We were lucky to catch up with Zandi Holup recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zandi, thanks for joining 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.

I think risk taking is all about perspective. If you take a risk, you are usually risking stability. But by not taking a risk, you are risking never being truly fulfilled. I have taken many risks. I never went to college, some people would say that is a risk, but for me it would have been more of a risk to pursue something I wasn’t passionate about for 4 years. Some people would say it is a risk that the music I write goes against the grain rather than fitting in, but I think it would be a bigger risk to sacrifice my individuality. Some would say moving to Nashville is a risk, but I think the bigger risk would have been never moving and potentially missing out on my destiny. Moving to Nashville was a rash decision. I was here on a writing trip and I went to an industry mixer and I heard a booming voice in my head saying “you need to move here”. I said “stop it God, I’m not moving here”. Then about an hour later I heard it again. I kept trying to ignore it. Then I ended up meeting a really sweet girl who asked if I wanted to get fried chicken with her. I began telling her my story over fried chicken and she said “oh my gosh you should move here!”. That was my confirmation. With just a suitcase I began looking for a place to live the next day. I didn’t know anyone in Nashville, I didn’t have a job lined up, I didn’t have any real plan, but I knew that God wanted me here. I am so glad I took this risk because my entire life changed for the better. I met truly great friends, I have had amazing things happen with my music career, and I feel like I truly found my home. It could have gone the opposite way, but I am so glad I took the risk because the reward paid off.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started out doing plays and musicals when I was a young child. I started writing songs when I was 12. Writing songs was like writing in a diary for me, very therapeutic. My parents already had me working as a child actor, so I began to take music seriously as a possible profession as well. The older I got the more passionate I became about music. I realized from a very young age that I wouldn’t be going to college and into the workforce, I knew my life was meant to take more of an unconventional turn. When I turned 18 I moved to LA for awhile, then I made my way to Nashville and that is where I live now. I sing and write country music. My music is the most honest and raw version of myself. I write what is most personal to me in my songs. Sometimes the truth is ugly, but I still tell it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part is giving back to others. Sometimes giving back looks like a really big tip to a waitress paying it forward. Sometimes giving back looks like putting someones emotions into a song that allows them to express themselves. I love to give parts of my heart from my blessings that come with being a creative. The thing that fascinates me the most about life is other people and their stories. I love reading comments and talking to people about how they relate to my art and how even though we are different, the music brings us together. Being an artists allows me to see how truly similar we are as human beings. I can write a song that is extremely personal to me, but a large group of people can relate to those personal lyrics. It makes me feel close to people and their stories. I just want to give as much of my heart as I can to others.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my following on Tik Tok during the Covid 19 pandemic. I would spend about 5 hours a day creating video content. Everyones journey on social media is different, but for me being a workhorse is what got me where I am. I posted country covers to build an audience of country music fans. Then I began posting original songs. I noticed that they got more engagement than the cover songs. I began posting original songs every day. I try as hard as I can to reply to almost every comment I get. I think it is very important to think of your followers as friends. Make sure to post every day so they know what you are up to, write songs that allow them to get to know you, and interact with them! I truly love each person who has supported me on social media. My best advice to someone wanting to build their social media is to put time into it. Really make sure your content has good sound and lighting. Make sure your songs are your best. Do not get discouraged, keep posting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zandiholup/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zandiholup/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@zandiholup?lang=en

Image Credits
Seth Hayes Glen Thomas Collins Jeff Jenkins