Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Moonray

Barbara and Jonray Higginbotham—better known as Moonray—are a charming duo who are mesmerizing audiences with their signature pop sound with a cosmic twist. The pair, who are partners in life, have been hard at work crafting their new EP, Honeymoon, set to be released on February 14, 2020. It’ll feature their new single, “No Stranger to Love”, and we caught up with them to chat all about it.

PC: How did you both discover your passion for music?
Jonray: I discovered my passion at five when I made my debut harmonica performance with Bert Wills. Since then, I’ve been all about music.

Barb: I have always been fascinated by music. I used to listen to my parents’ old vinyl records, which included Abba, The Beatles, and Blondie, amongst others. I imagined myself singing and performing one day. I learned instruments here and there throughout the years but never saw it as a career possibility until I met Jonray and Moonray was born.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your careers?
Moonray: Supportive family, friends, fans, the Great Spirit, and Prince.

PC: Tell us the back story about how you met.
Barb: Jonray came up to me at the bar as I was getting cheesecake to-go at the local Baker Street Pub.

Jonray: As soon as I saw her, I knew she was someone special and I had to pursue her.

Barb: He tried for over three weeks to meet up with failed attempts until we made it out to lunch and we’ve been inseparable from there on.

Jonray: It was a revelation during our Enchanted Rock camping trip that our partnership in music became Moonray.

PC: How challenging is it to manage that dynamic?
Moonray: It’s the most amazing journey. It has its ups and downs like any relationship. Life is a rollercoaster, and with time, we learn from one another and better understand each other. We’ve learned to respect each other both as a husband and wife and as partners in crime in our endeavors. We both started a business together, later became Moonray, followed by our marriage, and we know we are in it for the long haul in all of it. The challenges are what help us become better. Bring them on! [laughs]

PC: Tell us about your new single, “No Stranger to Love”. What inspired the song?
Moonray: We draw inspiration from our lives, the moments in time that created an impact on who we are now. This song is a reflection of our romance, with its ups and downs. We’ve come far since the first years of our relationship; we’ve grown together for the best and love each other for who we each are.

PC: You’ve released a few singles so far. If you had to choose one that best encompasses you all as a duo, which would it be and why?
Moonray: “No Stranger to Love”. The song showcases some of the challenges that we faced at the start of our relationship—alcoholism, laziness, poor diet, poor choices—and how, in a way, they helped us grow as Moonray. This song has both yin and yang energies from the silky cosmic synthesizers to the way our vocals are intertwined.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Moonray: Neil Young and Norah Jones

PC: First album you bought?
Jonray: Green Day’s Dookie

Barb: I honestly can’t remember. It might’ve been Spice Girls or Aqua.

PC: First concert you attended?
Jonray: Stevie Ray Vaughn! I went at two and a half.

Barb: Yellowcard at Stubbs Austin

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Jonray: Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. I remember listening to it over and over again and it overwhelmed me with so many different emotions. I was hooked.

Barb: Abba Gold: The Greatest Hits. Living in Monterrey, it was different and unique and got me dancing and singing.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Moonray: Sydney Hall in Australia would be amazing.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Moonray: A cooler. We like stopping by the grocery shop and stocking up on healthy goodies to avoid eating fast food.

To keep up with Moonray, follow them on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “No Stranger to Love” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.