We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zak The Tyrant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Zak The Tyrant, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I absolutely love being a recording artist. I love doing what I want with my music, when I want and not having to answer to anyone. But I also have a full time job.
Being an independent artist, I feel like many people do not take into account what comes with funding every aspect of your craft.
Us independent artists have to pay for the production of the music (if the artist isn’t producing that record themselves),
Studio time (if the artist isn’t recording themselves),
mixing/mastering that record (if the recording artist isn’t doing that themselves)(9/10 the artist isn’t doing those things),
then we have to pay for the professional cover art (if the artist isn’t creating that themselves),
the music video,
the digital marketing and advertising ect….
So as you can imagine, the price it takes to put out ONE successful record can absolutely accumulate.
Not to mention our every day bills that must be paid for the price of living.
So having a full time job is pretty much mandatory if you want to maintain this craft until you start making a livable income via fanbase/streaming revenue ect.
These things have a major effect on what we do as music artists. But I love it, and It’s an investment in myself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m an independent recording artist based out of Houston, Texas! Alternative Hip/hop is what I do!
Alternative meaning that my musical sound is versatile. I range from EDM/POP/PUNK/LO-FI/Grunge rap/EMO Rap/TRAP Rap and everything in between.
My main message is self-belief and inspiring others to push through adversity no matter what!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS! Stop only supporting the main stars that you hear on the radio. People need to understand that their favorite artist was once a local talent before they were noticed.
So go out to your local shows! Share local music and buy t-shirts!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To me the most rewarding part about being a music artist is being able to see the people who support you in person. Being able to hug the ones that were moved by my message and passion while I was on stage. I love meeting new supporters that can sit with me and vent about what they have going on in their life and how one of my songs helped them through it. There’s nothing in this earth that can compare to that when it comes to being an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ZakTheTyrant
- Instagram: @ZakTheTyrantMusic
- Facebook: @ZakTheTyrant
- Twitter: @ZakTheTyrantMusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/ZakTheTyrant
Image Credits
Teylor Bonner Lisa Tobey Greg Holleman