Zhaklina, originally from New York and of Albanian, Irish and Greek descent, is an Alternative Rock/Pop Artist who advocates for Mental Health. Blending cinematic atmospheres and edgy soundscapes with raw, captivating vocals, Zhaklina’s sound is unmistakable and has drawn comparison to Amy Lee, Bishop Briggs, Florence and The Machine, & PVRIS.
Her love of music started as a child and grew as she poured her heart into choirs, musical theater, and competitive accappella groups throughout her life. She found her passion for writing in middle school and was specifically influenced by dramatic literature, poetry, and story-telling. This led to her songwriting style as she began to express herself through music and writing in her teenage years.
Zhaklina went on to pursue a professional Artist career after winning “The Audition” competition with KFEST Radio Station in NY in 2015. In 2019, Zhaklina began releasing a series of EP’s called “17 Reasons Why”, dedicated to mental health awareness. Her fourth and final EP of the series, “17 Reasons Why IV,” was released in 2024 with “Gossip Queen”, “Pretend,” and “Game Over” being her most popular songs yet
Published and interviewed, “Medium”, “BuzzMusic” Channel 5 News (Nashville), WNXP Radio, and K104.7 are just a few of the platforms she has had the honor of sharing her story and music.
Blending soulful power with an unapologetic edge, Zhaklina creates art that calls listeners into real connection and depth. Her poetically charged lyricism is rooted in lived experience, exploring grief, mental health, faith, and resilience with a raw honesty that is at once intimate and expansive.
Zhaklina and Anastasia Elliot are trailblazing independent female artists who DIY every aspect of their craft. From writing intentional, soul-stirring songs to designing and directing their own music videos and crafting standout content for their platforms, they fuse artistry with fearless dedication- setting a new standard for creativity and inspiring listeners to fully embrace their own power.