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ZHZ Podcast: Independent Music & Artist Interviews

ZHZ Podcast: Independent Music & Artist Interviews

By: Zak Davis & Matt Allen
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The ZHZ Podcast: Independent Music & Artist Interviews connects you with the artists shaping independent music today. Hosted by Zak Davis and Matt Allen of Z Frequency, each episode features authentic conversations with indie musicians about their music, creative journey, and life beyond the stage. For artists, it's a platform to share their story and reach new listeners. For fans, it's a place to discover your next favorite band.

🎧 New episodes weekly — subscribe now to discover your next favorite artist and join us inside the world of independent music.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the show? Click here

2025 Zak Davis & Matt Allen
Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • CROCHET Butterflies and DARK Pop? Briauna Rapid Fire
    Jun 30 2026

    CROCHET butterflies and DARK pop vibes with Briauna—our fastest Rapid Fire yet from Independent Music & Artist Interviews. 🎙️

    Briauna pulled up for a Rapid Fire round that goes from wholesome to unhinged in the best way—crochet butterflies, dark pop energy, and the creative mindset behind the world she’s building as an indie artist.

    If you love quick questions, real answers, and finding new artists before they blow up, this one’s for you. This is exactly why we do Independent Music & Artist Interviews—to show the human behind the art.

    Watch the full interview episode

    ▶️ Full Interview episode: [LINK]

    Support Briauna

    🩸 Pre-Save “Lobotomy” (out July 17): https://tr.ee/-gDp12c3o7

    🔗 Briauna Linktree: linktr.ee/briauna.official

    📩 Booking / EPK: briaunamusic.kit.com

    ZHZ Podcast

    🎧 Subscribe / follow the show for more episodes + updates: https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

    Quick CTA

    Hit Subscribe if you want more indie artists, real convos, and more Rapid Fire episodes like this.

    Chapters

    00:00:00 Rapid‑Fire Kickoff & Handmade Gifts

    00:03:30 Influences, Road‑Trip Pick & Creative Philosophy

    00:07:00 First Songs, Childhood Stories & Early Creativity

    00:10:30 Secret Languages, School Projects & Growing Up Different

    00:14:00 Perfect Pitch, Sensory Overload & Musician Life

    00:17:30 Storytelling, Metaphors & The Heart of Independent Music

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Why This Indie Pop Artist Is Obsessed With Butterflies
    Jun 23 2026

    Discover how Briauna built a unique artist identity through butterflies, storytelling, and Independent Music & Artist Interviews.

    Singer-songwriter, pianist, and independent artist Briauna joins Zak and Matt on the ZHZ Podcast to share her journey from writing songs at 11 years old to building a unique "musical biosphere" rooted in storytelling, vulnerability, and artistic world-building.

    In this episode, we dive into her upcoming single "Lobotomy," the inspiration behind releasing three different versions of the song, the realities of navigating both the Los Angeles and Utah music scenes, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career as an independent artist. We also explore her butterfly symbolism, film scoring work, creative process, artist branding, and practical music marketing strategies for today's independent musicians.

    Whether you're an artist, songwriter, music fan, or someone looking for inspiration on building a creative brand, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and real-world experience.

    🦋 Follow Briauna:

    LinkTree: http://linktr.ee/briauna.official

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briauna.official/

    🎵 Pre-Save "Lobotomy":

    https://tr.ee/-gDp12c3o7

    🎙️ Listen to More ZHZ Podcast:

    https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

    If you enjoy Independent Music & Artist Interviews, artist stories, music marketing discussions, and conversations about the Utah music scene, make sure to subscribe, like, and leave a comment.

    CHAPTERS

    00:00:00 Intro & Cold Open

    00:00:48 Meet Briauna: Utah, LA & Her Musical Journey

    00:03:20 Inside "Lobotomy" & The Three-Version Release Strategy

    00:08:33 Film Scoring, Collaboration & Creative Growth

    00:13:54 The Meaning Behind "Lobotomy" & Dark Pop Storytelling

    00:21:23 Building A Musical Biosphere: Butterflies & Artist Branding

    00:33:07 Independent Artist Challenges, Social Media & Community

    00:41:32 Music Marketing, Playlist Pitching & Release Strategy

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Why All Artists Aren't Narcissists: Ariel Vizzini
    Jun 16 2026

    We smash the starving artist stereotype and explain why self-confidence in music isn't narcissistic.

    Is believing in your art a sign of a massive ego, or is it just survival? In this Rapid Fire 7 episode of The ZHZ Podcast, Zak Davis and Matt Allen (Z Frequency) sit down with Ariel Vizzini to dismantle the "narcissistic" starving artist stereotype.

    Ariel breaks down the thin line between being a "crazy cat lady" and a confident creator, offering a raw look at how she balances a demanding 50-hour work week with high-level songwriting and production. We dive deep into the internal battle between self-criticism and the confidence required to call yourself an artist.

    From stacking three-octave harmonies to the hilarious story of Zak’s bold encounter with Fishbone’s Angelo Moore, this episode covers the vulnerability and the grit it takes to move your art from a "hobby" to a way of life.

    Inside this Rapid Fire 7:

    - The Narcissism Myth: Smashing the idea that wanting to be heard makes you a narcissist.

    - The Inner Critic: Why the "Theater Director" is the one giving Ariel notes in the studio.

    - Creative Burnout: How cats (and not music) actually refill Ariel's creative battery.

    - The "Worst Day" Outfit: Dressing dark themes in glitter.

    - Honest Feedback: The struggle of sending demos to family and the "Disclaimers" we all use.

    - The Mystery of "Chocolate Roads": Zak and Ariel try to solve a misheard lyric mystery.

    Connect with Z Frequency:

    - Listen to our music: https://zfrequency.com

    - Follow us on Socials: https://seemlify.com/zfrequency

    Subscribe to The ZHZ Podcast: https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

    Join Zak and Matt every week as we talk music production, mixing, marketing, and sit down with the artists who are actually doing the work. Don't forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

    Support the Guest:

    - Follow Ariel Vizzini: linktr.ee/arielvizzini linktr.ee/arielvizzini

    - Stream her latest music: https://arielvizzini.bandcamp.com/

    Chapters:

    00:00 - ZHZ Rapid Fire: 7 Questions

    00:12 - If your worst day ever was an outfit...

    01:05 - Learning to stop "translating" yourself for others

    01:47 - Why cats are the ultimate creative battery refill

    02:46 - What is your motivation? The theater director's voice

    03:16 - DEEP DIVE: Smashing the Artist Narcissist Stereotype

    04:59 - The “Angelo Moore” story (Zak’s boldest career move)

    06:18 - Why wives and moms are the hardest critics

    07:42 - How music production changes the way you hear everything

    08:32 - The emotional release of "The Last Exit"

    09:41 - The "Chocolate Roads" misheard lyric debate

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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