Elizabeth Moen eager for Iowa City return

Update: Elizabeth Moen’s concert in Iowa City has been postponed till April 22. She was originally slated to perform April 7 during the Mission Creek Festival.

Elizabeth Moen didn't realize it, but when the pandemic started two years ago, she was homeless. It was not a great time to be without shelter when the world had to be sequestered.

The charismatic singer/songwriter, who crafts soulful rock songs, was musician-homeless.

“I was floating from couch to couch at the time,” she said. “I had to figure something out due to the situation."

So Moen, 28, moved from Iowa City to Chicago.

“It was the best situation for me,” she said. “Being a roommate in Chicago was cheaper than anything I could find in Iowa City. It's been good for me.”

It's a new city, new music and a new look for the formerly platinum blonde performer.

“I went swimming in a pool (during 2020) and my hair turned green,” she said. “It was a disaster. I went to a hair stylist (in Iowa City) who I won't name, who made it worse. It’s been easier on me and my budget to just go with what I have.”

Moen is no worse for wear as a brunette with reddish highlights. It doesn't impact her creative output, which is in a higher gear in the Windy City.

Moen, who grew up in Vinton, has crafted an album's worth of material.

“I've been looking for a record deal for a while but it's a tough time to find one,” she said. “So I'm putting out a single every month.”

“Is Heaven Just a Waiting Room” is Moen's latest clever and catchy cut.

“The song hit me when I was looking out a window of where I'm working in Chicago, and I was thinking of who I was going out with at the time,” Moen said. “Could heaven be when you're with someone you love or if you're thinking of them? Who knows?”

Expect Moen to deliver her new material April 22 at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City, rescheduled from her original Mission Creek Festival opening night performance April 7.

“I can't wait to see a bunch of old friends in Iowa City. I can't wait to perform,” she said.

“It's been so difficult getting shows lately. “The market is oversaturated (with recording artists) and some (recording artists) have agents, it's easier for them. But I'll be back playing in Iowa City and I'll be with my band from Chicago.

“The other cool thing is that I'll be able to show my band some of my favorite places in town.”

Moen misses The Dandy Lion's eggs Benedict and biscuits and gravy.

“There are so many great places in Iowa City,” she said. “There's no place like it.”

Moen is bummed The Mill is history, having been razed at the end of January.

“That's where I had my first open mic and so many other experiences,” she said. “It's so sad The Mill is gone.”

But Moen still is plugging away. The University of Iowa alum envisioned teaching English in another country or French or Spanish in America, but she was bitten by the music bug during her senior year of college seven years ago.

She was a huge music fan as a teen, favoring iconic songsmiths like Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

However, Moen never thought she could become a singer/songwriter.

“It was a confidence thing,” she said. “It was an anxiety thing. I didn't think I was equipped to be a songwriter. I questioned whether I had anything worthwhile to sing.”

Fortunately some of her friends intervened. After singing some of her songs while working in a restaurant, Moen was encouraged to showcase her material at The Mill.

“I got over my fears and anxiety, and discovered something I would rather do than teach language,” she said.

Moen quit her three part-time jobs to focus entirely on music.

“It all goes back to me playing The Mill,” she said. “So many friends and family came out to support me. Strangers were very supportive of me that night. I knew I had to go for it.”

And she has no regrets.

“I'm where I should be — writing songs, recording and performing,” she said. “I'm so glad it worked out this way, rather than teaching a language. I'm an Iowa girl but I've adapted to being a Chicagoan. At least I get to go back to Iowa and do what I love, which is perform.”