Meet Dana Moon | Comedian and Content Creator
We had the good fortune of connecting with Dana Moon and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dana, why did you pursue a creative career?
The last thing I want to do is sound cliche with the whole, the artist life chose me you know how douchey creative people sound when they say that. Truth be told, the artist’s life did, in fact, choose me. No, I actually want to give you the realest answer I can think of, and it’s that I feel like I had no other choice than to pursue a creative career. I was the third born and the black sheep of my family. More than my desperate need for attention as a kid, I just wanted to make people happy, make my family laugh really. I grew up in a household filled with tension, addiction and chaos and I really just wanted everyone to be okay.
I decided I needed to pursue an artistic career because nothing else felt right but doing this. I thought if I risk it all, and nothing happens, at least I risked it all. That’s pretty brave.
People think taking risks in a creative field is the scariest thing you can do but I always thought playing it safe in life was way more terrifying. I’d rather be poor and happy doing what I love than rich and miserable doing what I hate. But also now I’m like okay I can be rich and happy! Pop off universe!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So far I already feel like I’ve been talking about myself too much even though this is supposed to be about me. I wish I could say it’s been an easy path, but it’s been challenging. It’s taken a full decade of hard work for me to even start seeing results, it also didn’t help that I was in my way for most of it. Guys, I cannot emphasize this enough, get out of your own way! F***k self sabotage!
It’s taken me years and years to learn this but I cannot stress how important it is to enjoy each moment wherever you are in life. Especially if you’re a creative you will never really arrive at the destination. There’s always another goal to set and a new dream to achieve. Enjoy wherever you’re at because you will never truly get it done. It’s about finding joy in the process.
My main goal with my comedy is to make people laugh of course, but also to feel connection. I love how comedy connects us to one another and if someone resonates with a sketch or a bit of mine and they feel less alone in this world, my jobs been done.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Please don’t get me started on Butchers Daughter, it’s my favorite vegan restaurant in Venice and they also have a location in West Hollywood. The pizza is probably the best I’ve ever had in my life and the vibes are hashtag vibes.
Here is a snapshot into my perfect day if time and location were not a factor. I would wake up early hike Griffith (not Runyon) go to Hollywood Farmers Market then I would head over and get the Hailey Bieber smoothie at Erewhon (Studio city or Beverly Hills have the best Erewhons in the city). I would drive down the PCH and hang in Malibu and pretend to be a rich Mom for the day. I love that little shopping plaza off PCH.
I would then go get a 90- minute facial in Beverly Hills at Youth Spa, pop over to YOLO in Silverlake for a massage with Linda. Linda is the shit. From there I would go walk around the Silverlake Reservoir and hit the dog park then hit on some hot dog daddys. Finishing out the day we would check out Hollywood Musuem of Illusions for my basic LA Instagram girlie moment. I would end the night dancing in Zebulon, a concert at the Greek or if I’m feeling douchey go to Soho House DTLA (the best Soho in the city).
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
You know shout out’s are tough because I want to shout out everyone in my life who supports me, encourages me and loves me. But the most special shout out I can give is to my Dad. He passed away when I was 14, so I don’t get a lot of opportunities to shout out how incredible he was. You know he was the first person in my life who told me I was talented and had something special. Not in a way that Dads do when they love their little girls and lie a little bit. He was always honest with me. I remember he came to my first basketball game and left shaking his head saying, “this sport isn’t for you Tay.” I can’t remember why he called me Taylor maybe there was a famous singer named Taylor Dayne. I digress, my Dad was the first person who saw how naturally funny I was. He told me I was gifted when I thought I was just weird. He gave me a lot of confidence to pursue comedy and I like to think he helps me out from the other side.
I love you, Dad.
Image Credits
Stevie Nelson
Matt Misisco
Michael Schwartz
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
