Cheri Moon
Grammy-Nominated Singer, Songwriter & Actress

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:02.286) Today's guest is Cheri Moon, a singer-songwriter originally from Memphis, whose career has moved across pop, dance, family music, and creative community building.

Suraaj Parab (00:15.598) Welcome Cheri to the Artist Conversation.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (00:19.099) Hi guys, so good to be here with you.

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:24.276) It's great to have you, super happy to have you and thanks for coming in. Cheri, jumping right in, I want to start talking about the origin of everything, the range and the identity. Your career has moved through so many worlds: pop, songwriting, dance music, family music, and community spaces for kids. When you look back, did that range feel intentional from the start or did your artistry keep evolving as your life evolved?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (01:01.605) Yeah, I've definitely been on a long journey, both personal and creative. I would have to say my creative journey just evolved as my life evolved. I've always been a musical soul coming from Memphis, Tennessee, singing in the gospel world with my family. Then, when I moved to New York, it evolved into that world. And when I became a mom, it evolved into family music. It just keeps evolving.

Sandeep Kulkarni (01:36.266) That's amazing. Can you tell us a little bit more about growing up in Memphis? Being surrounded by that environment—Tennessee and Nashville are right there—how was it?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (01:49.669) Well, it's so different from what it is now, for sure. But growing up in Memphis had such a huge impact on who I am as a person and musically. I didn't really think about it until these latter years, when I started to reflect more on where these influences came from when I'm writing, singing, performing, and especially when I'm recording.

For some reason, a lot of soulful and gospel elements come out that I didn't really think I had. But when I listen to myself, I realize, okay, this is because these are my roots. During the first stages of me getting into the music industry, I was more into pop R&B, but mostly pop. So I used the lighter tones of my voice—more staccato singing, less belting, and less holding notes. It was more about keeping with the groove, the way pop songs are. I got used to using that part of my voice. A lot of that soul, gospel, and real soulful R&B singing that I had trained myself on as a young girl had been pushed to the wayside.

Now I'm using more of that voice, especially since I got into dance music—which happened by mistake, too. I never set out to do dance music or house music. I was writing these R&B pop songs and these DJs got a hold of them. That's what they became. They were regular structured songs, and then these remixes came out. But I felt free because I felt like I could just do anything. The pop world wants a certain sound and a certain delivery, whereas the music I'm doing now, like dance and family music, allows you a bit more freedom to just be and do what you feel. That's really exciting to me.

Sandeep Kulkarni (04:13.870) That's pretty cool. Have you been singing since you were a kid? Is that when you started taking lessons?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (04:18.747) Yeah, really early on. My mom would probably say I've been singing since the moment I came out of her womb. It's just always been in me, and I've always gravitated toward listening to music, putting on records, and looking at music videos. I was always excited about all of that. Even in school, when talent shows were available, I was the first one to sign up.

Suraaj Parab (04:54.362) You have written for major collaborators and also built a voice as a solo artist. At what point did you realize that your own artistic path wasn't going to live in just one genre?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (05:13.605) Wow. Well, I got into the proper music industry professionally when I was introduced to the Timbaland camp and Jimmy Douglas, getting into that whole circle. I was in a girl group at that point, and that's where it really all began because I had never recorded professionally in a studio before. It was the producer Timbaland's camp.

I was living in New York at the time. That's when my career started because that's when I actually started recording professionally and even writing, because I had never written before. I was heavily influenced by being around those amazingly talented artists, writers, and producers. Like I said, I was in a girl group then, so we were doing a lot of shows and showcases. That part was a real training session for me because that's where I learned to write. That's where I got my work ethic of constantly writing, pumping out, and flushing out ideas.

That was a really interesting time; it was like a training camp for me. Then somehow, I did my first commercial where I was singing, which was with the Timbaland camp as well. I did my first jingle for a Joe Boxer and Kmart commercial. Then that world opened up because it was like, wow, my goodness, you can actually sing on commercials and write jingles. I did that for a while, and it was fantastic. Things just kept happening, doors kept opening, and I kept meeting people. You walk through these doors to explore, and it turns into something really interesting.

Sandeep Kulkarni (07:20.526) So, a lot of learning, you would say.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (07:23.887) A lot of learning. It's funny because I used to say it was just coincidences—a coincidence that I met this person on the train or was in a certain place. But no, all of this was actually meant to happen because it's a part of my journey. Every moment was a learning situation, for sure.

