Zanya Laurence can a girl working in the Casino make it in the world of music
Interview conducted on May 13, 2020
What is your upbringing?
I was born in San Diego, CA where I was raised through middle school, then my folks built a house in the small town of Los Lunas, NM where I went to high school and a bit of college. I was accepted into the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA where I attended school and now residing in Denver, CO.
How did you discover music?
My mother was always playing music around the house and in the car- Pop, Pop-Rock & AC. My father played classical guitar. He would sing for my little brother and I & he taught us both how to play when we were young. I was in choir in grade school & band in middle school. 1st CD’s I ever owned were Mariah Carey albums. Her early songs inspired me to sing
How did you start to write music?
I’ve always been a writer. I used to write books full of poems and short-stories. Even had a couple of essays published in college. After high school though, I was invited to my first studio, and the rest is history!
Do you remember how you got your first guitar?
My first guitar was a 3/4 size classical that my father bought me for my birthday when I was about 8 or so. He carved out of the head “For Zanya, Love Papa” before he passed away. I still have the guitar in my studio.
What is you’re feeling about shows like America Idol, The Voice, and Capella?
I used to watch American Idol. My mom & I actually flew to Seattle a long time ago for me to try out. It was an all-day affair. I sang “How Come You Don’t Call” by Alicia Keys but didn’t get through. At the end of the day, it’s all about building a cast and it’s fun to see all of the characters & talent on the show!
What was your first performance like?
My first solo singing performance was a talent show in high school. All I remember was I was gripping the mic with both hands for dear life and my knees knocking together. I eventually ended up conquering that fear but I feel for young artists that get stage nerves. You just have to do it over and over until it’s second nature. Then you let the sass out!
How do you define your music?
Generally, it’s R&B. I’ve kind of fallen into the Neo-Soul niche genre because of its chill, jazzy nature. I do like to throw other elements in as well though from time to time, like Hip Hop & Acoustic Pop. It’s been said that my music is a bit eclectic with cross-over appeal.
I was going over some of your older music catalog and I would like to ask you some questions on some of it.
How did you get the idea of redoing “Black Hole Sun” by Sound Garden as a lullaby?
Oh wow! You came across that cover? Well, I’m an 80’s baby, so my brother and I grew up watching the music video for that song on MTV (back when MTV was actually about music). My little brother is one year younger than I and we both grew up with a love of music. I eventually branched out, writing my own songs & my brother ended up playing guitar & covering rock songs. We performed live together quite a bit when I lived in Albuquerque. He is now having his first baby & ‘Black Hole Sun’ just reminds me of when we were kids. I thought if I sweetened up the tone a little it would be the perfect lullaby for his new baby girl.
The story behind “Attitude Check”?
I don’t remember there being a specific story to that song. Matter of fact, I think if anything, I was kind of writing that song for myself as a reminder to stay positive. A lot of times it’s hard for us artists to keep our head and heart strong with so many high’s and low’s. Sometimes I have to remind myself to check my attitude so that I can keep pushing on.
How often do you work with your brother on music?
I haven’t done anything with my brother lately. The last time we worked on a song together was on my last album, “Stardust”. He played the guitar on ‘Light Years Ago’. He also has featured vocals on my debut, “Soul Theory” on ‘Deadline’. We haven’t worked on too many of my originals together, but we did play out together which was always fun & we grew up singing and playing, so we have that bond as well.
Let’s talk about your new EP which came out this month. Tell me about it? The EP is titled “In My Head”.
It’s 5 songs and was released on May 1st. This project was kind of interesting for me because it came out of nowhere. I hadn’t written or recorded anything in well over a year and I was starting to wonder if that was it for me. I was resigned to the idea that 3 albums are all I was meant to create. And then… Covid-19 came along and turned everyone’s world upside down. The casino I worked for closed its doors and suddenly I found myself at home with nothing but my thoughts. Not knowing how long this would carry out, I decided to reach out to one of my producers Dwayne ‘Dubb on the Beat’ Kent for some music. When I finally pulled out my notebook and sat down to write, the songs just spilled out of me. I wrote and recorded 5 songs in 6 days, had the project mixed/mastered and ready to distribute the following month.
Did you have the idea for “Pandemonium” before the shut-down of the nation?
No, I didn’t. It was definitely based on the unique circumstances of the situation. Even more so, based on people’s initial reaction to the whole thing. I think once some time passed and we realized it wasn’t the end of the world, people started to calm down, but it was crazy there for a bit & I wanted to write about it.
What is your favorite track on the album?
It’s hard to say… I really love them all but if I have to choose, Self-Sabotage. Self-Sabotage is a situation I think we all find ourselves in, in some way and at one point or another. As intelligent human beings, we really have a knack for being dumb. I do anyway.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I’ve given into the new age of streaming music, but I was a little sad about it at first. People just don’t buy records like they used to. Artists get fractions of a cent on the stream & as music listeners; we’ve lost the art of the album. Do you remember when we used to buy a record and listen to it from front to back? It would tell a story. That’s how I’ve always arranged my albums- to tell a story. But now, you just put on a playlist or an artist’s channel on shuffle, and you get what you get. Obscure album tracks are mostly lost. You can’t push against it though. It is what it is and it will evolve again before we know it.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
This might seem random, but ‘Yesterday’ by the Beatles has been in my head. I’ve been playing it on the keyboard lately. My dad used to play it for us when we were kids and it’s just such a beautiful classic. I’d love to cover it, but I’m afraid I won’t do it justice.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?
You know, it’s hard to tell. I am no longer a full-time working musician, but I absolutely feel for my fellow musician’s that are struggling to make ends meet right now. The hustle is hard enough, rehearsing and staying booked in a normal world & it’s a unique job that relies heavily on social venues to be successful. I do hope that we will somehow find ourselves back to some sort of normalcy ASAP.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
It’s been an interesting time for sure. I’ve been working on projects around the house and in the yard. Working on this EP has kept me pretty busy over the last month and I try to get in 3-4 miles a day outdoors for my sanity.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I am a painter, but like my music, I go through creative phases. I’m working on a piece now that’s been 1/2 way done for over a year and I keep picking it up, painting a little bit and then putting it back down. My issue is I like my paintings to mean something. So, I’m trying to figure out the meaning behind it. Once I do that, then I can finish it.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I haven’t spent too much time looking into it because I’m currently focused on getting radio play. I do think it’s an amazing way to stay engaged with fans & I’m sure I’ll hop on the train. Seems like it will be a bit difficult to substitute a virtual open guitar case for tips in lieu of venue performance payment, tickets or cut of a door fee. The exposure should however, help with online sales.
Your day job is working for the casinos. How is the virus affecting you there?
I live in Denver, CO. The casinos here are located up in the mountains & currently all of the them have been shut down. My job is currently furloughed until further notice. The state of CO is now in Safer-At-Home effect. We are all hoping to get on with its ASAP but, it depends on the decision of the Governor and whether he believes it is safe to do so.
First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
Absolutely. Especially in NY. I think even pushing for fall might be a bit unrealistic. Sad but true.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Can you imagine? Wait, is this a thing?? I’m definitely on board!
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Honestly, I’m not real sure. Hopefully wherever I am, I’m happy, healthy and content.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
I’d like to thank you first of all for this opportunity! It means the world! I’d also like to thank Dubb on the Beat for the music on this EP and Benjamin Jenkerson of ZippyBang! International for the sound engineering. My website is www.zanyamusic.com and you can stay up to date on any news there. You can also find me on social media @zanyalaurence Please Like/Follow/Subscribe to stay in touch. Everyone stay healthy & sane! Peace, Love & Music! XO
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