Zeale Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 14th 2010 6:48AM by John Haefele
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Austin, TX native and linguistic dynamo Zeale is no stranger to SXSW, yet rocking the mic during the festival still holds special significance as he gets to play ambassador to his city -- not too hard when you've got charisma by the crate load and rapping comes as easy as talking. Never satisfied with the status quo, Zeale is constantly pushing the envelope of his craft in a bid to satisfy his harshest critic: himself. Here's what he had to say about his upcoming SXSW performance, his surprising musical guilty pleasure, and why Ella Fitzgerald would make a perfect collaborator.

Describe your sound in your own words.

My sound is very up-tempo, high energy, cosmic, refreshing, and moving!

How did you first start making music?

I started making music as a freestyle artist and battle rapper. I won many regional and international rap battles before connecting with my current Croatian producer, Marko Jelic.

What are your musical influences?

My musical influences currently are Jay-Z, Daft Punk, Lupe Fiasco, Major Lazer, and MSTRKRFT.

How did you come up with your stage name?

My name was given to me by my high school buddies. I was a word bully and would joke with my friends all the time. They finally struck back by twisting my last name Zamarron into Zeale.

What's your biggest vice?

My biggest vice is never being satisfied. I might write a song that amazes my friends away, but still not like it myself. You can always make it better!

What's in your festival survival kit?

My microphone, chapstick, cologne, back up pair of shades, mint gum, iPhone, bottles of water, and a tiny flask of Jameson.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

My musical guilty pleasure is definitely AIR. God I love their music! Secret is out now!

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

The craziest thing I have ever seen on tour was a hotel room with a huge 8'x6' picture of breast above the bed! Yes, I took a picture with it!

You're from Austin, does performing at SXSW hold any special significance for you?

I am from Austin. SXSW holds a special significance for me because I am one of the ambassadors of my city to the international community inhabiting Austin that week. I also love the look on people's faces after a great show because they always ask, "Wow, you are from Austin?"

Do you think more rappers need to lighten up and have some fun?

I think all rappers need to lighten up and have some fun. Like one of my favorite comedians Katt Williams said, "You can't be hard all the time! Why you have to be hard at 7 in the morning when your eating cereal?" Relax!

If you could collaborate with any musician, dead or alive, who would you want to collaborate with?

If I could collaborate with any artist in history it would be Ella Fitzgerald. I love her voice and her soul. To make a song with her would mean more to me than I can place in words.

In your opinion what musician/rapper/band out right now is the most overrated? Underrated?

In my opinion the most overrated artist is Taylor Swift. I think she has a great look, but i don't feel her singing ability or song content is that impressive at this point. I am sure she will grow out of it though! I feel the most underrated artist is me, Hollywood Holt, and LAX. It is all good though because our swagger just turned digital and we are ready to take the analog world by storm.

John Haefele is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.