Zarah – Blind Woman

By starrymag | October 29, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Retro rock. It’s the kind of sound that is reconceptualized by mixing classic and clean modern rock with a tinge of good pop. Something that is not commonly done, but that’s what makes this album unique and refreshing because you have to either be super rock or super pop, and I’m neither. Rock is my base, but the album has the tendency to crossover popular genre that brings out energetic, fun and daring tracks that is meant to entertain, catch your ears and sing-along the lyrics, and hopefully last, not just what is in passing today, but in the years ahead.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) My upcoming Blind Woman album is basically a nod to my 60s and 70s rock ‘old soul’ roots like the Led Zeppelin, which I was lucky enough to be invited and see their reunion concert in 2007 at the O2 Arena in London while we featured the band on B InTune TV around that time. Combined with modern rock and a hint of pop every now and then, it became my signature formula, venturing in this album altogether. There are good pop artists out there of course, that I admire because of their genuine approach to their songs like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani as supposed to the preference of my genre, which is rock. But when the product is good, you connect, that’s why they’re hitmakers. It’s as simple as that.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “What Have We Become?”

A) “What Have We Become?” was meant to be written as a complicated relationship or at least that’s how I started. And at the time I happened to be digging U2 a lot as they were very much present in my thoughts and Bono, who I’ve worked with on a couple of projects together for kids therefore, met a few times as we have a few common friends and acquaintances, including my late husband – was and is, a great lyricist to me alongside John Lennon. But somehow along the way fate intervened and the next thing I knew, I was writing another thing so fast that I almost couldn’t recall what happened next. Eventually, the drive and emotions took over, and the new concept became a self-reflecting anthem if you will and the coming together moment for the greater good. “What Have We Become?” then became the fastest song I wrote in the entire album.

 

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

A) I think what they will connect to the most is simply that, first, this song is fun, positive and has got a lot of high-energy. And a lot of times, rock songs are all about the attitude and the cool vibe that you bring to the table. I also think the song has catchy melodies and that phrasing a poem or lyrics is just as important so, even subconsciously, one can or will sing along with the words especially when it resonates with them. The rest you can let the chips fall where they may.

 

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

A) So far, we’ve only put out an official lyric video, at least that I am aware of. And we have yet to release the official music video where I will be seen in the video this time unlike the lyric video. However, lyric videos are not too dissimilar from a music video when created because sometimes background video has nothing got to do with the lyrics if you want to be artistic and what not as the director or producer. In my case, we opted to produce more of the retro graphic background that is eye-catching and high-energy that flows with the up-tempo beat of the track, particularly to my listener’s demographic which is mainly 20s, and 30s.

 

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

A) It depends. There is no rhyme or reason whether I am writing a song or another book. In many ways, the process is the same and it is tricky because it can very much be unpredictable. You can sit down, have a concept of what you want to write about and come out the other end, and you’d be scratching your head. In songwriting, however, it all starts on what moves me at that particular time and where I am presently in my life. So, if I’m happy, sad or heartbroken a lot can be extracted from that emotion and turn into creativity. But I’ve written songs before starting with a melody in my head and took it from there. And many times, I hear chords or notes and it becomes words; and words are notes to me, and so on. So, yes, writing is a complicated process. Some songs come easy; others you kind of have to dig in and get to the nitty gritty of it, which can be a frustrating experience. All the more, when you are a perfectionist, which is the curse of every artist they always say.

 

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

A) Music production, to me, is a bit of a different animal than a straight up songwriting, as you tend focus more on putting “meat to the bones” so to speak and exploring what kind of sounds you want to be represented for the artist with your finished product to market to. So, I actually have multiple roles being the songwriter, vocalist, co-producer and arranger working alongside with well-known musicians like Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction as my bass player for the entirety of the album and the LA Philharmonic orchestra in my Blind Woman single ballad.

 

Q) Your debut album Blind Womanis coming soon. What can you tease are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?