Sandeep Kulkarni (07:48.974) It must have been great. When you first said Timbaland, it didn't register right away, but it must have been amazing to hang out with that crew, meet new people, and collaborate with everyone coming in with different ideas. What a learning experience. You went from never writing to learning how to write.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (08:10.141) Yeah, we were signed to his production company. He and Jimmy Douglas were working together a lot; they were a team, essentially. We started trying to write for artists who wanted him to produce for them. We became part of their writing camp, and we would write for different artists just to try and get placements, basically. We were doing that all the time. We were pumping out songs and writing. That was a huge training camp for me because I went from not writing to writing every day and recording all of the demos. There were a lot of great moments that I am able to exercise now.

Sandeep Kulkarni (09:04.002) Yeah, I'm sure there's a lot to take from there and apply to everything you do today. That's awesome. Talking about the journey of being an artist in today's world, from your perspective, what feels most rewarding about it right now, and what feels most exhausting?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (09:25.085) Wow. How much time do we have so I can answer that question? Well, there were a lot of frustrations in the earlier days because there were a lot of gatekeepers. You had the labels, the managers, this, and that. When I first started, there was no internet or social media, so you really relied upon the people who claimed they could do these things for you.

You were waiting until you could get a deal, waiting for this, waiting for that. I called it the waiting game. That was really frustrating, especially for someone like me who likes to get things done. I get this anxiousness when it comes to something I'm passionate about. I've always been very passionate about being an artist and being creative—whether it's visuals or whatever creative thing I love, I'm all in and I just go for it. Playing the waiting game back then was tough.

Also, the way we looked at the industry back then versus how we look at it now, and how we view and accept artists nowadays, is completely different. One of the main aspects for me was the moment I became a mom. I remember when I was pregnant, I hid my pregnancy. Yeah, I did. I hid my pregnancy because I didn't want anyone to judge me. Back then, if you were a mom, you almost got discredited as being an artist because people thought, "Oh, you're a mom, you have to do mom things. You can't be an artist, you can't be in the studio, you can't do this."

I felt like I had to hide it because I didn't want anyone to stop me or limit me on my path. I would go to the studios, record, and act like nothing was happening. I never told anyone. Even when I recorded jingles, they had no idea. Whereas nowadays, women are accepted as artists and moms; it's even highlighted and celebrated, which I'm so excited about.

But I do look back on my own personal experience and think, "Man, I wish it hadn't been like that for me." It was a tough transition for me mentally because a lot of my friends and people I knew in the industry did not have kids at all. Suddenly, I went from hanging out with people to having other responsibilities where I couldn't just do things on my own time. But what I wasn't going to sacrifice was studio time or work time. I sacrificed my social life to maintain my work schedule and work ethic.

Sandeep Kulkarni (13:00.388) Wow, that must have been hard. We've all heard those stories about people talking and wondering if an artist will have enough time once they have other things going on in their life. That must have been such a downer back then.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (13:22.809) Yeah, it was a bit depressing. I didn't know it at the time, but I had a little bit of postpartum depression. I didn't realize that's what it was then, but when I look back on it, I can identify it. A lot of it had to do with the fact that I couldn't share this monumental moment in my life. It's one of the most important things a woman goes through, and here I was hiding it from pretty much the world. It was a very tough time, but I just kept pushing forward. I didn't let it stop me.

Suraaj Parab (04:13.842) You had a very difficult journey, and from that whole difficult experience, you rose like a phoenix.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (14:28.731) Well, it took some time and it wasn't easy. I went through a lot of emotional trauma transitioning from being a single woman to being in a relationship, getting married, having children, and trying to hold onto a career. It is a very tough thing to do, especially when you feel alone in it.

But I think that's where Snooknuk was born. I don't regret any of it because it made me grow. I've grown so much since those days in the studio working with all those great producers and writers. I wouldn't change that for the world.

Suraaj Parab (15:34.594) Through all this hardship, what has the journey taught you about surviving as an artist without losing your sense of purpose?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (15:50.694) It taught me that you have to use everything you're going through, both good and bad, to fuel you. None of these moments are mistakes; they are always shaping you on the journey to who you're meant to be, helping you find your center. I was still trying to find my way, and all of those negative and emotional things are like trophies in my case that make me who I am. I don't look back and wish I hadn't gone through it—except maybe it would have been great to talk about having a kid in public! But I feel like you have to appreciate every moment in life, even if it's terrible, because it makes you stronger, wiser, and defines who you are.

Suraaj Parab (17:02.000) Yeah, being grateful is the most important thing in life. Otherwise, you just keep chasing a never-ending loop of goals.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (17:13.277) Exactly, chasing never-ending goals leaves you in a constant rat race. If you can't stop, reflect, and appreciate those moments, you get stuck. What I also had to learn was to celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small they are. A celebration of any accomplishment is worth its weight in gold.

