Q&A Talking with Zander Bleck

A tale of overnight success and social media fame is one told time and time again in this age of tv talent shows and YouTube virality, often to gloss over the long road of ups and downs and rejection that many musicians face.

We caught up with Zander Bleck who has a career of incredible achievements and partnerships that many would dream of, but along with that comes a story of perseverance and resilience that would have some searching for another career. But often is the case this adveristy acts as fuel to great musicians and creates excellent music from a place of adversity or a journey of experiences love, life and passion.

Our chat with Zander comes at another juncture in his career with the release of his latest single Mercy Me which is starting to make waves across the globe.

Congratulations on the release of your latest single Mercy Me, we’re starting to see it pop up in many places across the States and of course now down under with us reaching out for a chat,

How has the whole experience been so far?

It’s been a wonderful little whirlwind. So long I’ve waited to have a release like this. It’s very exciting and a little nerve-racking. It’s been a blast to see people enjoying and connecting with the song.

The track definitely has a throwback feel and sound transporting us back to an era of music that wasn’t so serious but just felt right, is this something that you would say comes from your approach to create music like this or maybe just some writing and influences shining through?

For sure. It was the first time I actually went in wanting to make a “fun” song that didn’t take itself too seriously. It really felt just right from the start. There was a particular aspect back then that was a little more carefree. We definitely tapped into that as well with sounds and vibes from a lot of my favourites. That feeling that they captured in the late 80’s early 90’s seems to be very void in today’s music. It sounds like we need it more now than ever before.

You made a move from rural Jersey to New York where modelling paid the bills and set you on the path to music but you picked up some fortitude and skills that would later become very helpful in your music career can you run us through this time in your life?

Yea, I was just a young teenager with very little money moving to the city in itself was such an accomplishment. As soon as I did, I fell in love with it and kind of realised my full potential. It taught me a brutal amount of tenacity that I’ve used more than maybe any other trait in my quest of the music biz.

You then took off into music with early success with your band “Monument’ and then came the step into your solo career which led you to make some great impressions and connections Like Red One, but sadly this wasn’t what led you to the releases of today, was it?

There were a lot of people along the way that made me who I am today.
I don’t have any regrets and try my best not to look back. For sure I wouldn’t be where I am today without so many people who have helped me and the obstacles I have had to overcome. I think it’s important, if not vital for any artist to experience those hardships to honestly be able to write and express in both the eyes of pain as well as pleasure.

You met with Jimmy Iovine at Interscope during this time, and we’re on the doorstep to receiving a major label launch, but sadly this did not come to fruition at the time… how did this period shape your next steps in music?

Jimmy was one of the coolest most “real deal” guys I’ve worked with in my career. I owe a lot of where I am today him. I hope one day to work with him again.

To many, the road to success in 2018 seems only one short social post away but as someone who has lived and worked through a shift in the recording industry how do you feel the explosion in social media has either helped or hindered your career?

It has been a saving grace in a lot of ways. Its become such a vibrant and powerful tool for an artist to get their music, their voice directly out to the world. I can say myself its been the one thing that’s kept me going when I’ve wanted just to give up. The words of fans I’ve never met from around the world sometimes is the one thing that has kept me going through some of the hardest times.

You seem to be finding your stride artistically with this release so whats the next step for Zander Bleck?

Thank you very much. I feel the same. I feel like I’ve finally tapped into precisely the place I need to be. But I am just at the tip of the iceberg. I have a lot of new music. A lot of new ideas. I can’t wait to share; I am finally here to stay.

BTW Can’t wait to come down under and check out OZ.

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Owen George

Editor & Chief of Gold Coast Magazine is a lover of great coffee and sharing the stories of the people, places, and events that make the Gold Coast such a great city