A) Each record on the Blind Woman album stands out on their own. One single being the high-energy catchy song is meant to be encouraging while having fun is “What Have We Become?.” Another is a beautiful epic ballad of a love story with haunting melodies that is quite memorable, which carries the same title of the album, Blind Woman. The third single is all about building our inner strength and pulling through challenging times called “Guardians Of Our Dreams.” And fourth is a song based purely on being hopeful and positive while rocking it out, and so forth. They are the beginning of a series of unique songs leading up to my upcoming Blind Woman album to be released in summer of 2024.

 

Q) Which song(s) can you tease are ones you think fans should keep an eye out for and why?

A) Well for a start, my first single “What Have We Become?” was just released on Sept. 29th. But I am also equally excited because I really like quite a bit of songs in this album like my next single “Blind Woman” releasing on October 27th because it is a beautiful ballad this time that features the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra in the background with such a haunting concept written from a standpoint of a classic love story. It is one of my favorite tracks on the Blind Woman album collection as well as one of my favorite records to perform live. When you have those two combined, which does not necessarily happen every time, it is a good day.

 

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

A) I, honestly, almost always blank out every time I’m asked that same question or something similar. Hmm, I think if given the opportunity I would love to do it with Billie Eilish because she epitomizes the rebel kid in her. She’s not there to impress anyone and that is important to me. But, also, with Robert Plant who is legendary and who came from an iconic rock band. Talents like him don’t come around easily in this lifetime. He’s sort of the Paul Newman of the movies to me who has done it all. So, they both kind of represent my background as an artist, the old and the new, but would they accept a trio?

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I will always have room to listen to my classic rock roots, the same way on how I will always make time to watch my black-and-white movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood era. I don’t know what happened to me, but I like to explore old stuff and go back in time, I guess. But Billie Eilish is one of the rare ones I listen to these days because, again, she represents the kind of approach to her work as a genuine artist to me.

 

Q) You’re also an incredible writer with your book Diamonds are for Cocktails out now. Have you been busy working on new books or are you currently focused on music for the time being?

A) Thank you. It is very humbling to hear, considering I hated writing growing up! But what do you know? It wound up being my profession and a huge part of my life not only professionally but also personally. I have never been more comfortable in writing these days more times than I can count in my life. I guess, that’s when they say that you’ve found your niche. And, yes, I also do take pride in my Diamonds are For Cocktails novel, considering it is my first book and to be well-received and getting recognized for it both by Fox News and readers, is a lot to be celebrated for. However, I am currently focusing on releasing my singles and, eventually, my whole album so I am in the thick of quite a bit of promotion, and press interviews, etc. That said, I’m already halfway through the second novel and screenplay for the movie and will be publishing it down the road, I would imagine.

 

Q) We loved you as host of the music-empowering teen series B InTune TV. What advice would you give to up-and-coming musicians?

A) I thank you, again, for the kind words. I’m glad you mentioned B InTune TV, as there’s already talks of bringing it back again into the limelight and, as a television producer, I will once again have to get involve in re-launching it. As for advice, if your passion involves pursuing your dream in the business as a musician, I say first and foremost, you’ll have to have the nerves of steel and discipline of a soldier while honing your talent or craft to be in the best possible shape. Equally crucial, or perhaps the most important, is your ability to never give up believing what you do best as it all starts from there. In reality, the business is tough and you’re going to get a lot of rejections. Plus, you have such fierce competitions ready to take your place at any given time. But if you do all of the above and surround yourself with a trustworthy team that will help navigate you in the business and stay focused all the way though, you will make it. Bottom line: hard work, talent, determination, perseverance and right connections and timing are some of the main key ingredients for not just making it in the music business, but in any business in life.

 

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

A) I thank them for their existence! For without followers, listeners, readers or audience, entertainers like me would be seen in a different light. We are unable to share our creativity as much as we like, and we wouldn’t be able to connect in a meaningful way on whatever we want to convey in our work, and we certainly wouldn’t have the sense of purpose as an artist to follow our dreams, so we owe it all to you. All that said, I am in deep gratitude and have a lasting appreciation of your support and I can only hope I continue to inspire, encourage and motivate each one of you in the many more years to come!