Kiki: It was such a pleasure to catch your performance at Eddie’ s Attic. Congratulations on delivering a sold-out show on a Tuesday night! How do you account for that sort of reception in Decatur, GA on a week day?
Zale: Thank you so much for coming to see us play live! Performing is my favorite part about being an artist, so having you there, Kiki, was really quite special. I have to account the success to my amazing fans,“ Zaliens”--as I affectionately call them. These are hardworking people who often spend their weekday evenings having dinner and listening to me sing my songs and tell my stories around Atlanta. Of course I also have to credit the supporting artists Sami + Sean and Anna for their hard work in helping me promote the event.
Kiki: Talk a little about“ Zale … the early years”. What is your first recollection regarding music— that led to you choosing it as your life’ s work?
Zale: I remember my first real solo in 1st grade as a defining moment. It was a full 2 minute song. Just me with the microphone in my right hand and a blue plastic umbrella in my left hand. It was a jazzy number about rain. The bridge was a scat section and I loved practicing it over and over. I remember feeling confident and connected to the people listening to me. I remember making different kinds of people smile and I liked that part a lot. I remember asking my mom on the way home from that concert if I could audition for an upcoming production of“ Annie” a town over. I think I was hooked from the first solo.
Kiki: They say that everyone has key defining moments in their life … please share some of yours.
Zale: I always sang. I started out in my car seat, then in choirs, in musicals, in beauty pageants, and finally ended up in a rock band freshman year of college at The University of Georgia. Everything was going my way until 2013 when my college band broke up( and my boyfriend dumped me) and I felt lost, alone, and unsure about my place in the world. I felt like I had nothing left to lose, so I picked up a guitar and tried to make myself not just a singer, but a musician as well. I started really digging into myself. I wrote 26 songs that year. I traveled by myself and stayed single and made a solo record. I did a lot of collaborating and open mics and networking, and tried to make myself as independent as possible. Hitting the low made me reach for a new high. Another defining moment that comes to mind is the loss of my friend Jordan Oberle. He was my first crush and best friend since the 6th grade. We talked almost every day for 9 years. He was a generous man with bright blue eyes and a stoner laugh. I was at a sound check, when my friends came to deliver the news in person. I had never suffered a loss so close. I had just spoken with him the day before and everything sounded normal. How could I have not seen the signs? It made me see life differently. I make sure to listen to my loved ones and ask for help when I need it. Every time I sing“ Open Up Your Eyes” at my shows, I sing directly to Jordan.
Kiki: What is your greatest challenge as an artist in today’ s music industry?
Zale: My greatest challenge as an artist today is being noticed by agencies and labels in an oversaturated market. I pray that the shifting climate of the music industry will continue to favor independent artists that work hard to create a strong brand and fan base.
Kiki: What would you consider to be the biggest mistake you’ ve ever made as an artist? What is your biggest triumph?
Zale: Biggest mistake is easy; not listening to my gut about people. If you think people are shady, they probably are. If it seems too good to be true; it is, sugar. I would advise to cut and run. My biggest triumph as an artist has been financing, creating, and releasing“ Fortress” on my own. Indie releases are a very difficult and costly endeavor and I did it at 23! Making another record now to release in 2017.
36