Zachary Booth Interview

1) How long have you been making music? How do you think you’ve changed since your first release?
 I have been writing random songs since I was 10 or 11, but just in 2019 was when I decided to release my original work. My first release was “Potential” in December of 2019. Since then, I definitely have gotten better with how to make studio sessions more time efficient. “Potential” also taught me how to organically song-write. 
2) Has quarantine and COVID-19 affected your music or process in any way?
 I was lucky enough to finish my recording sessions for “Letters to Clara” in early March; right before everything got crazy here in the US. Not that this matters in the grand scheme of things, but I wasn’t able to have an EP release party. That made me sad!
3) How would you describe your style of music?
 It’s hard to put this EP in one genre because I pull inspiration from artists in many genres! I would say the closest would be alternative, but make it deeper than surface level lyrics. I don’t want to be known as a “sad songwriter” but if the shoe fits...
4) What are your top three songs right now?
My three favorite songs (that I can’t stop playing,) are “come out and play” by Billie Eilish, “Wonder” by Phil Good, and “The City” by Grace VanderWaal. All incredible songs.
5) Who is your biggest inspiration, famous and not?
My famous inspiration would be Tori Kelly. She has stayed true to herself through multiple labels, managers, and through ups and downs in the music industry. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her a few times and she’s just a genuine person. Runner up is Jon Bellion, for the same reasons. Not famous inspiration would be my dad. My dad grew up in a rough place and worked hard to get out of that situation. He toured around the US in his twenties with his band, “Common Heart.” I pull a lot of my musical capability from him. 
6) How did you come up with the name “Letters to Clara” for your new EP? Is there a story behind it?
Great question! “Letters to Clara” is very special to me as an artist. Simply enough, I have a friend that I write letters back and forth with (yep, not text message paragraphs,) and I tend to open up to her about serious topics that I’m usually not comfortable talking about. Without these letters, none of these songs would exist. The songs are essentially extensions of incredibly personal and stripped down letters that I write to my friend. Oh, and her name is Clara. 
7) Do you have any connections with other Colorado local bands?
I do! My producer is Daniel Jay, and I’m good friends with Catherine Rose. Both have their own amazing music out and I listen to them a lot! 
8) If you could open for any band from any time who would it be and why?
My dream would be to open for Elton John, because he is a living legend. That man has done and seen it all. I would love to just absorb a second of his knowledge about the music industry and how the world works. 
9) What inspired your first single “Potential”?
My first single was actually written about my best friend. We had a few rough weeks where we were not meshing, and that hadn’t happened before then. Something she says a lot is “The potential is there...” and since i’m dramatic, I impulsively wrote a song about her, kind of calling her out with those lyrics. A week later, things were back to normal, I showed her the song and we laughed about it. I know she thinks it’s cool to have something dedicated to her, so thanks Abby! PS: we are still very much the “best of friends.”
10) What is your songwriting process like?
My songwriting sessions are usually right after writing a letter to Clara. I sit at the piano with a topic or story in my mind, and figure out a few chords that reflect my current emotions. After that, I record multiple melodies and sing random sentences about said topic. Once something feels right, I listen back to all the recordings and form a verse, a chorus, etc. 
11) Thank you! Anything you’d like to add?
Thank you guys for being the first magazine to interview me about my music. I’m very excited to getting back into the studio and hopefully get a full album out in 2020.
Zachary Booth / IG: @zacharydbooth