A Nostalgia Hangover: Ben Zaidi Releases “2013” Single
Seattle-based artist, Ben Zaidi describes himself as a “confessional singer-songwriter” and is one of the rising stars in the indie-pop realm. His latest single release “2013” is captivating with its acoustic melodies and soundscapes that bring in youthful, nostalgic energy.
Zaidi wants “2013” to hold space for sentimental feelings for listeners while inviting a reflection on nostalgia being like a “drug.” Fusing elements of each of his early influences, from Joni Mitchell to Phoebe Bridgers, Zaidi is creating soundscapes that bring awareness of documenting the euphoric high-and-low feelings of youth.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Can you give us a general artist statement?
[ZAIDI]: My name is Ben Zaidi, I'm a confessional singer-songwriter and poet from Seattle, Washington.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What drew you into the music industry and how did you get your start?
[ZAIDI]: I started writing poems and songs in middle school. I was too shy of a kid to ever start a band, but a teacher showed me Garageband and I began recording my own demos. When I was at college in Boston, I was skipping class to write a song one day when it became suddenly clear to me that nothing I was studying could hold a candle to that feeling. I found a job in a recording studio back in Seattle and started releasing music, learning from the artists who'd pass through about what it took to make it actually possible. The basic ingredients were: put out songs, play shows, rinse & repeat for a few years until it grew to the point that it could be full-time.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is the inspiration behind “2013”?
[ZAIDI]: “2013” is a reflection on nostalgia. There's a part of it that's earnestly nostalgic for that time––which seems so much simpler, purer, happier than the years that followed––but also a part questioning whether that's really true. All due respect to 'Summer of 69,' but I wasn't really interested in a full-throated "remember the good old days" type of song. There's something to that feeling, but also something going on underneath it.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is a feeling or listening experience you want your listeners to take away from “2013”?
[ZAIDI]: I hope that it can hold space for nostalgic feelings, while also inviting a reflection on what that's really about. Nostalgia is like a drug, it should be taken responsibly.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are three words you would use to describe your song “2013”?
[ZAIDI]: A nostalgia hangover.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What do you love about “2013” the most? What excites you about it?
[ZAIDI]: The end of the bridge. Each chorus begins with the words "two... thousand thirteen." At the end of the bridge, however, as it comes around to the chorus the line goes: "It was the summer you left, my heart was splitting in two" and the "two" at the end of that line becomes the "two" at the beginning of the chorus. Nothing gives a songwriter joy like pulling off one of those. It's like landing a double backflip.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You are expecting to release your debut album called Acre of Salt next summer, can you tell us more about the album and what listeners can expect?
[ZAIDI]: An album for the end of youth. It follows the story of several road trips to Florida, which end up chronicling the turning from this more innocent, childlike hopefulness that's reflected on in 2013, to a dawning awareness of our mortality and oncoming climate apocalypse. Fun for the whole family.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How does it feel to be in the process of releasing your debut album?
[ZAIDI]: It's like I solved a riddle I've been working on my whole life. I have given everything to it. John Steinbeck said to a friend about 'East Of Eden' that it was his "box with everything in it"––that's how I feel about this album. It's the truest expression of myself and my art that I've ever had. And as a result––and this is the best side effect of all––I couldn't give a shit what anyone thinks of it.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What does your general songwriting process like?
[ZAIDI]: Mumble-sing some words into my phone while pumping gas at a service plaza. Two weeks later find the voice note and get confused trying to decipher what I was saying, get distracted by some chords while trying to figure that out, and end up coming up with something else. Then, get bored of that and read a little, find a word in the book that reminds me of those chords, pick up the guitar again and noodle around for an hour, make some tea, realize that word might have something to do with a relationship that's been troubling me. I write out a few pages of lines, gradually whittle them down to some verses and a chorus, record a little demo and play it for my girlfriend. If she cries, keep working on it. If not, probably forget about it and start over.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are you looking forward to in the next year?
[ZAIDI]: Writing more, hopefully moving to LA and getting back in the studio with Tony Berg, who produced this album.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What artists/musicians inspire your songwriting processes or music stylings now?
[ZAIDI]: Joni Mitchell, Solange, Nick Drake, Frank Ocean, Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and Adrianne Lenker.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Who are other people in the industry you would love to collaborate with, whether that’s songwriters or producers, or fellow artists?
[ZAIDI]: AG Cook, Justin Vernon, and James Blake.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is your wildest dream as an artist, is you can have a dream collaboration with anyone or play a venue anywhere, etc … what does that look like for you?
[ZAIDI]: My dream is to build a studio somewhere in the San Juan Islands near Seattle, and put out two albums a year (minimum) until I'm too old to continue. Then I'd love to put whatever I may have learned to use to help young artists hone their own songwriting and artistry.
