Q&A: ZËxÏÏ
BORN & RAISED IN DUNEDIN, PRODUCER & ARTIST ZËXÏÏ IS ONE OF OUR TOP PICKS FOR ONES TO WATCH IN 2022. FROM BEING IN THE TOP 4 ON TVNZ’S POPSTARS, RECEIVING ONE OF THE FIRST SIX60 SCHOLARSHIPS TO DROPPING HIS LATEST TWO SINGLES ‘INDIGO’ AND ‘DONE’, BIG THINGS ARE COMING AND WE’RE HERE FOR THE RIDE.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY SO FAR FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SINGING AND PRODUCING!
I first started singing in choir at Balmacewen Intermediate, and after that I gave up on singing until I was 19. I first started producing in high school in year 9. I learned by listening through my brother’s bedroom wall and from watching him sometimes if he let me get into his room to listen. He is still one of the best producers I have ever met.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE ON TVNZ’S POPSTARS AND WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS?
My experience was wild. I never went onto the show to like win or anything. My drive for staying on the show the whole time was to spread my message of healing (making sure as many people as possible heard it) and it was to learn as much as I can to prepare me for the industry. I feel like I did that. It was one of the best learning experiences I have ever done. I got to see what it’s like to be an artist at the top and experience that. I knew right there that this is what I wanted - after going back to normal life it’s just a drive to get back to that level so I can continue doing what I love. For me, yelling at the bottom of the mountain reaches less of the land than yelling at the highest peak of the mountain. I plan on using my platform as an artist to do that. The biggest highlight though, was probably being driven everywhere in cool fully tinted black vans. Had me feeling like Mr T.
HAHA AMAZING! WE’RE BUMPING ONE OF YOUR LATEST TRACKS “INDIGO”! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THIS TRACK AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
This track is basically about self respect, I wanted to empower people to really question chasing people who won’t chase them. I know how emotionally draining it is to love someone who doesn't love or put effort back into you. I remember Aidan, Timon and I having this discussion before we even started putting those feelings into the track. We wanted to put deep lyrics on a fun beat. Hide medicine in a donut.
WHAT WAS THE WRITING & PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR ‘INDIGO’ LIKE?
It was insane - the bulk of the song was made in about 4 hours on the first day of Parachute writing camp. The last parts were back and forth sending stems on the production between Timon and I, because of COVID. We worked so hard during lockdown to get this song out.
INCREDIBLE! AND MOST RECENTLY, YOU DROPPED YOUR SINGLE ‘DONE’! WHAT’S THE CONCEPT OF THIS TRACK AND WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART WORKING ON THIS ONE?
I loved making “Done” because I wanted to challenge myself to make the dumbest, most annoying melody but make it sound good and be super catchy. I was trying to be a menace with this one. I remember the day Timon and I made it, it was a week after the Popstars finale and I had literally hit the ground running. Like I had back to back studio sessions for 2 weeks.
WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?
Maaan, I think my biggest inspirations are Jon Bellion, CHAII, Russ, Travis Scott, Kiana Ledé, Michael Jackson, Tyler, The Creator, Arctic Monkeys, SIX60, Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Frank Ocean. It’s their work ethic, and the fact that they really went through it to get where they are now, and to me that just drives me. More and more every day.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU LOVE OR CONNECT WITH?
I absolutely love ‘COTTON CANDY’ - Y$O, ‘Plain’ - BENEE, ‘Maybe Lean’ - Adam Snow, ‘Down On Your Luck’ - SACHI, ‘Favourite Clothes’ - Balu Brigada, ‘Surfin’ - Muroki and ‘Never Enough’ - SIX60.
YES ALL THOSE TRACKS ARE ABSOLUTE TUNES! WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS TO VISIT?
I love Aotearoa so much. I really love green and plants and the Land of the Long White Cloud has an endless supply of it. Te Anau is my favourite spot in the world - I see myself retiring there or at least buying a holiday home there sometime in the future. I also really like going to Queenstown in the summer (I’ve done it once but I can still claim I love doing it lol. )
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST SO FAR?
To stop being disappointed in myself, to count my blessings, to use my platform for the bettering of society, and to make music for myself before I consider anyone else. It’s okay to say no to things, to get validation from myself and not everyone else’s opinions about me. I also learned it’s okay to take a break, you don't have to be go go go 24/7; your brain can’t handle that. Lastly I learned to trust the process and to just keep going even when it feels pointless, nothing that you do is ever wasted.
LOVE IT! LASTLY, IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Spread Agape. Stop judging and try to be objective in every situation. Always see both sides of a story and remember we all make mistakes and the best thing on this planet is educating people. It trumps slandering any day.
THANKS SO MUCH ZËXÏÏ! MAKE SURE YOU KEEP WITH HIM ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, SPOTIFY & APPLE MUSIC.
