Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Zachary Friederich
Zachary Friederich is a genre-hopping songwriter based in New York who has also spent time in Nashville, Seattle, Chicago, and St. Louis. His music has been featured on PBS and in many independent films including the award-winning “Naked As We Came.” His music has a focus on storytelling.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I’ve been in love with The Beatles my whole life. My parents had multiple albums on vinyl and I would take those records and transfer them onto blank tapes and listen to them all the time.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I’ve been playing in bands and writing songs since I was 12. It’s not really something I would describe as a passion. It’s more like how my brain is wired. There is constantly music going through my head. When I was a kid sitting in class I would be compelled to bang out a beat with my pencil. If I had to be quiet, I would click my teeth together to the beat. I can be taking a shower and I’ll be writing lyrics in my head. My recording music is my way of freeing these songs from my head.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My new EP, ‘Whistleblower Songs Volume Five,’ is the latest installment in a project in which my songwriting partner, David Lowell, and I go back and record the music from our teenage punk band, Whistleblower.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I don’t have a single sound. I’ve been described as a genre-hopping songwriter and that fits the bill. I love catchy melodies, sonic experimentation, and rawness. I strive to write lyrics that actually say something.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I don’t know if this is something I’ve learned, but I’ve enjoyed the freedom of being a solo artist and not being bound to a sound or a style that comes with being in a band. It changed the way I write because I left the box of being just one thing.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
There’s too many to name. I love effect pedals and I used the PURPLL pedal by Montreal Assembly all over the last Whistleblower EP.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I had the honor of producing Et Tu Brutus’ single, ’26 Minutes.’ It’s a fantastic piece of teenage garage pop. It’s super catchy! Also, I’m really looking forward to the new record by Perfect Weather For Humans.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
They are as entwined as the heart to the body.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
That doesn’t matter to me. However one feels about a piece of art is a part of their own journey and has nothing to do with the artist. I would hope to avoid indifference.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
It’s not really a lesson, but songwriting has always been a north star in my life. It has given me purpose and I am forever grateful for that.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
As far as a venue, the Ryman is full of a lot of footsteps that I would be honored to follow. As far as my recordings go, it’s always a pleasure to get a song placed in a film or TV show. To have one of my songs placed with anything associated with Batman would be a childhood dream come true.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I recently recorded a song with my old band, Bibowats. We hadn’t done anything together in years and the whole situation was a bit out of the blue. I really enjoyed making music with those guys again. I don’t know if we’ll do anything else but I would jump at the opportunity.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/63vqahfTVk1h3kpU2o7JKk?si=rVxcD8w1Sj-pIx14BuHrFQ
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/zacharyfriederich
IG: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfriederich/
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
The next chapter is the next song. I should have 3 or 4 EPs coming out next year. I’ll keep going till something stops me.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I’m just happy they’re listening.
