When things are going well, it’s hard to imagine that they might not be. The wave you ride seems endless. But life is an up and down of emotions, experiences, and unpredictability. Music can give comfort and strength, for the artist as well as the listener. Zoya Zafar‘s ‘Sweet Talk‘ is such a wonderfully lovely piece that warms the soul when it needs it most.
“To be kind and empathetic, everyone is going through something you don’t know about.” This words from the Orlando indie pop artist doesn’t just reflect her understanding and empathy towards the human condition but also embodies the essence of her music. That’s where the kindness and empathy come in, you know? Just assuming someone might be having a tough time, even if you don’t know the details. And that’s exactly what Zafar’s music does. It feels like a safe space to land, a place where she shares her own journey through life’s ups and downs. Her songs are like bridges, connecting her experiences to ours.
In our interview, we talk about the creative process behind ‘Sweet Talk‘, explore the significant role music played in Zafar’s recovery, and discuss how her personal challenges have shaped her growth as an artist and individual.
photography by Ada Chen
Your single ‘Sweet Talk’ explores the complexities of human connection and infatuation. What was the creative process behind this song?
I wrote ‘Sweet Talk’ about 7 years ago, and it feels like a blur now, but I remember writing it on an acoustic guitar while sitting on my bedroom floor. The writing was reflective of a time full of conflicting emotions and writing this song was a cathartic way to process what was unsettling me. It’s about the highs and lows of longing, the desperation and the resulting emptiness.
For the production, my producer and I collaborated remotely. This song was added to the album at the last minute because I had a vision for this song that set it apart from the rest. I sent him different demos of the song and ideas I had. I was really inspired by artists like Cocteau Twins, Beach House, and Slowdive. I really wanted this song to feel dreamy, and I didn’t want my vocals to be so forward like in the rest of my songs.
‘Sweet Talk’ feels so effortlessly beautiful and heart-warming. What do you hope listeners personally take away from this song?
Thank you! I hope whoever listens to this song feels less alone or feels validated.
How do you feel your new release represents your growth as an artist?
I think the production may stylistically represent a new phase for me. Using more synths and dreamier vocals, but it depends on the song. For ‘Sweet Talk’, I really felt it needed to go the dream pop route. In general, releasing this song, and the collection of songs that is my album, just feels like a new step forward and I’m thrilled to finally share them. I’m always growing as an artist and it’s nice to focus on new songs that hopefully will reflect that.
“I hope whoever listens to this song feels less alone or feels validated.”
Your songs have been described as ‘love letters and faint curses.’ How do you balance vulnerability and strength in your songwriting?
Music has always been a safe space to express vulnerability. I don’t consciously think about balancing anything besides just being a human and being honest. My songs reflect how I process my life and all the phases; it depends on where I am emotionally.
You’ve shared about the significant health challenges you faced before completing this album. How did these experiences shape the music on your upcoming album ‘Some Songs’?
Well, the songs on this album were written before my life took a turn. I originally wanted to record and release these songs back in 2018, but that year my dad and grandma passed away. It deeply affected me. They also played a big role in my life musically. I tried to still continue working on music, but it was an uphill battle. I didn’t have money to fund the album, and mentally it was just really hard to focus on songs that, when grieving, felt meaningless. Shortly after, I developed an autoimmune disease that got really aggressive to the point where I couldn’t walk, and I was in chronic pain. To be completely honest, I lost a lot of interest in music in general, which feels like a crazy thing for me to admit since music always offered me comfort. I felt a lot of guilt and questioned if I was truly an artist if I couldn’t turn my “pain into art,” but I’ve learned to be gentle with myself; everyone is different, and it’s unrealistic to always be in a creative flow.
I guess the way that these challenges shaped the songs on this album is that in that time of isolation and uncreativity, I really felt like I needed to collaborate with someone else on this project. These songs also have my producers’ fingerprints all over them; it was a really special process of trust.
“I’ve learned to be gentle with myself; everyone is different, and it’s unrealistic to always be in a creative flow.”
And what role did music play in your recovery?
Collaborating on this album really helped me feel less isolated. These songs felt fresh, and I got excited about them again. As I processed grief, I created music therapeutically without the pressure that anyone would hear it. I experimented and didn’t always think about the lyrics; it’s hard to always express yourself through words.
Given your diverse fanbase across Florida’s underground subcultures, how do you see your music resonating with different listeners?
It’s a big honor that anyone would listen to my music, and at the end of the day, music is all about community and connection. The Florida music scene is a really welcoming place; our music scene often gets overlooked, most bands don’t tour here. I think that’s why people are so supportive of local musicians, no matter the genre.
The most important thing of life?
To be kind and empathetic, everyone is going through something you don’t know about.
Thank you so much for your time!
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