Hi all! Back at it again with another press conference blog. Thanks to 1824, I was able to be included with this one. This press conference is really exciting, I got to attend the conference with guest, Zedd! You may know him from his catchy hits, “The Middle”, “Stay”, “Clarity”, “I Want You To know”, “Stay The Night”, etc. He is a GRAMMY Award-winning multi-platinum artist that has been making incredibly amazing music for more than a decade. He was born in Russia and grew up in Germany and has had so much success throughout the years. He just dropped his new album, Telos which is his first album in nearly a decade. This album features some other great artists such as Remi Wolf, John Mayer, Muse, Bea Miller, Dora Jar, The Olllam, and the late voice of Jeff Buckley. This is an album filled with sounds of nostalgia and intrigue. There is a taste of music for everyone packed into this album. Let’s get into it.
Adrian from the DePaul Music Business Organization asked, “As a raver myself, the EDM community is a unique and welcoming community, what’s your favorite part about the community.” Zedd responded and said she basically answered his answer. “I love how it is based around love and acceptance, that is something that’s not given in today’s world. The world can use a lot of what the EDM scene stands for. I am thinking how it started out, it was built around supporting each other. That is very unique, I have worked a lot in pop industry, and there is a lot of spite and hate in that. It is unique. When I play a remix with other artist friends, we play with each other and support each other. We are going through this together and making the scene a better place together. When I play shows, I look around and everyone is smiling, happy, crying happy tears, and it is a beautiful feeling. It is a unique genre and not the same for every genre.” Wow, I really love his take on this. I never thought of how different genres can be but I kind of want to get into EDM now for the community aspect. I love Zedd’s music and jamming along but have never been to a concert that is only EDM music. I will definitely consider now, maybe I will see Zedd on tour tbh :’)
Crystal from Superstar Magazine asked, “It’s almost been 10 years since your last album, how has your music process changed since then and did that help Telos?” Zedd responded and shared that the “First difference is that 10 years ago I felt insecure working on vocals in songs, especially the lyrics in english.” Zedd explains that English is his third language. “I was born in Russia and grew up in Germany so English is my third language. I also am not the singer, i want the singer to feel like it’s part of them. On Telos, particular in vocals, I was more involved lyrically and everything. My level of knowledge producing music is better and I try a lot more with it. My sound is a lot more mature, less show offy. Knowing when less is more. knowing right places to explore. More mature as I am as a human.” I really love this answer to this question. “Knowing when less is more” is such a wise quote I love it.
Esosa Zuwa from Moonbow Magazine asked, “Telos is a cinematic sounding album, what kind of TV show or movie would you see your tracks on?” Zedd answers and says, “different songs have different connections. Before Muse was on it, the track always felt kind of like a space movie, like a 2 minute long [scene] where it is inevitable that something is about to happen, like a countdown. Hopefully it could be in something grand or spacey.” He says he is not the pro on movies or tv shows but that is still impressive to have a sound that sounds like a cinematic masterpiece. It would be amazing to fulfill that vision, I believe he can!
Esos also asked about the inspirations for his collaborators on Telos. It is huge honor to work with these collaborators he explains. “i used to be in a band, we did a cover of “Plug In Baby” was the fist song we played. I have listened to John’s music for years. Jeff Buckley, I grew up listening to him, he taught me that music can be really good if you put the work into it to be that good. Bea Miller made me be able to finish songs i was stuck with for so long, her voice is so versatile. She can sound like Billie Eilish and Adele at the same time. These are incredible artists that inspire me and push me to be a better artist.” I loved this answer so much.
Lauren from Music Vault Magazine asked, “How was writing Telos different from True Colors or Clarity?” Zedd answered and said, “With Clarity, I didn’t know i was writing Clarity. I was in the studio helping Lady Gaga, I had already 10 songs for Lady Gaga before we met. I decided to make music for myself at this point. While making the music, I was halfway through and realizing i have an album and started filling in the gaps. With Telos, I have a concept and was planning ahead a lot more. I knew i wanted to have an orchestra connecting everything and have the flexibility to fit any genre. Telos is more of a concept album than Clarity. True Colors was in between. Each song has a different flavor. I also am realizing while answering this question that I like same things in each album. I always love an unconventional chord progression in the first song. This happens in the same places in the albums. The last song is always the longest song and feels like a journey. I gravitate to the same structure in albums. Telos had core ideas while the others developed naturally.” That is so interesting that he was realizing that while answering the question, it makes so much sense though and I love that about his music. I feel honored to have been there to watch him come to realize that while answering the question, great question!
Zoe from Music Mukbang asked, “You have done concerts, residencies, and festivals. What is the most challenging overall and what is the most fun?” This was a tough question Zedd explained. “This current tour is the most challenging in terms of show because I haven’t played drums in years. Also the aspect of making a good show makes it challenging because higher standards rise and I want it to be the best it can be. Also, if you can hear it, i want to show it including snaps etc. There are multiple people working multiple shifts to get what i want it to be.” That sounds like a lot of hard work, props to him, production, and everyone involved. On the other hand, Zedd explains the most fun which said was a tough question it’s all fun. He said, “Omnia in Las Vegas is the best club in the world. I am always blown away by the chandelier. I get to enjoy just as much of the show as everyone else.” Zoe said that was selling her on Omnia and I totally agree!
Caitlin from 1824 aka *the amazing moderator for this press conference* asked a questioning regarding Zedd’s recent Apple Music Interview with Zane Lowe (which he is a geat interviewer), “what are tips for journalists when interviewing artists?” Zedd loves this question too and explains that, “Zane Lowe is a conversationalist as well as an interviewer. As an artist, i really appreciate when interviews don’t feel like interviews. Some interviews, I get into deep emotional answers to questions and then goes into next question and that doesn’t make me feel good. It’s good to have bullet points and points you want to cover, but just talk. Jeff Buckley, before he passed Zane had got to talk to him and Zedd had “Dream Brother” and Zane was a great person to share “Dream Brother” with. He wanted to have him and his wife’s blessing. “Dream Brother” was the most inspirational song, and had permission to create it in his own way while keeping the spirit of Jeff Buckley’s legacy alive. Zane is very fluid at talking, making you feel like it is natural back and forth. It feels more comfortable and will have better answers too.” I really love that question and answer, thank you Caitlin! That is a wise answer and I am keeping that advice handy too, we all love a good convo. Nice and personable for everyone.
I really believe that Zedd is a kind and humble artist that deserves all the success. He really did pour EVERYTHING into this album and I hope it takes off for him. I enjoyed listening to his answers, he is a really nice guy and so talented. I highly HIGHLY recommend taking a listen to Telos and all his other music. Check him out live too! I know I want to.
Thank you so much for reading along! I love attending these press conference because it reminds me about all of the great artists out there and entices me to listen to more of them. There is music out there for everyone and discovering new music is endless for everyone. I grew up jamming to Zedd’s music so this was kind of full circle for me :’) He continues to release incredible music and I am proud that he has released his new album, Telos!
Check out his album and socials to stay up to date with what he is up to and his new music!
“Telos has multiple meetings, one of them being ‘accomplishment’ or ‘completion of human art,’” he says. “‘The end’ is another interpretation of it, and I relate to all of them. I grew up listening to these albums that shaped me as a musician, and I never thought I would be able to create anything as good as those, but as I was completing Telos, I really felt the same emotion I was given by those incredible albums when I grew up. I created something I didn’t think I was capable of—it just took a long time.” -EDM.com and UMG
Thank you again! Until next time, peace fam! ✌🏻
– Andie :)💛
Listen Telos HERE
Oh Andie 
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