An Interview of Quentin Moore

Quintin Moore recently dropped a new single and video that absolutely breeds an alluring and soul-coated sound that showcases some great R&B approaches and manages to bring together classic and fresh tones, along with bringing his vibrant personality to the table.

"Kiss Your Lips" gives a message that comes through loud and clear, and along with the smooth R&B approaches, he's got that popping character and absolutely pulls from old soul music, so the whole thing really just comes together with a very danceable and addictive style.

One of the things that hits so well about this track is his bountiful but smooth vocals. He's able to really control his voice dynamically so that he comes through with bursts of energy, and the song feels like something that was written in the mid to late 70s, but recorded today.

I think that's exactly what it was going for, and if so, it's completely nailed from start to finish.

The chorus is an absolute hook, and you'll be singing it in your head for days after the song has ended, but it's really that personality you end up getting attached to.

Clearly influenced by all kinds of classic soul, the tones of everything mesh together perfectly, and the whole thing is just thick with outstanding instruments along with the effects on them to bring out some of the classic feel.

There are pianos that give off some great riffs, but the guitar work is really what takes it to the next level. Those guitars are perfectly done and coated with this sort of wavy chorus effect with hints of phaser so that you get the old school sound.

As soon as the track gets going, he comes right in with a huge vocal. The singing just takes you right away, which is part of the sentiment of the song, and you just think of certain kinds of classic tracks and artists like Marvin Gaye, for example.

He's got that same juju, and you can tell that's exactly the kind of stuff he's drawing from with the single. It works amazingly, and he's got quite the charm to boot

You of personality throughout this song, and more of that is shown with the music video, which is super fun and gives you more of an idea of Quinton's absolute love for his craft.

This is a song for people who grew up listening to classic soul, R&B, and even jazz. All the vibes are there.

Upon listening to the track, I automatically knew I wanted to speak with Quentin about the song itself. I wanted to find out where this came from and wanted more details on his actual influences and when he started creating music in the first place.

So, while you listen to this single, read the interview below with Quentin, so you can get a great idea for where this all came from and where it's headed as well.

Check this out and remember where you heard it first.

Buzz Slayers: Hey and, thanks for taking some time with us! Let's talk a bit about "Kiss Your Lips"! This track was a fresh blend of R&B and classic soul approaches!! Where did this track come from?

Thank you so much for sitting down with me and taking time to talk about your new single Kiss Your Lips. 

The origin of Kiss Your Lips is actually pretty unique — it came to me in a dream. I woke up around five or six in the morning with the melody and the title line still in my head, and I immediately went to the piano to capture it before it faded. I recorded a voice memo right then and there so I wouldn’t lose the idea, and I still have that original memo today.

A few months later I started developing the song further — building out the chords, the structure, and the overall feeling. Once I had the blueprint where I wanted it, I sent the arrangement to the musicians so they could lay down their parts, and then I recorded the vocals. From that dream moment to the final studio production, that’s how Kiss Your Lips was born.

Buzz Slayers: I am hearing some great styles here! Can you give us some of your biggest musical influences?

Thank you for that question — because I’m definitely a product of all the artists who shaped me. My influences span across decades of soul, gospel, and R&B. I pull a lot from legends like The Isley Brothers, D’Angelo (rest in peace), Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bobby Womack, Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton, and PJ Morton. They each inspired me in different ways — storytelling, raw emotion, groove, arrangement, and vocal texture.

There’s also a huge gospel influence in what I do — especially quartet gospel in the vein of The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams, and The Mighty Clouds of Joy. That sound is in my DNA.

Then you have the soul crooner era — Teddy Pendergrass — and even classic 50s doo-wop groups like The Del-Vikings and The Moonglows that taught me about harmony and romance in songwriting.

And of course there are modern influences too, like Jamie Foxx and Tank, who helped shape the contemporary side of my R&B style.

So if you take all of that — soul kings, gospel roots, classic doo-wop flavor, and modern R&B — mix it all in a bowl, you pretty much get Quentin Moore. LOL.

Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist?

