Music Review and Interview with Zo Max – God’s refusal

I like the production and creativity in this track, I also really appreciated the intelligent and reflective nature of the rap. There’s a very classic hip-hop vibe to the music once it kicks in, but there’s also a lot of that modern edge which you might hear on a Mac Miller or Kendrick album. It’s a really great track, the lyrics are fantastic – not a single line reminded me of anything I’d heard previously, and I’m personally a fan of quite a lot of underground hip-hop. Every line is great, casually and quite handsomely expressed, there’s even an element of the original Slim Shady LP at times – perhaps the musical simplicity and the character within the vocal, plus the storytelling. The storytelling, lyrically, is really great – I can’t compliment that enough. It’s rare and greatly appreciated when discovered.

It’s hip-hop how it’s meant to be, insightful and smart, peaceful and powerful, fresh and nostalgic. All of these things at once. It’s music as it’s meant to be as well – powerful and really grabbing your attention and changing the way you feel for a few moments. I’ve not heard anything this focused and clever sounding in quite some time. The vocal is soothing and addictive to listen to – you want to hear it properly, so as not to miss anything important. It doesn’t feel like rap for the sake of rap, it feels like someone within something to say and an artistic and beautiful way in which they’ve chosen to say it. The hiss and tinny background noise is really effective alongside the simplicity of that piano twinkle and that jazz like groove from the bass and the beat. The perfect kind of track for reflective evenings at home or out on a drive. You can really feel the music and what’s being said. I’ll definitely be looking for more tracks from Zo Max.

By Rebecca Cullen

 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Zo: Well I was born in Utah but only lived there for the first year of my life with my mother.  We moved to Houston, Texas which is where I grew up. I decided to become an artist after my love for hearing music naturally forced me to create it.  That transition took place early. I was ten when I wrote my first song.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

I just use my first name as my stage name. I feel like Zo sticks out memorably enough on its own. My inspiration to just stick with using my first name comes from the belief that it supports authenticity.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I think it’s amazing that music can be shared worldwide. Aside from mass amounts of saturation that naturally follows, I think it is something to appreciate.  Yes, I do give Mixtapes away for free because people are more inclined to follow you and listen to you as well as respect you if you share your music for free but I suggest only doing this in the beginning of your career for the most part.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

I would say be professional and nice to everyone first and foremost.  Kindness in a ten second encounter can open up huge opportunities just because you developed respect in an instant. Gently push yourself forward and don’t force anything. Talk well in your constant networking and don’t let up in your determination. :

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

I gather inspiration mainly from the course of life with its beginnings, middles and ends. It’s hard to pinpoint but just imagine being a conduit from and for the universe and that you utilize expressing that with music for the sole fact that you exist with the capability.  I can, I want to and so I do. My process is much more simple than the inspiration. It is comprised of nothing but feeling that urge to hear a beat and then sprinting to the journal and pen.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

I don’t have a personal website at this point. I use many of the common platforms to share my music such as Twitter, Facebook, Reverbnation, Wix, etc.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

I’d give half of it to people who need it and would use it correctly and with the last half of half a million dollars I would buy and pay off all necessities of living and put whatever is left into my music career.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I receive suggestions from friends/artists but do most of my own research and after comparing services or methods I choose the best ones.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Well I was working with Kevin Gate’s and his label along with other big names but am bent on staying independent for as long as I should.  I will say there is much about to happen.  I want to talk about it all but I think I’ll just keep everything a surprise.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t making music I would continue in Nursing and further that degree.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

That’s a good question. I have no idea. :

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

They should forward to what they’ve been missing.  I am here to give that. :