Meet Pat Moon | Singer, guitarist, and songwriter of Shotty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pat Moon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pat, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been learning to listen to my heart, and to hear when it’s telling me whether I like, love, fear, or am bored by something. There are always decisions to make, from choosing the next note to play, to planning the band’s path forward for the next few months. The next song I write can be anything, the next fun video we make can be anything, the next words I send to my fans can be anything. With these decisions come conflicting messages. I try hard to listen to my own feelings about the messages I receive. Some paths forward feel heavy and anxiety-inducing. It doesn’t mean they’re inherently wrong, perhaps just wrong for me. Then other paths forward feel joyful and liberating. Regardless of external factors, I have a sense of which path will help me thrive and create great things, even if they’re off the wall and against conventional wisdom. Plus the added bonus: I end up doing what I love most.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is my band, Shotty. The musical compositions, the performances, the videos I produce, the image, the message, all of it is my artistic expression. I think Shotty is something special and unique. My difficulty fitting in socially, and my history of depression and loss, have made me cling to unconventional obsessions like video games, cartoons, toys, interests and attitudes normally seen as childish. This provides a colorful aesthetic and world in which my music can live. Another defect/blessing is my musical restlessness. I have a blind spot for most music, it goes in one ear and out the other. I’m only engaged by very specific, powerful moments. Thus, I hold myself to the standards of the greatest musicians of all time. If the Beatles had the same instruments I do, why can’t I sit down and write a song that changes the world? I always ask myself that, and I’ll never stop trying.

I got to where I am today by being myself. Often, and intensely. And constantly trying to improve. I make what I make because I’m bored by so much art, hurt by so many people, incapable of being anything other than this. I trust that my inner compass guides me to make the best art possible, and I follow it. The most challenging part is convincing others that I’m worthwhile. I raise others up on a pedestal because I love people and I desire their happiness. I forget to raise myself up to their level.

Ultimately there’s no right or wrong, but there are things that pull us forward and things that hold us back. I’ll keep trying to see the difference between the two. Life is often suffering and sacrifice, but when you’re truly onto something great, you’ll experience moments where the suffering eases and the clouds part to reveal feelings beyond words. And all you can do is smile, until the clouds return and we continue pushing forward once again.

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.
If my friend was visiting me in LA, the first place I’d take them would be the Frank & Son Collectible Show in Rowland Heights, 30 minutes east of downtown. It’s a huge warehouse filled with small independent stalls selling retro toys, cards, posters, fake swords, everything. I’m always on the lookout for tiny Pokemon figurines, or plushies that I just can’t say no to. It’s comforting to be surrounded by such a huge variety of like-minded nerds.

Some of my other favorite places are the LA Zoo, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, or Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley. I love moseying under the sky, looking for various furred and feathered creatures. For lunch I’d take my friend to India’s Sweets & Spices in Los Feliz. I’ve been going there for years (and according to their wall of fame, so has Tom Hanks!). If there’s still time left on this theoretical friend voyage, we would make our way east to the desert. It’s always nice to spend time around Joshua trees, sand, and hot air. It reminds me of how small and fragile we are, and how inhospitable the world can be if us humans don’t stick together and protect and love each other.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my drummer and lifelong music partner Miles Frank. We’ve been making music together for over a decade, and I would be nowhere without him. In some ways he couldn’t be more different from me, but our differences make us a stronger team. His almost belligerent belief in my music has kept me going through my struggles. I lost my mom at a young age, so I was missing a certain kind of fanatical unwavering support. Miles and I support each other in this way. He’s the Sam to my Frodo. Together we’ve created some unbelievably wonderful works of art, and we’ll continue into our old age.

Website: https://www.shottylovesyou.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shottylovesyou/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shottylovesyou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shottylovesyou

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shottylovesyou

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0k9lhwWKpoACjV2Jk5HbKA?si=jA8BZFvIQ-eC3nMX-DuonA Bandcamp: https://shotty.bandcamp.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shottylovesyou Twitch: https://twitch.tv/shottylovesyou

Image Credits
Photos by Shotty, Tac Brown Photography, and Mathias Fau