Name: Zahara Jaime aka zzzahara
Nationality: American-Mexican-Filipino
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current release: zzzahara's new album Spiral Your Way Out is out now via Lex.
Recommendations: Taffy Brodesser - Akner - the Long Island Compromise; good book that I read last month. Amazing author and story.
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love songs; This record has been my go-to all month.

If you enjoyed this zzzahara interview and would like to know more about their music, visit them on Instagram, and bandcamp.  
 


Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in writing lyrics or poetry? How and when did you start writing?

Yeah for sure. There are 3 core records that come to mind that sparked my writing. System of a Down - Toxicity. My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Linkin Park - Meteora.



I remember being mad young and thinking wow these are some magical people. You can feel what they say. I love it.

My earliest memory of writing was probably 11. I learned a couple chords and would just sing whatever came to mind.

Entering new worlds and escapism through music and literature have always exerted a very strong pull on me. What do you think you are drawn to most when it comes to writing?

I’ve always been drawn to the honesty of my life.

It’s like that meme “my life is a movie.” It really is and sometimes I keep it to myself to save for a song or sometimes I don’t process it until I’m writing music.

What were some of the artists and albums which inspired you early on purely on the strength of their lyrics? What moves you in the lyrics of other artists?

Elliot Smith’s entire discography, but mostly XO.



He’s one of those artists that can cram a million words into a song but make it meaningful in a way that’s brilliant and emotional. I really don’t think anyone matches up to him when it comes to lyrics.

My favorite storyteller in music is definitely Gerard Way … all of the MCR records feel like a novel. I think Brendan Urie also does that for Panic at the Disco, but his lyrics make you feel like Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl.



It is sometimes said that “music begins where words end.” What do you make of that?

For sure. I think all the sadness from this record made me not want to explore serious dating. I’ve let myself be alone now for quite some time and I like the power of knowing that I can be alone. It’s a healing aspect.

That saying rings true … there are things music can make you feel in which you could not express with language.

I have always considered many forms of music to be a form of poetry as well. Where do you personally see similarities? What can music express which may be out of reach for poetry?

I feel that too … but only sometimes. There are some songs that are just good without being poetic. Then there are those with lyrics that just move your heart and brain simultaneously.

The Magnetic Fields - "I Don’t Want to Get Over You." That track feels like pure poetry. Music just adds an extension of ecstasy.



I feel like everyone is in charge of the soundtrack to their life and can apply or relate to whatever melody that music lends them. Poetry doesn’t have a beat.

The relationship between words and music has always intrigued me. How do you see it? In how far can music take you to places with your writing you would possibly not have visited without it?

Music and words have got this magical component to them. I always feel like the melody dictates what I feel like writing. Usually with happy songs, I’m not going to write sad lyrics.

Whenever I’m in Europe … playing small towns in Germany for example … when I’m hanging out with everyone after the show and they’re telling me how they relate to the music …I feel pretty emotional. Because it’s the music that connects us together.

It’s nice to explore parts of the world where it doesn’t feel like you’re a tourist and your art is actually valued.

What are areas/themes/topics that you keep returning to in your lyrics?

Probably depression and relationships.

On the basis of a piece off your most recent release, tell me about how the lyrics grew into their final form and what points of consideration were.

I usually say what I have to say right then and there.

The lyrics come out quickly because the content revolves around thoughts I have bottled up inside of me.

I'd love to know how you think the meaning or effect of an individual song is enhanced, clarified or possibly contradicted by the EPs, or albums it is part of. Does the song, for example, need to be consistent with the larger whole?

I used to feel like songs didn’t really need to be consistent to be on an album. Now I’m starting to view it differently where I do think I’m more pleased if everything connects.

Spiral Your Way Out is a record that I think remains consistent … I wouldn’t boot off any of the tracks on there.

When you're writing song lyrics, do you sense or see a connection between your voice and the text? Does it need to feel and sound “good” or “right” to sing certain words? What's your perspective in this regard of singing someone else's songs versus your own?

I studied phonetics in college via my Speech Language pathology degree …I’m always stuck on what sounds right phonetically. It’s definitely a feeling.

It’s also based on locality. Always cool to sing a song from a band or person with a different accent. Sometimes songs sung in a different language hit different even though you can’t understand the lyrics. Russian lo-fi is super dope.

I would love to know a little about the feedback you've received from listeners or critics about what they thought some of your songs are about – have there been “misunderstandings” or did you perhaps even gain new “insights?”

I feel like the critics sometimes get it right but most of the songs are pretty straight forward. My fans for sure tend to get it right.

Most of the feedback I get is, “this song helped me with a breakup.” Sounds right to me.

How do you see the relationship between harmony, rhythm and melody? Do you feel that honing your sense of rhythm and groove has an effect on your lyrics-writing skills?

It’s all one unique marriage. Yeah if the beat and the bass isn’t good then the song might not be all it’s cracked up to be. There are def tons of good acoustic songs that embody all three that have impactful lyrics.

I start on acoustic guitar before writing a full instrumental song, because if it can sound good naked it can sound better with all the instruments.

What is the value of song lyrics or hip hop bars outside of the music?

It’s either a lesson or a quote that gives you inspiration outside of the music.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing song lyrics or poetry is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Yeah, usually when I make coffee I’m on autopilot, but when I make music I’m embodying whatever I’m feeling in that moment or reliving what I have felt before.

I used to be a pretty avoidant person, so I guess it’s just being honest with myself. I’m not going to spill my feelings while making a cup of coffee.