ZHZ Podcast: Independent Music & Artist Interviews

The conversation covers topics such as the band's music, tour life, podcasting, and the Everwild festival. It also delves into the band's history, the drummer's journey, and the challenges of balancing music with college. The conversation covers the evolution of the reggae rock movement, the challenges of collaboration, the influence of drumming legends, and the intentional composition of the 'First Light' album. It also explores t...

How do you start releasing music after writing privately for decades? Mark Miller shares how he began putting out songs in his mid‑fifties—learning Logic, recording with affordable gear, and finding a creative process that fits real life.

This interview is for independent musicians, late‑starting songwriters, and home‑recording artists wondering if it’s ever “too late” to begin again.

Mark, a songwriter from S...

The conversation covers Nick Stefanacci's diverse musical background, including his experiences with international music and his journey as a musician. It also delves into his album releases and his approach to singing in the studio and live performances. The conversation delves into the influence of Latin music on the artist's work, the importance of versatility in the independent music world, and the need for adaptability and fle...

Nayadnara and Galiyano join Zak and Matt to break down their new Afro-fusion/UK Garage single, "With a Little Help." The duo gets real about the grit of independent music: wearing every hat, beating imposter syndrome, and building a creative partnership across state lines. Plus, a deep dive into the Soundtrack to My Life and Rapid Fire rounds. Real talk for every artist doing it all themselves.

Follow Nayadnara & Galiyano

- Nayad...

Just Be Enough: Todd Anthony shares how rediscovering music and overcoming imposter syndrome led to his most authentic album yet.

What happens when you stop trying to write music for everyone else and finally create the music you've always wanted to hear?

In this episode of The ZHZ Podcast, we sit down with independent artist Todd Anthony to talk about rediscovering his passion after nearly two decades away from recording. Todd share...

Discover how she builds CONFIDENCE ON STAGE in this high-energy Rapid Fire Round. The ZHZ Podcast reveals live performance secrets!

In this Rapid Fire Round, singer-songwriter Elena Hirsch answers seven fast-paced questions about songwriting, live streaming, connecting with fans, handling unexpected moments on stage, and the mindset that fuels confident performances. From adapting to audience requests in real time to sharing what it...

Landing huge gigs is easier than you think. Elena Hirsch reveals her "Power of the Ask" inside our latest Independent Music & Artist Interviews. 🎤💃🏻

Watch this episode to learn how Elena went from cold-emailing news stations in Detroit to opening at The Troubadour in LA.

🔗 GUEST LINKS:

- LinkTree: Elena Hirsch

- Spotify: Listen to Irresistible

- Instagram: @elena.hirsch

- TikTok: @elenahirschx

- YouTube: @elenahirsch

- Discord: Joi...

CROCHET butterflies and DARK pop vibes with Briauna—our fastest Rapid Fire yet from Independent Music & Artist Interviews. 🎙️

Briauna pulled up for a Rapid Fire round that goes from wholesome to unhinged in the best way—crochet butterflies, dark pop energy, and the creative mindset behind the world she’s building as an indie artist.

If you love quick questions, real answers, and finding new artists before they ...

Discover how Briauna built a unique artist identity through butterflies, storytelling, and Independent Music & Artist Interviews.

Singer-songwriter, pianist, and independent artist Briauna joins Zak and Matt on the ZHZ Podcast to share her journey from writing songs at 11 years old to building a unique "musical biosphere" rooted in storytelling, vulnerability, and artistic world-building.

In this episode, we dive into her upcomin...

We smash the starving artist stereotype and explain why self-confidence in music isn't narcissistic.

Is believing in your art a sign of a massive ego, or is it just survival? In this Rapid Fire 7 episode of The ZHZ Podcast, Zak Davis and Matt Allen (Z Frequency) sit down with Ariel Vizzini to dismantle the "narcissistic" starving artist stereotype. 

Ariel breaks down the thin line between being a "crazy cat lady" and a confident...

Most artists are just happy to build a following. Alice? They built an army—no, a full-blown underground universe. If you think music is just about sounds, think again. This band has navigated the chaos of 2020, doubling down on community, creativity, and authenticity, proving that true fans want more than just a playlist—they crave belonging.

Imagine a sound that feels like a cyberpunk movie colliding headfirst with a p...

Discover how an indie artist transformed her first song into a polished masterpiece, blending raw emotion with professional quality.

Most indie artists get lost in the noise—unless you're Ariel Vizzini, who’s straight-up rewriting the rulebook. She’s a Mississippi native turned Utah sound wizard, dressing her pain in glitter and seamlessly blending vulnerability with polished, radio-ready pop. Spoiler: her secret s...

Ever felt like music is just noise and not a journey? Buckle up, because today’s Z Frequency Spotlight takes us into the moody, cinematic world of Briauna, a self-taught indie dark pop artist who’s not just creating tunes; she’s crafting atmospheres. Imagine Lana Del Rey meets Danny Elfman.

In this mini episode, I explore:

- How Briauna’s raw, instinct-driven songwriting creates vulnerability that resonates de...

The Gilder Era is here! Indie pop artist Charlie Gilder breaks down his mindset, the "Play the Game" philosophy, and finding your sound on the ZHZ Podcast.

In this episode of the ZHZ Podcast, Zak and Matt sit down with musician and producer Charlie Gilder to dive deep into his artistic journey. We talk about the transition into "The Gilder Era," the grit required to make it as an indie pop artist today, and what it really means to "...

Charlie Gilder is stepping into what he calls “The Gilder Era”—and if you’ve been stuck overthinking every move, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this ZHZ Podcast interview, we talk about the mindset shift that helps artists stop staring at the problem up close and finally zoom out. Because in Independent Music, it’s way too easy to feel behind, feel overwhelmed, and feel like the whole game is sta...

A rapid fire interview moment turns emotional when an artist describes a scent that instantly reminds everyone of grandma’s house.

What started as a fun rapid fire round took a surprisingly deep turn… and honestly, nobody saw this answer coming.

When asked what a signature scent would smell like, Michael Isaak didn’t go with anything typical—he said it reminded him of his grandparents’ house. And just l...

Discover how an artist's diaspora dreams led to the creation of a genre-defining sound, blending cultural authenticity with innovative music.

Meet Michael Isaak, a Brooklyn-based Egyptian American artist blending folk with Arabic traditions in a fresh genre he calls Arabesque Folk. From living vicariously through imagined desert carpets to crafting a unique sound that bridges worlds, Michael's journey is nothing short of inspiring&m...

In this Chris Murray spotlight, the ZHZ Podcast explores the ska legend’s King Apparatus legacy, his lasting influence on independent music, and why this mini episode matters for fans of ska and artist discovery.

Chris Murray is a true ska legend, and in this ZHZ Podcast mini episode, we spotlight his impact as a songwriter, performer, and one of the most respected voices connected to the history and evolution of ska music. Fr...

Join Rapid Fire 7 with X Minus 1 as they explore the mind-blowing upgrade for a robot drummer that will redefine your expectations.

When Robots and Space Cocktails Collide: The Out-of-This-World Band Talk

Ever wondered what happens when a band gets philosophical, drinks space beer, and imagines robot drummers with bonus arms? Well, strap in, because this episode is a cosmic ride through sci-fi fantasies, band banter, and the unglamor...