Stage, film and TV actress, including singer-songwriter, Brooke Moriber has juggled all of her talents incredibly well. She auditioned for Les Misérables when she was eight years old, and since then has had her music licensed to Nickelodeon and other television and movie soundtracks. She’s performed in New York’s popular venues, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room and Mercury Lounge, along with Nashville venues The Listening Room, Genghis Cohen and Room 5.
Moriber’s recent single and title of her new album, Cry Like A Girl, fuses pop, country and rock, showcasing her gorgeous voice. “Cry Like A Girl” is an anthem for men who feel like they can’t express emotion, otherwise it’s considered a sign of weakness. Simply put, the single “showcases a story relevant to everyone’s life: a man who has too much pride to open up about his vulnerabilities is really just hurting on the inside.”
Love your new single, “Cry Like A Girl,” and how empowering it is! What led you to write this strong anthem?
With everything going on in the media today and everyday situations where I myself have felt less worthy because I am female, it made me think about the way we look at female attributes, how people say things like “fight like a girl” in a negative way. It’s cool for a girl to act like a man—tomboys are cute and a girl who can fight in a Kung Fu movie is badass and hot —but if a man gets emotional he is considered weak and god forbid feminine. I wanted to put a spin on that outdated outlook.
Your talent is multi, including stage, film and TV. Is there one talent you prefer and enjoy over the others, or do they all provide a creative outlet that you crave?
I love them all but I have to say, I find the process of writing the most fulfilling. It is more than an outlet, it is my therapy and my cure all.
You traveled back and forth between Nashville and New York for the recording of your debut album, Cry Like A Girl. What was that process like?
Exhausting and invigorating. I feel like I have made a second home in Nashville. Everyone has been so welcoming. I have grown so much as a writer being exposed to that environment. I get so homesick for New York though when I’m away for long periods of time.
How did you get involved with director, Elizabeth Lippman, for the music video to “Cry Like A Girl”?
It was tough to find the right director for this video. I was looking for someone who really understood what the song was about and who had an idea that could showcase the theme in a generational way. It was very important to me that the message be very clear since it could be so easily misconstrued. I had a couple of directors send treatments to me but Elizabeth’s treatment nailed it. She was just as passionate about the message coming across as I was and I knew she was the one to direct
Did you have a lot of input referencing the theme with the video?
Yes. Elizabeth and her team got on the phone many times with me discussing everything from the direction to the matching outfits for the three different versions of me.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your overall favorite, so far?
I think my first concert was Hole. I remember my mom saying “stay out of the mush pit!”. Well you could call it that…(laughs). My favorite concert was seeing Pearl Jam play their longest set ever and close down the Spectrum Theatre on Halloween in Philadelphia. Epic night.
What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?
Might have been Pearl Jam!
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Hard to narrow down albums—waaaay to many. But if I was on a desert island these are the five artists I would need on loop: Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Sarah Bareilles, Brandi Carlisle, Pearl Jam. I’m all over the place. Also Lzzy Hale!
Who or what has had the most influential impact on you and your career?
I started out performing as a child on Broadway. My first professional job was playing Young Cosette in Les Miserables. While I am now focused on my recording career, I am so thankful to have grown up in theater. It taught me self discipline, a solid work ethic, and helped me build up a tough skin. It’s not easy but I don’t ever give up and that’s the thing that keeps pushing me forward. My sister always says to me “if you throw the shit against the wall enough, it eventually sticks”. That’s my motto.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Bunnies! Everything bunnies! If you check out my social media you will discover one of the most adorable creatures in the universe: Sherlock. He is a Holland Lop/ floppy eared bunny and the love of my life. He is free range and litter box trained—rabbits are not meant to live in cages! They are just as smart as dogs and cats. They are magical. When I’m not writing music or performing you will usually find me playing backwards catch (bunnies are prey animals so they throw things to you instead of chasing after them) or under the bed playing hide and seek with my little guy.
Find Brooke on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Stream her music on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