I actually started in church — that’s where everything began for me. I grew up playing drums, singing in the choir, and later moved into playing organ, piano, and keys. Church gave me my foundation musically, spiritually, and stylistically.

When I went to the University of North Texas, which is a big jazz school, my world expanded even more. I was exposed to jazz, funk, world music, fusion — sounds that pushed me beyond traditional R&B and gave me a whole new musical vocabulary. While I was there, I also picked up bass guitar and guitar, which helped me grow as a songwriter and arranger.

Around 2003 I started writing my own original music, and that’s when I made the decision to really pursue being a professional artist. So it started in church, but college is where it blossomed into a career path and a purpose.

Buzz Slayers: Do you find it hard to write songs like this?

No, not really. I don’t force the writing process — I let the songs come to me naturally. Usually an idea shows up first as a melody, a lyric, or a concept, and when it does, I either record a voice memo or write it down so I don’t lose it. If it feels like something I can develop into a full song, I’ll come back to it and build it out. And if it’s just a smaller idea or fragment, I’ll let it sit until it’s time to grow it later.

I don’t stress or fight with the music. When inspiration hits, I capture it. And when I feel moved to take it further, that’s when the real writing begins.

Buzz Slayers: Do you play live shows at all?

Yes, I play live shows regularly, and I also do a lot of international touring. My live setup can range anywhere from a solo acoustic performance — just me with keys or guitar — all the way up to a full orchestra-style band with rhythm section, percussion, horns, strings, and background singers. Of course, that big ensemble is my ideal setup.

Live performance is really my bread and butter — it’s where I feel most at home. I love the studio and I love creating records, but performing live is where I get my true joy. Touring allows me to share the music in real time with people, let them feel it, and experience that connection together in the moment. There’s nothing like it.

Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?

It really depends on my mood, and I love that we live in a time where music is on-demand — I don’t have to wait for radio play anymore. I can hear something and stream it instantly, which keeps my listening rotation wide and flexible.

I always come back to the classics, especially D’Angelo, and with his passing I’ve had his catalog on repeat lately — not just his own songs, but also listening to how he influenced other artists and the productions he was behind.

My mood determines everything. Some days I’m in a yacht-rock mood. Other days it’s quartet gospel, or 50s doo-wop, or jazz fusion. Recently I’ve had Gregory Porter on repeat — his new track “Brown Grass” is beautiful. On the southern soul side, I’ve been playing Lenny Williams and Breeze MrDo2Much with “Love Me For Real” a lot as well.

Of course, I still rotate legends like Teddy Pendergrass, The Isley Brothers, Babyface, DeBarge, and Jodeci. I actually just went to the Babyface/DeBarge/Jodeci concert recently, so that sent me right back into their catalogs too.

So it’s a wide palette — soul, gospel, jazz, fusion — I just follow whatever emotion I’m in that day.

Buzz Slayers: What kind of advice would you have for other artists getting their music out there?

My biggest piece of advice is to get your music recorded and make sure the quality represents you well. It doesn’t have to be perfect — I always say connection over perfection — but it does need to feel honest and polished enough for people to receive the message clearly. If you obsess over perfection, you can actually lose the soul of the music.

Once the music is out, share it everywhere you can. Market it in as many ways as possible — social media, ads, live performance clips, short-form content, whatever tools you have access to. As an independent artist, you are your own radio station and your own TV network. No one will ever be more excited about your release than you are, so you have to be the main driver behind your promotion.

Keep it pure, keep it intentional, and don’t be afraid to push your art. If you believe in it, keep putting it in front of people until they feel it too.

Buzz Slayers: What can you say people might expect from this song?

You can expect a baby-making record — a smooth, classic soul vibe with a contemporary touch. It’s a love-maker, mood-setter type of song, something you can really feel. If you’re with your partner, it’s definitely a romance track — but even if you’re solo, it’s a vibe you can just ride to, unwind to, smoke or sip to, and really sink into.

It’s sensual, it’s groovy, and it carries that timeless soul feel while still sounding fresh and modern. And I can tell you now — it is going to be crazy live. I love performing this one on stage because it’s built for that intimate, immersive experience with the audience.

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