(Photo Credit - Jordan Altergott)
We interviewed ENZI, an alt-pop artist from Colorado who is definitely up-and-coming. She's been tirelessly releasing singles over the past couple of years that we're sure you'll love. Check out her music here and check out our interview below!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"Music has always been an important part of my life. When I was a kid, I had to have emergency brain surgery, and the recovery was super intense. I remember having music around constantly, whether it was a CD of Veggie Tales songs or family friends playing guitar. There was something so healing about music at that time; whenever something was playing, I could totally forget about any of the pain. Ever since then, music has been a vital part of my life. I started playing in bands and writing songs when I was 13, and I’ve been ENZI for the last 3 years. I’m really excited to see what’s ahead."
2. Your new single “Time Flies” is dynamic, especially on the build to the incredible hook. Can you give us some background into this track?
"I’m really happy with how this track builds and falls. I found myself really struggling with my mental health in the last year, and “Time Flies” is meant to mimic that journey. The verses are low and almost melancholic to portray the feeling of being so numb and withdrawn. Then the pre-chorus builds and the chorus becomes louder and fuller with sound. It’s meant to feel like the mania I was going through when I would realize just how much time has passed me by and how I would try to run myself thin with meaningless tasks just to feel like I wasn’t wasting my life. I know it all sounds pretty intense, and I’m doing better, but I love making music where every aspect of the production is meticulously done so it incites the exact feelings I was having when writing the song." 3. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"It’s never exactly the same each time, but generally, I start with a single lyric or concept I want to focus on. For “Time Flies”, I was thinking about the phrase “time flies when you’re having fun” and I thought it was kinda funny because time also flies by when you’re really at your lowest. It especially sucks because days will go by and you only feel worse because you feel incredibly unproductive. I knew I wasn’t the only person to feel this way so I picked out some sad, eerie chords and just started writing. When I took “Time Flies” to my cowriters, they loved it and we got the chance to really hash out what it feels like to be in a depressive episode. Not being afraid to be brutally honest about my feelings is my key to writing. For me, it’s not one of my songs if it isn’t totally raw."
4. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"My first inspirations were Taylor Swift and Twenty One Pilots. They are so specific when it comes to writing and they leave no detail out. All their songs are like stories and I really strive for the same thing when I write. Some of my recent inspirations are Royal & the Serpent for her super intense and emotional songs, girl in red for her production style, and Maude Latour for her super unique approach to writing."
5. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"I have a Sennheiser e845 mic that I use for all my shows. It was a gift from my mentor and my very first mic. I also have a little parlor size Breedlove acoustic guitar. Also a gift, it’s all I use to write songs nowadays. Even when I’m writing to a track, I’ll break it down into basic chords so I can play and write at the same time. There’s something about playing at the same time that I think brings out more passion in my lyrics and melodies."
6. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"There is literally nothing better than a live show; I love paying them so much. I try to create a really fun and invigorating experience at my live shows. I want everyone to have a good time, dancing and singing with the songs, but I also want to be super authentic. I try to tell the stories of the songs when I can and be super honest with how I feel. I know that other people in the audience are gonna resonate with some of my songs and you really never know when someone really needs to hear that someone has been through the same thing and still made it out. I want to be that for people and shows are a great way to create that community for people, so we know that we’re not alone, and we’re all in this together."
7. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"My music is for the misfits, the wallflowers, anyone who feels like they don’t fit in any one box. If you identify with both hot girl summer and sad girl summer, if you feel like no one understands you, if you’re just looking to jam out to a new wave of alternative pop music, my music is for you. I create music so all of us who feel like the nerds or the weirdos feel less alone. My goal is to foster community so that even when it feels like its you vs the world, you can know that you’re not alone. At the very least, I’ve got your back always."
8. What’s next for you?
"Once I graduate college, I’m working to do music full time. I have another single set to come out before the end of the year that I really hope you guys will love. Until then, I am in total writing boot camp, getting more and more songs ready for release in 2022."
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