Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Zach Outman
I am a Louisville based singer-songwriter trying to find my way in a world of AI music, seemingly infinite indie musicians, and a prominence of performers that write nothing.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
When I was very young, my dad used to listen to the oldies rock n roll/motown music station back home in St. Louis. Oldies 103.3. I think I was probably 3 or 4 but I remember singing along to Frankie Valli and Smokey Robinson and so many others.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I think I was born with a connection to music, but it mostly started with singing. As I got older and moved through early adulthood, I started writing more and more. It became a form of catharsis and the only way that I felt could truly express my deepest feelings.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Currently I’m piecemeal recording my debut E.P. called Fueled by Spite. It’s really just a fun way of expressing perseverance, consistency, and dedication of many years. It’s still crazy to me that I have songs fully produced and released, and it just goes to show the road is long. In spite of all the things I’ve been through I’m still here, still chasing a dream, and still treating other people with dignity and respect. I just like to joke that I’m running on spite and sheer force of will despite what the world and life have thrown at me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Imagine early 2000’s pop rock mixed with some late 90’s grunge, a tiny bit of classic country story telling, and a sprinkle of more contemporary pop and country to round things out. Like maybe Matchbox 20, Nickelback, and Zach Bryan wrote a song together.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Honestly just learning that I could. I found and connected with a producer in Nashville and we felt we would work well together and tried a song. Warning Label turned out true to my vision and we have continued on for two more singles and have another one releasing September 4, 2026. Then who knows for next year.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I really only need my guitar, my phone, and my laptop. I play around with a chord progression or riff and record anything I like on my phone. Then I play it back and type out lyrics on my laptop as they come to me. Or, I type out the words and then fiddle around on guitar til I think something may work and record that. Then sing along to the recording til I can get things blended.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
A friend of mine Christee Palace has a song out called Seconds I really like.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I think my experiences are just about the entire point. When I write songs they are my purest expression given form through music and lyrics. Things I’ve been through or am going through, things I’ve witnessed others going through, or some combination of both. I feel like I have something to share that people can relate to, and being able to share it in the way we do as musicians can really connect with others.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
My greatest hope is that my songs help other people feel seen and not so alone in this crazy world we are all living in.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That emotions are a part of us and we shouldn’t be afraid of them. They’re just one aspect of life and being human, and they don’t have to control us. Music can help us feel so many things and I think the differences in emotion the same song can make different people feel is one of the greatest things about that form of art.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to have played the Vans Warped Tour in 2006 when it was at its peak. Otherwise, playing at my hometown in St. Louis at the Chaifetz arena would be an incredible experience. I graduated from St. Louis University and I don’t think there would be anything cooler than getting to perform there on a grand stage.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to write an original duet with Hayley Williams from Paramore, or Amy Lee from Evanescence. I think either one of them would be amazing just because of the pure emotion and the power that their voices bring.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
The main place to stream is spotify, but the easiest way to get to all my socials is through my linktree: https://linktr.ee/Zachoutman but to go directly to spotify they can go here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/064ReWPnUGpIihb7IbgfPc?si=4KQ5ZUJwQU67A05TSe7VNA
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
The rest of this year I’ll be focusing on networking and building on connections I’ve made playing a couple gigs in Nashville at a small indie awards show, and through some friends. I’ve also been working on my TikTok presence and other social media platforms. Recording one more song and trying to continue building my community and connecting with new people through my music. Next year I hope to release at least 2 songs, but it will depend on budget so I’m trying to use the rest of 2026 to build!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I’d love for listeners to get to know me a little more for my personality and a bit of my background. The first thing people generally do when they see another person is judge them based on what they look like, how they dress, etc. I’d like for the music to connect on a much deeper level than that, and generally when fans get to know a little more about an artist they find the music hits closer to home. I want my music to speak to people in the way it was intended… Genuinely and authentically with a compassion that goes on forever. I’ve been through a lot of bad times in my life, and while it has made me appreciate the good times all that much more, it has also given me the ability to show and give grace to others in just about any situation. I hope my music can portray some level of the love I have to give, and that it leaves the world just a little bit brighter for it.
