Mo Woods Guides Us Beyond Our Comfort Zones
Mo Woods photographed in Rock Creek Park, D.C., by Parys Wyatt.
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Embarking on an unprecedented cinematic and musical venture in 2023, Mo Woods not only starred in but also crafted the evocative soundtrack for the feature-length film "PHASES." This multi-talented artist took on a transformative journey, pushing boundaries in both storytelling and self-expression. Today, we delve into the intricacies of this project, exploring the challenges faced, collaborations forged, and the unique creative spark that fuels Mo Woods' musical odyssey spanning genres.
You starred in and recorded a feature-length film and 27-minute soundtrack called PHASES released in 2023. How did this project take you out of your comfort zone?
Having to reenact certain moments in past relationships that didn’t have the happiest of endings required a level of vulnerability that I underestimated. It’s one thing to put your feelings into a song, but It’s another thing to put yourself back into that exact moment and relive it. Shooting PHASES was a constant effort to ditch my comfort zone and embrace what I typically steer away from.
Was this major project a unique exploration or could we expect more similarly-scaled visual projects?
PHASES was the team and I’s way of creating a clear window into how past memories and situations spark a fire into the minds of a creative. The most I can say about future projects is that I like to ensure that every project we work on has the opportunity to be expressed at its fullest capabilities.
In the film, you played various characters with parts involving switched gender roles, physical challenges like running a full sprint, and intense emotional scenes. What was preparation like for such a multi-faceted performance and were there unexpected challenges while filming?
The preparation of these different scenes for me started with understanding the “why” or the importance of the message being told. From there, It becomes a thing of embodying what the role requires of me so that the impact of the message is memorable. In terms of challenges, there were a few. Just imagine having to repeat a full sprint scene 7-8 times in a row… twice. As someone who doesn’t run a lot, it was quite the challenge. It was worth it though!
You partnered with Norfolk-based entertainment and media company Phond to produce the film as well as your 2021 live album “Outside”. Could you share more about how the collaboration came about?
It all started back in 2021 when I met Tremaine, the creator of Phond. He took a liking my music and I loved his creative vision and what his company stood for. We eventually met up and hit the ground running. We shot numerous acapellas throughout the Tidewater area, which lead to the inception of the live album. From there, as Tremaine’s company expanded, we began working on larger projects like the PHASES movie and the rest is history. It has always felt like i’m with family when I work with Phond so collaborating with them is effortless.
What sparked your musical journey?
My musical journey was sparked by singing in the church choir as a kid and watching my grandfather as the lead guitarist in his jazz band. Those two things did so much for me in terms of wanting to create music for myself. I became obsessed with music creation quickly and haven’t stopped since that spark came. Also, my dad and sister had some of the most classic 2000s music on repeat when I was young. I’m talking about Neyo, Mario, Beyonce, TLC, Usher, Alicia Keys and more! There was so much inspiration for me to feed off as a kid.
Your music has offered a multi-genre experience spanning RnB, soul, and hip-hop. What influences you musically and is there more to music that you’d like to explore?
When it comes to music, I’m mainly influenced by the relationships and conversations I have with people throughout my life. I’m very life-based with my music so what I talk about or go through in my life influences me the most musically. The emotions I feel from situations, good or bad, create melodies in my head that I then use to put a song together. My brain is constantly making a soundtrack to what I experience.
There are some things with music that I’d like to explore. A lot of times, the music in my head isn’t RnB, soul, or hip-hop so I’d like to dive into some other genres soon. I also want to learn a few instruments as well. I think that will open up a new door for where my imagination with music will go.
The distance between Norfolk and D.C. often anchors debate on whether the DMV reaches that far into southern Virginia. How have you connected with the DMV creative scene and do you see such a distance between yourself and the scene?
I’ve connected with quite a few people in the DMV creative scene in the last year through my guy Moe at The Village DC. Every time I come up to the DMV with my team, Moe is introducing us to someone new in the area. I really enjoy the change of pace and scenery in the DMV. There’s a certain energy in the DMV creative scene that’s very captivating and welcoming.
Geographically speaking, I can understand the Southern Virginia/DMV debate even though it's only about a 3-hour drive. I personally feel like if the DMV and Southern Virginia combined their regions, we would be an even more incredible force in the creative scenes than we already are.
What’s poppin’ in the 757? How do you argue Virginia’s appeal as an arts destination?
Everything is poppin’ in the 757. Our creative scene is always busy and working hard at making sure there’s a lane and opportunity for people to showcase their art forms at all times. The city councils are beginning to see the impact the arts have on the community in the 757 which means more access to resources and expansion. Virginia is well on its way to establishing a massive appeal as an arts destination. Historically, Virginia has raised legends in the field of the arts, and that energy still exists today. Many new creatives are trailblazing a space for Virginia to become artistically prosperous and a hot spot for creatives nationwide.