Sandeep Kulkarni (17:45.196) It's really nice that you think about it that way. You've had success in very different spaces, from global dance hits to family music. How do you stay authentic when the industry often wants artists to remain easily definable?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (18:07.997) It's funny because, again, back when we had to rely on labels and their guidelines for what an artist should put out, staying consistent to a formula was considered important. But with today's world of social media, streaming platforms, and alternative ways of launching careers, you have a bit more flexibility. It allows you to think outside the box. You don't have to be smushed into one little area.

I previously felt boxed in, which wasn't serving me as a creative because I was probably only using 20% to 25% of my voice and creativity across the board. Now that I'm dabbling in a lot of different things, I'm able to explore, spread my wings, and see what else is in my war chest. I'm reaching down and realizing what I can do. I'm pushing out and exploring my strengths instead of boxing them in out of fear of what people want. The freedom in that is so liberating, and it has made me a happier person and a happier artist.

Sandeep Kulkarni (19:55.948) In these current times, one person can technically run your entire social media, handle your advertising, and automate things for you. Back in the day, you had to trust certain people and just go with the flow. Do you think the current landscape is scary, or does it offer a lot of great room for exploration? You can take risks from a single room without having to meet a ton of people. We interviewed someone a month ago who had three people working for him in Mexico running his entire operation—one handling social media, one getting gigs, and so on. Coming from the times when none of this existed to today, do you embrace it?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (21:34.830) I do embrace it. Let me tell you, I have a love-hate relationship with social media. I hate it, but at the same time, it is highly useful. Those are tools. For me, time management is the number one factor. If you can use these available tools to the best of your ability and master them so they work for you and not against you, then you're winning.

It is easy to get sucked into having the tool consume you, where you're doing more consuming than actually using it as a tool. If you're scrolling too much and get stuck, that becomes a hazard. I try to balance it by using it strictly as a promotional tool to connect. I try to limit myself, which takes real resistance and discipline. I think it's great if people use it the right way. If you're focused and you're a go-getter, you're going to make it work for you.

Suraaj Parab (23:28.984) After starting a family, you stepped into children's and family music in a deeper way. What did that world allow you to express that your earlier work didn't?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (23:49.916) Stepping into the children's and family music space, I think my background in writing jingles helped because jingles are very repetitive, catchy, and hook-driven to capture attention immediately. I got into children's music by an honest mistake because I started writing hooks to teach my kids life lessons. As soon as I became a mother, I started writing melodies and catchy words that could be repetitive so they would remember basic things—from taking a bath, to brushing their teeth, eating vegetables, and sharing.

It helped me as a mom because when you're telling a kid something, it doesn't always stick right away, and you have to repeat yourself constantly. The repetitiveness of the music made it stick in their heads, and suddenly they were singing what I wanted them to learn. I realized caregivers, moms, and dads around the world could use this as a tool, so I started looking at it as a business model and began flushing these hooks out into full songs.

When I got into the studio, the tracks kept getting longer and more developed. I realized that presenting this as an artist might be a good way to go. I started hosting music classes at my children's preschools in Los Angeles to put these songs to practice. Word spread, parents invited me to other schools, and suddenly I was going to multiple schools around LA and tiring myself out.

My husband suggested opening a center so people could come to me instead of me running around with all these instruments. That's where the Snooknuk Cafe idea came from. I opened up the cafe so I could teach most of my classes in one place, and I sent other instructors to handle the outside schools.

Sandeep Kulkarni (27:15.660) Where exactly was that in LA?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (27:18.585) It was on Larchmont Blvd, right between Beverly and Melrose by Paramount Studios. Very central.

Sandeep Kulkarni (27:24.328) I know exactly where that is. I used to live in LA.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (27:29.281) The most rewarding thing about being a children's and family music artist is the expression on the kids' faces and the happiness they exude when you're singing or dancing with them. It's the most exciting time. Kids don't lie; they are truth-tellers. If they feel something, they're going to tell you. If you suck, you suck!

Sandeep Kulkarni (28:09.070) We've had a few other guests on our show who do children's music, and they've told us exactly the same thing. You'll know if you suck; you'll hear it from them.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (28:25.990) You will hear it, and you cannot run away from it! I love that honesty. Snooknuk is really about teaching life lessons—not only basic hygiene, but mindfulness and social awareness. Music is the best way to teach anyone because of the memorization and the melodies. I call mine "edutainment" because they're learning while being entertained.

The most rewarding thing about this new chapter is having fun while knowing I'm putting good out into the world and helping families. With this new album I'm creating, it's geared toward older kids and their families to create bonding moments and important memories they'll carry as they grow up.

Sandeep Kulkarni (29:44.974) You've also mentioned that family music is often underrated. Why do you think children's music artists still aren't given the respect and visibility they deserve?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (30:01.275) I think it's because when people think of children's music, they often think of generic music without real musicianship or songwriting. They associate it with annoying sounds. I've literally had people tell me that.

