Zach Villa – Revolver

By starrymag | October 23, 2019

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) Congrats on your newest single “Revolver.” Please talk a little bit about the theme of the single and what the lyrics mean to you.

A) “Revolver” is a very unique song for me in that the lyrics were written in a stream of consciousness. This isn’t atypical for me per se, but when it happens it is usually an indication of a very special song. I think it’s about a lot of things for me, as I don’t particularly like telling other people what a song is about for them. Whatever they hear or interpret is truthful for them and that’s important. I think there are darker themes that explore change in there, but honestly, it’s not for me to decide for the listener. That’s not my place.

Q) Your music has evolved from an EMO/pop punk sound to “Revolver,” a sort of spoken word mixed with synth pop/EDM vibe. What inspired that change?

A) Oh, I still mess with pop punk. Don’t you worry. My band Sorry Kyle is very much alive and well. We are preparing a whole bunch of material that we hope to release soon and that genre is very close to my heart. I’m a greedy musical artist – I like to work on a bunch of different styles and projects at once and they all mash up against each other, influencing me and the sound. In my solo work I really try to not constrict myself to any sort of parameters so I can just create freely. Apparently, that’s what “Revolver” sounds like.

Q) You are a musician and vocalist and compose your own music. What is your composition process like? How do you construct a piece?

A) It’s different every time. The song usually tells me how it wants to be written. Often, I’ll have a melody and a lyrical line in my head and it will just marinate and repeat over and over. One line of a chorus that blossoms from there after a late night of working it through with a guitar in hand. It’s organic; sometimes it takes years and sometimes it takes two hours. “Revolver” was written with an 8-bar track my friend sent me that I looped and beat into submission. After a few minutes the track basically told me what to say and I wrote the lyrics and melody and arranged almost completely in the next couple hours during a layover at an airport. It’s different every time.

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

A) Quite a heavy hand. Many of the synth sounds start on my rig and then in production, I usually work with a producer to refine or modify the sounds to make it fit in the mix. As the vision of the song is framed in that process, I call upon my many talented musician friends to perform in the track. I try to reserve all the guitar work for myself, but honestly, whatever the song calls is what I do. Ben Soldate, who I co-produced “Revolver” with, is wildly creative and working with him gave it a certain edge and modern flushness that sounded satisfying and new to me. So, that was a real pleasure to start that new musical relationship with him. I often hear a level of detail that is infuriating to who I might be mixing with, so when the finish line is in sight I’m often the QC guy and I won’t let it go until I’ve explored every option (within reason) to make the track the best it can be.

Q) Which band or musician sparked your interest in music? Was there a certain musician that inspired you to dive into your own art?

A) Oh, the list is very long. But for this project in particular St. Vincent (a/k/a Annie Clark) has been a long-time inspiration for me. The way she produces guitar sounds and the overall aesthetic is something I find so evocative and challenging to listen to. I never am a passive listener when she is on the speakers. John Mayer is and continues to be a huge influence both as a guitarist, whose solos and notes are always chosen and tasteful, and as a songwriter that really knows how to straddle commercialism and craft. Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World and other bands of my youth continue to be highly influential as well. Oh, and jazz. Of course, Jazz.

Q) When can we expect more music from you in near future? Maybe a full length album and a tour?

A) More music is on the way. Any week now. Full lengths are rare these days, but I’m not scared. I’ll make one. Both my band Sorry Kyle and my solo work will be pumping out records now through 2020.

Q) What are you listening to now? What’s currently on your music playlist?

A) I always have John Mayer’s Heavier Things I’m heavy rotation. This vintage Miles Davis Live in Paris record is on my turntable. I use it to wind down at the end of a long day. Robbie Robertson, Phoebe Bridgers and Tigers Jaw is on Spotify. And my friend Kailynn West with Tiny Stills is just one of the most honest pop punk records I’ve heard in a very long while.

Q) Who in the music industry that would be a dream collaboration for you?

A) Jimmy Eat World. Let’s write a song. John, if you read this, I’d like to collaborate but let’s not cause I’d die on the spot.

Q) Let’s talk a little bit about “American Horror Story: 1984.” You’re playing real life serial killer Richard Ramirez, otherwise known as “The Night Stalker.” It must’ve been a dream, or should we say nightmare, come true to land this role. Had you been familiar with Ramirez prior to booking the role or did you delve into his darkness after you landed “AHS?”

A) After. I had never heard of him before. History has a way of marginalizing extreme violence. But we are human and humans are fascinated with darker themes within. Getting to explore that has been both challenging and enlightening.

Q) How much of your portrayal of Ramirez is your own take on him and how much did you pull from his very public interviews and trial?

A) I did quite a bit of research for the role. I let it marinate and then right before filming I re-analyzed everything that I had collected and worked from the outside to create the shell that Richard might inhabit. I had to leave room for the show to tell me, much like writing a song, what it would be and how it would affect this particular version of Richard.

Q) Working on a Ryan Murphy show is an actor’s dream. What has it been like working with him? Has there been anything you’ve taken from that experience that you will bring with you to other projects?

A) Tenacity. It’s clear that whether Ryan is present physically or not that he is making choices and using his gut instinct to make something he believes in. That sounds very similar to writing a song. It’s brave, it’s risky, and it’s violent.

Q) Are you currently working on any other projects the fans can keep an eye out for?

A) Like I said, the next record is imminent. I’m not good at being not busy.

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

A) Thank you. Without you I wouldn’t be here. We’re building this thing together and I am so grateful to have company and support. Let’s rock.

 

 

 

Listen to “Revolver” on Spotify: