Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Zaya
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My very first memory in life is actually connected to music. I must have been under five years old, singing “Alle meine Entchen” (all my ducks) with my great-grandfather. I remember holding a little plastic toy microphone from a marble run. That was the moment music became part of my world.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Music has always been a part of me, but the moment I started creating it was when I was around sixteen. I recorded something with my cousin for fun; and it just clicked. After that, I started experimenting on my own, writing, recording, and realizing that this was the way I could express myself best.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Right now, my music revolves a lot around self-discovery, that in-between space of your twenties where you’re trying to figure out who you are, where you’re going, and who still fits into your life. It’s about navigating change, distance, and identity, and turning all those emotions into sound.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Emotional and dynamic. My songs move between highs and lows, sometimes full of energy, sometimes introspective, always driven by feeling. It’s a sound that asks questions rather than giving answers.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I’ve learned how important it is to capture the scene and feeling of a moment to make it relatable. It’s not just about melody, but about emotion and imagery.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I always need my piano for chords, my recorder (because I forget melodies instantly), my notebook for lyrics, and Cubase for my first demo sketches.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Hiatus Kaiyote – “The Lung.” There’s just something about their sound; it’s organic, deep, and unpredictable.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Completely. I can only write when I can relate to something myself. My experiences shape my sound, sometimes in ways I can’t even control. You can’t choose what happens to you, but you can choose to turn it into art; and that’s where my best music usually comes from.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
That self-discovery takes time It’s messy, full of ups and downs, but it’s worth it. I want people to know they’re not alone in that. There’s hope in the process, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That listeners are incredibly intuitive. People don’t just want to hear something nice, they want to feel something real. Music connects because people see their own stories in it. That awareness changed the way I write; it’s about inviting others into that shared emotional space.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I don’t really have a specific festival or venue in mind; but one dream of mine is to perform with a big band one day, especially with a full brass section. There’s something so powerful and energetic about that sound. I’d love to reinterpret my songs in that kind of setting, to feel the depth and warmth of live instruments around me. That would be a dream moment.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Definitely Amy Winehouse. I don’t know anyone who could write songs that are so deeply relatable and vulnerable, yet somehow still make you feel good, even when the stories behind them are painful. I think it would’ve been fascinating to see her creative process; to understand what was happening inside her when she wrote something like “Love Is a Losing Game.” She was such an inspiring and complex artist, and I would’ve loved to learn from her.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
You can find my music on Spotify and all major platforms under Zaya. I’m also on Instagram @zaya_musix, and you can check out my latest video on TikTok: @zaya_musix
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want to grow. Not just in sound, but in connection. To play live more, to reach people who’ve maybe felt the same things I sing about, and to keep creating something that feels real and honest.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That everything I write comes from a true place. I want people to feel the growth, the uncertainty, and the hope in my music, because it’s all part of who I am and who I’m still becoming.