I experienced a huge discovery during the pandemic regarding just how expansive and beautiful the children's music community is, especially with diverse artists from all around the world. There are so many genres being represented now—not just folk, but hip hop, pop, doo-wop, and classical music. It's real music that teaches important things. It gets overlooked, but it needs to be respected because we are molding the next generation. Our music is incredibly important because the things you learn from music as a kid stick with you for life.

Sandeep Kulkarni (32:18.158) You're doing a great job. Every children's artist we talk to makes us realize that you're giving these kids a reason to smile and learn at a pivotal moment in their lives, and that brings the whole family together.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (32:59.501) Absolutely, it has a trickledown or trickle-up effect; it goes both ways. It's so important, but society is taught to primarily value what we hear pushed on the radio, like mainstream pop music. We idolize that and overlook children's and family music, which I believe is the most important music to lift up.

Suraaj Parab (34:08.518) Talking about your new family album, All in Good Time, it marks an important next chapter for you. What intention lives inside this project, and what do you hope families feel when they hear it?

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (34:27.773) This is definitely a turning point for me as Snooknuk because I've written my music in stages that grew with my kids. The first album was for the baby and toddler stages, the second was for toddlers starting school around ages five or six, and this next album is for older kids. Though, I say it's music for all ages because it's ultimately feel-good music.

The topics aren't about brushing your teeth or going to the park anymore; they cover things like freedom of expression, patience, and learning to speak up when something is wrong. I have a song on there called "Say Something" about not staying quiet when you see something happening, but rather getting people involved to help. It addresses older subjects that will resonate with tweens, families, and even adults, inspiring them to be more open with their friends and kids.

The title All in Good Time nails it because it's something I have to remind myself of constantly. It's about letting things take their course, letting time do its job, not rushing the process, and believing that what's meant to be will be. Making this album was a long journey, and I had to keep reminding myself to be patient. We all need a bit of that because everyone wants immediate results and accolades today.

Lucy Kalantari is producing this album, and there are some fantastic collaborators on it. The next single, coming out June 5th, is called "Do Re Mi." It's about the freedom of expression and features the Stax Music Academy Training Choir from Memphis. We recorded it down in Memphis at the historical Stax Museum. I'm also incredibly excited to have the legendary rapper Kwame bringing his amazing flow to the track, as well as fellow children's artist Pierce Freelon.

All of these added flavors take it to an amazing level. We are filming the music video on June 9th at the Stax Museum. I can't even believe it's actually happening. It feels like the right place and the right time for this album because I'm digging back into my roots and bringing my childhood influences into this project.

Sandeep Kulkarni (39:29.304) Good for you! All the best. It sounds like a great road ahead.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (39:38.969) Yeah, I think it's going to be really fun. I'm just letting the universe align and take its course.

Suraaj Parab (39:56.250) That's wonderful. We actually interviewed Pierce Freelon a few weeks ago, and his episode is releasing this week.

Sandeep Kulkarni (40:12.216) Yeah, his episode is releasing this Friday.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (40:18.310) Oh wow! Yay, that's exciting! I'm excited to see that interview; he's fantastic.

Suraaj Parab (41:00.112) It's inspiring to hear how artists weave their music from their day-to-day lives, just like how your albums naturally evolved alongside your growing children. It's a wonderful story of building an identity through expression.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (41:14.179) Thank you. When I first started writing for Snooknuk, the songs came organically during daily moments with my kids. Moving into this third album, I did wonder what older kids want to listen to since you're actively competing with major pop artists like Ariana Grande. I wondered what I could say to make them stop and listen.

Well, I brought a little gospel, a little Motown, and a little doo-wop that the whole family can dance to. They're going to enjoy it, and it's going to create a moment. I just draw from my experiences with my kids, my own childhood, and what's happening in the world to give them tools to build self-confidence and embrace freedom of expression. I'm really grateful to the universe for bringing me to this moment.

Suraaj Parab (43:04.070) Cheri, thank you so much for spending this time with us. We really appreciate the honesty, heart, and creative courage you bring to your work. Thank you.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (43:17.565) Thank you so much for reaching out and having me on to talk with you guys.

Sandeep Kulkarni (43:26.158) It was great talking to you. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that an artistic journey isn't always linear; sometimes it expands, transforms, and comes back even stronger. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Snooknuk (Cheri Moon) (43:50.743) Absolutely. Thank you for giving artists like me a platform to share our stories.

Suraaj Parab (43:59.602) To everyone listening, thank you so much for being here. Please go check out Cheri's Instagram page, her website, and her music on Apple Music and Spotify. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone, and we will see you on the next episode of Artist Conversation.