort of like nuclear diffusion. I might be in the basement or on a bench at a bridge or in a vehicle. I don’t like anyone seeing or hearing me during my writing process; it just sounds like a mess. About 4-5 months later, everything falls into place. Usually, it’s when I have a lot to say and can’t or won’t speak on it. It comes out through the guitar, piano, vocals, percussive rhythms. I just have to play and get it out. When I hear a sweet spot, I stick with that and run through a few times before recording it on my phone and writing down the chord progression with a first lyrical draft of verse and chorus; or just the bridge.
What other artists or songs inspire your music?
My first vocal inspiration in any serious was was Beth Gibbons, frontwoman of UK downtempo duo, Portishead. I was infatuated with her control, timbre, the way she evokes somber emotions. Memorized every song, every line and emulated her, including following her breathing mechanisms. Geoff Tate, frontman of Queensryche is notorious for the power behind his voice, his breath control. As well as charisma. Ultimately, it all comes down to the flow of the breath and standing in one’s power and practice. Through their albums, Beth and Geoff have pretty much taught me everything I know about how to be a frontwoman. Part of the job is knowing yourself and your audience. I like songs that evoke something, a story, a mood, intelligent and thoughtful. I like to feel and for it to be validated through song. Another song I like is “What Else is There?” by Royksopp. It is very moody and has a poignancy to it in the sound design and digital orchestration.
What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be it's own thing?
For me, playing live is like putting together a birthday party. Everyone who is invited is there to participate. When I was a kid, my grandmother would ensure that I would say hello to everybody. So, I still do that. In some ways, I’m doing that less as I focus more on precision with my stage performance, so that the takeaway experience comes more from the performance and less from the handshakes and hugs. Being said, it’s important to me that the audience knows that they are part of it. Seen, heard and appreciated. Between live and recording, cables are being set up, mics being placed. There are crews that handle all of this to ensure it’s optimized for whatever the goals are. No, I don’t think that recording and live shows should be identical. That makes sense for Johann Bach and any modern contemporaries who align with replication as pristine. I’ve never resonated with that, personally. I like organic breakaways that cannot be replicated for it is unique. Impermanent. As is life, no?
Has the band toured? What has the touring experience been, best shows?worst shows?
We are excited to say that touring is on the horizon for us. I’ve been on a bunch of tour buses growing up because my dad tattooed a bunch of heavy-hitter rockstars while they were touring the US, and I have high hopes for my band. We’ve gone down the musical theatre road a bit with an original Greek mythology project; but in the meantime we are focusing on Wolf Moon and re-releasing it with new artwork with an incredible artist from Copenhagen. Honestly, Wisdom of the Wolf Moon this past January really was our best show to date.
What's up next for the band?
We have just been signed to Mint400 Records which is a huge step for us. I would be amiss not to credit my band. Tory Anne Daines on Electric Violin, Edwin Lopez Villada on piano, Naomi Smith on Upright Bass, Raphael Ribot on harmony-fugue vocals; and Tommy Riley on drums. This is a working band and each member is involved with many incredible music projects of their own. Look them up and follow on social for more!
Website: https://tabithaboothstudios.com/
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Instagram: @TabithaBoothOfficial