Getting To Know Mote It Be

Getting To Know Mote It Be

I was able to meet up with Mote.it.be.band for a stellar interview in February 2025. Let’s get to know them, read below.

What’s the best part of working with each other, and what makes your band unique?
The best part about working together is that we’re not just bandmates, but also friends. In our past projects, we didn’t have the same chemistry that we share in this band. We’re very open to exploring different genres, which reflects the diversity of our backgrounds. One of us is Armenian, the rhythm section has Latin roots, and we all came together by chance, which feels aligned with our spiritual energy.

What do you want people to feel when they see your live performances?
We want listeners to hear the excellence in our music—where the craft has been perfected—while also feeling the edge of something unique and new. We aim to create music that stands apart from anything that’s been done before. Our hope is that the energy we put out into the world resonates with the crowd, not necessarily through understanding every word, but by feeling the music and connecting with it in their own way. We want that energy exchange to flow throughout the entire set. Ultimately, we hope to inspire the next generation of musicians to follow their passion and create their own path.

What are some of your musical influences, and how does that shape your style?
Some of our influences include classic rock bands like The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath, as well as video game soundtracks—just the usual stuff, haha. A lot of our early experiences involved singing along to songs in the garage with our dads, and picking up $3 CDs of punk bands like Pennywise and NOFX, which later led us back to classic rock. A pivotal moment for our guitarist came when he saw a friend play drums, which changed his life and drew him into music. Our singer was mostly influenced by her dad and classic rock, with her songwriting being shaped by pop icons like Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani. We each took a different path to get here, but our diverse influences have shaped who we are today.

If each member of the band was a superhero, what would their superpowers be?
Joseph would have mechanical powers—kind of like Cyborg from Teen Titans or the Terminator—giving him enhanced strength and abilities. Jhovan would choose teleportation, so he could run his karaoke nights without the hassle of driving. Victor would go with telepathy, allowing him to know what everyone likes or dislikes without asking, and to mess with people’s heads for fun. As for Isabel, telekinesis would be the power of choice, so she could move things around without having to leave her seat, and if she had to leave her seat, she could just fly around instead.

What’s the story behind the name of your band?
We originally started as a cover band called “The Wolfgang,” inspired by Van Halen’s son. As we began incorporating more of our original ideas, we felt it was time for a name that better reflected who we were. Our vocalist, who is also our main lyricist, tends to write haunting, witchy music because that’s what resonates with her. She came up with several name ideas, and after a vote, one of those ideas ended up inspiring an original song called “Black Hearts and Pink Panties.” Among the options we discussed, “So Mote It Be” stood out. In witchcraft (and even in other religions), after performing a spell, prayer, or affirmation, you seal your intention with “So Mote It Be,” which essentially means, “It is as I will it” or “It is because I said so.” We decided to drop the “So” and go with “Mote It Be.”

Is there a specific moment when you realized you had something special together as a band?
The first time we headlined at UBG was a turning point for us. It was the first night we truly felt like a real band, with a fan base that showed us an overwhelming amount of love. Seeing our band name on the headliner billboard for the first time was incredibly special—it made everything feel so real. We had friends, as well as their friends, come out to support us—many of whom we didn’t expect to show up at all. It was an unforgettable night, and in that moment, we knew we had to keep doing what we love.

Where do you see the band in the next 5 years?
Either signed or have created our own label by then. We absolutely see ourselves touring well before then. We’ve already been talking about putting together tours with some other local bands here so it’s totally possible for us.

Are there any artists or bands you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Our top artists we would wanna collab with would definitely include Lady Gaga, Jack Black, and even the Red Hot Chili Peppers. On a more realistic note, it would be fun to also collaborate with some of the local bands we work with like The Blazing Palms or Tangle – which Isabel has already started working with on a song with them.

(Interview and Photos by Denise Johnson)

Mote It Be on Instagram