Zach Seabaugh – Same Moon

By starrymag | February 2, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) The direction my songwriting has taken me lately would probably be placed in the pop category. I really don’t like to classify it as a certain genre because it’s really hard to know if it’s singer songwriter or pop… I try to not define myself as one way or another. I do a lot of pop melody stuff but with an acoustic guitar in my hand when I’m writing. Working with my producer has been fun because it’s taking the songs that I’ve written primarily just acoustic and stripped – and putting more pop infused production around it. Part of the creative process for me is being able to play a song I’ve written with just an acoustic guitar and see if I can still get the message across to the audience, that’s the singer/songwriter in me. But when I’m on stage I want people to be dancing and singing their heart out with me so all the extra bells and whistles just make for a more energetic and upbeat sound, and I guess would consider to be a “pop” sound. I think it’s cool how the music can go both ways sometimes.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) John Mayer, Jack Johnson and Ben Rector were the ones who inspired me to start writing my own songs and also be okay with the fact they aren’t necessarily fit the norm of how other people are writing in town or how it sounded compared to everyone else. Their music has always given me the confidence to just be me and not try and be like everyone else… Their music inspired me to tell my own story and in my own way.

Specifically, the way Jack Johnson phrases his words has always struck a chord with me, and his music just makes me feel good every time I listen to it. I hope my fans have that same feeling when they listen to my songs. There’s something really relaxing about the stories he shares and his melodic style in his music. Ben Rector has a way with words that has always resonated with me. When I started writing I would get in my head and over think simple ideas. Some of my favorite songs of Ben’s are so simple and straight to the point. I listen to his records to get inspired and so his music will always be a huge influence with my own writing. John Mayer has influenced my career the most. His roots in Atlanta are close to where I lived in Marietta, his guitar playing, just his career as a whole has made a huge impact on my own artist career. Continuum is one of my favorite records ever, his writing has influenced my writing in a big way.

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of today’s younger artists like Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, JC Stewart and Shawn Mendes. I can go on with all the artists out there that influence my writing and recording process. Their music has pulled the vulnerable side out of me, writing songs about the thoughts most people think but don’t always say. It’s cool to see their fans appreciate that type of music and really listen to the lyric.

 

Q) How has your time in Nashville played a role in the artist you are?

 

A) Nashville is such an inspiring city to me. There are so many people that are passionate about music here. I’ve grown so much as an artist being immersed in such a talented pool of creatives. It keeps the fire alive for me.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Same Moon.”

 

A) I wrote “Same Moon” with Brandon Ratcliff and Ben Foster in 2020. We had taken a writers trip down to Gulf Shores, AL and it was the first song we finished on the trip. Brandon had this cool melodic idea and Ben had brought the title to us in the write. I remember how excited we all were when the song was being written.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) “Same Moon” is about hoping that there’s someone out there for you… I think a lot of people can relate to that, which is why we decided to record it. My fans are in the same boat as me I feel like. Friends are getting older, married, having kids and settling down. Whatever relationship stage you are in I think everyone can understand the perspective this song has on falling in love. I loved the production around it and how it captured someone who feels very alone shooting their imagination into the sky wondering if someone is out there looking up thinking the same thing as them.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video leans into the loneliness, isolated side of the song.  I always envisioned someone sitting in a room by themselves pondering the idea if someone is out there thinking of them too. Emma Golden was so fun to work with on the video and her creative mind really brought the vision of the song to life.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I always create some kind of melody in my head before ever writing lyrics. It’s almost like the emotions are being felt before the words fall onto the page. Depending on the day, I can come into a session with an idea I really want to talk about, and we will put it into a song. Sometimes an idea will steam from a conversation in the writers room that day. I always try to keep an open mind and just let the songs naturally form. I start a lot of songs by myself and let them sit for sometimes months before bringing it into a co-write.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I don’t do a whole lot with the production of the music. I have ideas and certain sounds I hear in the music, but for the most part it’s fun to sit back and see what Zarni can do while building the track.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) A lot of new music is coming in 2022. I’ve been writing so much music this year and I’m excited for everyone to hear this project. The people I have working with me on this music are some of the most talented and wonderful humans in Nashville.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Eddie’s Attic is my favorite venue to play acoustic shows. So, until I can play Red Rocks or the Roman, Eddie’s is the most significant. [smiles]

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I’m such a huge fan of QuinnXCII. To collaborate with him on a song would be amazin’.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media has given me the amazing ability to connect with my fans on a more personal level. I love getting to meet fans at shows, but if they want to know what I’m eating for lunch they have to follow me on socials. [laughs]

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I wouldn’t be able to write music and follow my dream if it weren’t for my fans and all the people that have supported my journey this far. I’m excited for this new project to be out and for everyone to finally have a listen at what I’ve been working on these last few months. Can’t thank y’all enough.