Emily Zuzik is an indie singer/songwriter based in New York. Having been active in the industry for over a decade her signature sound is a blend of electronic and alternative rock. As she prepares to release her seventh album, The Wild Joys Of Living, as well as the release of the new Moby album to which she contributed, your crusty chronicler thought now would be a good time to sit down and talk with her.
Phoenix: Thanks for making yourself available to me. I think my readers will enjoy this. The first question has to be: How did you get started?
Zuzik: Well, I like to say that I popped out singing, but I’m sure you probably meant the biz, right? I played some live shows in high school and college, but not a ton. It really wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco in 1997 followed by a bad breakup, that I began playing out live.
I had been writing since I was 12, but never had a lot of opportunities to play. Once I got my footing on the SF open mic scene, it wasn’t long until I joined a couple cover bands and formed my own band. I’ve been doing some sort of that thing ever since.
Phoenix: What is your musical background?
Zuzik: I played clarinet in (my) elementary school band and then found my way to the guitar when I was around 12. It was actually a child’s guitar my grandmother gave me on my 8th birthday that I’d shelved at the time in the basement. It must have been fate, because when I rediscovered the guitar, it was like a magical gift that allowed me to sing what I was writing. Music was so important to me then, because I never really fit in with my small town. It was a creative outlet for my growing enthusiasm for music and my frustration and loneliness where I lived.
Phoenix: Who inspires you?
Zuzik: Musically—The Beatles, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Elvis Presley, Madonna and The Rolling Stones. Generally—People who donate their time to humane causes like the environment or women’s’ rights. Children who see the world with innocence and wonder, and the adults who emulate them. People who try to keep growing spiritually, intellectually and personally, instead of “slowly dying.” I know this is vague, but I am not following a lot of “personalities” these days.
Phoenix: I believe your first record was out in 2000 right? What was your first pro or paid gig and when was that?
Zuzik: If you mean, Sexfresh’s The Fainting Room, then yes. More than likely, the first paid gig was around the same time . I began playing for tip bucket or with a door cover around 2000.
Phoenix: What do you consider your best song so far (which album is it on) and WHY?
Zuzik: Hmm, good question. It would be hard to limit it to one . My favorite three so far are—“Consequences” off Sexfresh’s Vacancy, “Breaking It Down” off You Had Me At Goodbye and “Magic” off The Jagged Life EP.
Zuzik: All three songs kind of wrote themselves. I was just there to write them down. They are all sort of love songs, but broken ones—the first two give voice to a kind of abused or neglected partner, someone who comes back for more heartbreak or stays in it because they don’t have the strength to leave yet.
Zuzik: The third is more of a song about the possibility of involvement with complications . I like the songs because they explore complex emotions in the game of love . I’ve lived every one of these scenarios and I’m sure it’s a very universal theme that doesn’t really fit into the “crazy in love” version of love on the radio.
Phoenix: Does it bother you to be compared to the likes of Sheryl Crow? Do you agree or disagree with such comparisons?
Zuzik: No, not any more. I think initially I was worried about being pigeonholed into one genre. I hadn’t worked with a lot of folks yet, and I’m not a one-trick pony by any account. Now that I’ve written with a bunch of folks and released anything from rock to trip-hop, house to folk or country, I’m content with the comparison.
Zuzik: Maybe I sound like her. I can’t tell who I sound like. I’ve heard Pat Benatar in rock scenarios or Debbie Harry. I used to get Natalie Merchant when I was younger . My voice has dropped significantly since then though. Hey, as long as folks are listening and like it, I don’t care who they think I sound like . . .here’s a thought, I sound like Emily Zuzik.
Phoenix: Is it just me or do you change your look often?
Zuzik: Yep, not too afraid to change it up. Madonna, Cher, Cindy Sherman and I have that in common.
Phoenix: Is your partner on Domestic Bliss really your partner in domestic bliss? Have you been pulling a young John Lennon and not telling anyone about your “Cynthia”?
Zuzik: No actually, that’s my good pal, Tim Lefebvre. Amazing bassist and producer and most of all, loyal friend. My partner in domestic bliss enjoys his privacy, and that bond shall remain sacred.
Phoenix: (smiling)You realize I’m heartbroken now, right? Anyway, one thing I have found lately is that some of the indie artists I interview are either accused of having a women’s rights agenda or have actually come right out and said their gender has made it difficult for them in the industry--whether it be getting hit on or not taken seriously in terms of control of the album, etc. Where do you stand and how do you feel about that? Do you think any of your songs are bit too pro-girl power and if so which one?
Zuzik: Odd question. I guess I consider myself a feminist in that I have always made it a priority to be strong and work for equal respect. I’m pretty DIY so my dealings with the “boys club” are a little more limited than some younger girls.
I also got into this industry after having had careers in areas unrelated to music, such as public relations and journalism. I think I came in with guns blazing and now having proven my talents and my respect for peoples’ time and skills, am more relaxed in my work. There are definitely men who take advantage of women, but I’m sure there’s the opposite too.
