Like recycled trends, the question “Is Rock Dead” always seems to continuously resurface. The cries of a distorted guitar and Zach Person’s smooth bluesy vocals pierce through the speakers and I can’t help but think Rock IS alive and it is finding its own way to thrive. Person took an Elvis classic, flipped it on it’s head and completely made it his own with a groovy, fuzz heavy sound.
Along with Person’s Presley cover, he recently released a full LP. The first track, ‘Can’t Stop Running’, blew me away and I knew I had to add it to our Rock My Soul playlist. So without further ado, check out my interview with Zach and give the new Rock My Soul update a listen below!
PLUS! Tune into the BANDEDPR Instagram on Monday, April 12th as Zach takes over for the day.
First off, I just want to say how incredible this LP is. Truly blown away by your artistry. Tell us about your vision behind the LP and where you found your inspiration.
ZP: Thank you! With the EP I released last March, it was very much about making a clear statement of who I was as an artist. With the new LP, I was able to explore a bit more and show different sides of myself as a songwriter. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled a lot and have experienced performing many different styles of music. Everything from rock to blues, americana, jazz, funk, and hip hop. I love to blend “the best” of all of these styles of music to make music that is really dynamic.
What does your songwriting process look like?
ZP: My songwriting process usually starts off with me going into a quiet room with no distractions. I try to limit myself to working with basic “ingredients” (my voice, an acoustic guitar, piano, etc.), and avoid brining too many elements into the song before the tune itself is actually completed. It’s my method of making sure that the songs at their core are truly solid songs that can stand on their own even in their rawest form. Then I will begin making demos and I’ll have Jake (drummer / collaborator) add in his percussive parts and give me feedback on what I’ve done thus far.
If someone only had time to listen to one song off the LP, which would you suggest?
ZP: I would tell them to listen to “Can’t Stop Running”. It’s just such an energetic song with great production and a good balance of vintage and modern sounds.
What got you into music - was there a defining moment where you said to yourself THIS is what I want to do with my life? When did you start playing guitar?
ZP: My mother was a really talented singer, and she got me listening to lots of music as a little kid. However, I didn’t really get into music myself until I was about 10 years old. I was an avid skateboarder and was exposed to heavy, alternative rock at the skateparks. That peaked my interest in guitar based music. Then when I was 11, I began taking lessons from Baxter Clement (Owner of Casino Guitars in North Carolina) and he introduced me to the blues. Once I saw people like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan play, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.
You were a contestant on American Idol, what was that like? What’s one thing you learned from your experience?
ZP: Overall, it was a good experience for me. Up until that point I’d always seen myself as a guitarist first and foremost. Going on the show made me focus on myself as a singer and an all around performer before being a guitarist. I’m also glad that I left the show when I did, because I was able to be avoid getting into any “too heavy” contracts and develop naturally into the artist that I am today.
Record Label deals can sometimes be limiting to artists, but you seem to be in quite a unique position. How’s it feel to not only be Blackdenim’s flagship artist but to have complete creative control and have an equity position?
ZP: It’s definitely not a typical situation. Early on we realized that the three of us (Christopher Durst, Will Loconto, and myself) made an amazing team, and that we had the unique ability and circumstances to do something really special. With Christopher being C.E.O. and Will being the President of Recorded Music, they’ve positioned me as best as possible to be able to continue to focus on being the flagship artist and creative head of the label. There are definitely more responsibilities that I carry in being a partner with them, but it’s a good balance between the three of us and the rest of our team that we have been filling out here recently.
What artists do you have on heavy rotation as of late?
ZP: I’ve been listening to a lot of The White Stripes, Chris Stapleton, and Madison Cunningham lately! Also, my LP (haha).
As live music starts to return, who would you love to tour with?
ZP: Ooh. A dream tour would probably be one with The Black Keys, Chris Stapleton, and St. Vincent.
ARTISTS FEATURED: Zach Person, Roxx Revolt & The Velvets, Dirty Honey, Gin Wigmore, DEVORA, Greta Van Fleet, Them Vibes, Starbenders, Caleb Johnson, Mammoth WVH, True Villains, Old Eastern, Them Evils, + more!