We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zander Shine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zander below.

Alright, Zander thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking a Risk – My Story

When the world shut down during the pandemic, I found myself at a crossroads. With so much uncertainty in the air, I was forced to slow down and really ask myself what I wanted from life. Music had always been my passion, but for the first time, I decided to give it everything.

I poured all my energy, time, and focus into creating. I learned production, locked myself in the studio, and made music obsessively—like my life depended on it. There were no guarantees, no plan B—just a gut feeling that this was the moment to go all in.

That risk changed everything. It led to my first record deal with Universal Music Group—a surreal moment that made all the sleepless nights worth it. From that point forward, I never looked back. That deal gave me the confidence to keep chasing this dream, and it set the foundation for everything that followed.

The pandemic was a strange, difficult time for everyone, but for me, it was also the spark that pushed me to stop hesitating and start becoming who I was meant to be.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

So I’m a producer, songwriter, and artist making feel-good house music with a touch of soul—groovy, emotional, and built for the dancefloor.”

Things really started clicking when I was living in L.A. I had some really good friends doing wild stuff in music—some of them were part of The Shalizi Group and just casually, touring the world and changing the game. Being around that kind of momentum was a huge eye-opener. It made this whole music dream feel less like a fantasy and more like, “Oh, this is actually doable if you don’t sleep and pour your whole soul into it.”

Then the pandemic hit and everything stopped. I moved back to Arizona to be close to family, and honestly? That downtime became everything. No distractions, no parties, no pressure—just me, a laptop, and way too many late nights messing around in Ableton. That’s when I really locked in, learned how to produce properly, and figured out my sound. Eventually, all that work led to signing my first deal with Universal Music Group, which was… surreal. That was the moment I felt like, “Okay, we’re actually doing this.”

Since then, it’s been nonstop. Originals, remixes, collabs with artists from everywhere—I just want to make music that feels honest. Whether it’s a giant festival track or something more intimate, I want it to actually say something.
I’m not really trying to be trendy. I just want to tell stories, connect with people, and make music that hits emotionally—like, dance music with a heartbeat. Every track I put out is a little piece of where I’m at, and I hope people feel that.

This whole thing’s been a wild ride already, and it still feels like the intro. I’m just trying to keep it real and make stuff that lasts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having the ability to take a feeling—something intangible—and turn it into something people can hear, connect with, and feel themselves. Music has always been my outlet, and being able to create exactly what I want—without limits—is incredibly freeing. Whether it’s joy, heartbreak, nostalgia, or hope, I can translate those emotions into sound in a way that speaks louder than words ever could.

There’s nothing like finishing a song and realizing you’ve captured a moment, a memory, or an emotion in a way that someone else might hear and say, “Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel.” That kind of connection is what drives me. That’s what makes it all worth it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand is that being a creative isn’t just about making something cool or entertaining—it’s about constantly putting a piece of yourself out into the world with no guarantee of how it will be received.

There’s a deep vulnerability in that. You’re not just creating for attention; you’re creating because something inside you needs to be expressed. And often, that process is lonely, uncertain, and full of self-doubt. It’s not a straight line. It’s long nights, endless revisions, and moments where you wonder if anyone will even care.

But what keeps you going is the belief that what you’re making could mean something to someone. That maybe, just maybe, someone out there will hear it, feel seen, and feel less alone.

That kind of purpose is hard to measure—but it’s everything to a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zandershine.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zandershine/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/zandershinemusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/zandershine?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTP7UUXcr_JwKLI62IW5DpA
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zandershine
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BrRcxjO72qykq7gcCSxt6
  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/zander-shine/1487244560
  Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0817KXQ4N/zander-shine?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_qiBwWyDujG0j9TIOhUzJoXnX0