Our culture doesn’t like to put men in a position of talking about weakness though, so you hear less about it. I don’t have a problem with writing about being a strong, independent woman, nor do I have a problem with writing about those same women subjecting themselves to unhealthy situations. It’s life.
No one is a superhero, and we can always change and grow. I try to see things on the positive side these days. Why not write about being strong? It’s an admirable trait to have.
Phoenix: Tell my readers about your work with Moby. How did that come about and what was it like?
Zuzik: Moby is an interesting person. He has enormous success and is fairly quiet and contemplative. He’s involved in great causes like MoveOn.org, and he collects old drum machines and globes. I enjoyed working with him because undoubtedly, we had more conversations about odd topics than on music in general.
I met him initially when I auditioned to sing for a rock project he was working on. It never ended up seeing the light of day. Later on, he asked me to sing on a song for his next record. I don’t know if that song ever made the cut either, but then we decided to write together and one of our collaborations was “The Low Hum” on his next record, Destroyed . . . coming (this month).
Phoenix: Tell me a secret. Tell me something you have never revealed to any other interviewer? Tell me something you would feel uncomfortable with telling Rolling Stone or Blender. It’s just the two of us having a chat, okay? Have some fun and remember MY readers have open minds, mmmkay?
Zuzik: I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that. OK, one year when I was at Burning Man, I decided to ride around in only a crocheted skirt to see what it was like to be publicly nude. There was something about breaking the taboo of it (even though at Burning Man there are LOTS of naked folks).
It could be the 8 years of Catholic School as a child to deprogram. In the end, I got over doing it. I was probably photographed by those creepy dudes with the long lenses. Lastly, I found out that when you’re overheated, your boobs droop and that’s NOT attractive, at least from my perspective.
Phoenix: What do you like best about being a solo artist?
Zuzik: I like conceiving, crafting and running the project as one person. I love music. I love stage performance. I love design. I love photography. As a solo artist, you have a hand in all that.
Phoenix: What do you like the least?
Zuzik: Sometimes, you simply can’t get the best result on a project because you’re too down in it to see the other possibilities. Collaboration allows other peoples’ perspectives and ideas better shape songs or artwork or even events.
Phoenix: Is there something you always long to see in the press but for some reason it never makes it into print . . . perhaps something that a magazine like Rolling Stone wouldn’t really care about? If so, here’s your chance to put it out there.
Zuzik: I’m kind of a sucker for those cross-species “let’s all get along” stories, but I think CBS has the patent on that. I like finding out about people who are doing very “grassroots” projects for the planet. It could be creating a more sustainable way of life or bringing cultures together to find common bonds.
I feel like the media likes to focus on war and hate mongering and the rich and famous . There’s a lot of people out there who don’t want to fight others and aren’t going to be a celebrity . I like to hear about those stories.
Phoenix: When we were chatting earlier you said you had a new album coming out and would be moving out here to MY stomping grounds. So here’s where I ask what’s next for you? What are you planning for and/or hoping for in the future?
Zuzik: Well, I am releasing my next full studio record, The Wild Joys of Living, in late June. I’m very excited about it, because I’ve never made an organic rock record before, despite playing that way live for over 10 years. I will play select cities and continue to try to get the music licensed for TV or film.
I also have a few more releases coming out this year (though not sure when yet) with Art Hays (with whom I did the theme for NBC’s “Love Bites”) and REFIX in London. I just learned that NBC has scheduled it show Love Bites for (a) summer June 2 (release). I sang the theme song which is a punky cover of The Pretender's “Message of Love”!
I am looking to move out West, LA area, by next year . In fact, Tim from the record Domestic Blitz is already there, and we’re plotting a new band for the local scene via emails! I hope to do more commercial music work too .
Frankly, I’m also just ready to return to California. I miss being an hour or two in any direction from the desert, the mountains, the ocean or wine country. It’s pretty much the Promised Land!
Phoenix: D@mn! I almost forgot! Something I forgot to ask a few of the other ladies I’ve interviewed for this series: Do you have guy groupies? Do you think your gender works for you in concert especially?
Zuzik: Ha! I was just joking with my NY guitarist who now has a steady girlfriend, “Hey Wes, how’s your lady fan-base doing these days?” He got the joke.
Let’s just say that there will always be fans who fall in love with the mystery of who you are over who you ACTUALLY are. I’ve seen some of those men drop off since I got married. Though, I think it’s also clarified the relationship between fan and artist with others.
I find my interactions are far less stressful now that the “love” potential is off the table. I also think that being a strong woman who rocks out makes a good show for men and women alike. Women can often judge each other harshly, but we have a good background in cheering on our peers too. And men who love and respect women, usually enjoy watching them soar. It’s a win-win!
Phoenix: I could hang with you longer but I know you have a busy schedule and I have deadlines to meet. I appreciate your spending time with me and my readers. Thanks Emily!
There you have it! Emily Zuzik, boys and girls! Watch for her. As always . . .
My name is Phoenix and . . . that’s the bottom line.
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