Interview with Anthony Zona
We recently interviewed teen, Anthony Zona.
View the interview below!
Anthony: My name is Anthony Zona. I’m an eighteen year old high school graduate, and I have a passion for singing, producing, and writing music. At the age of 13 I had already loved singing but did not know how to produce my own music. So, I taught mymyself the production aspect of it, and from there I realized the impact that had on my music.
Question 1: What drew you towards your love of music?
Anthony: A lot really, at a young age I’ve listened to a variety of artists. My love for music has always been with me. Music has taught me to be an individual, and to express myself in a way like I haven’t before. Music has also been there for my emotional well-being, through good and bad. To me it is more than “a song”, it is a time capsule of someone’s life, emotions, thoughts. The idea of capturing a moment forever is what intrigues me towards it.
Question 2: What do you enjoy the most about being a musician?
Anthony: What I enjoy the most is feedback from the listeners. After I released my two singles “Why Don’t You Call Me?” and “Love Is Not Here”, the feedback has only been positive, and just to know that other people enjoy the music that I have created is really touching to me. I also enjoy really enjoy the unexpected. As a producer, a lot of my mistakes, surprisingly are a big part of the final project in my music. As an experimental artist I appreciate artists that think outside of the box, music that sounds different than the norm. So, I am not afraid to put out something completely different to what people are used to hearing.
Question 3: How long does it normally take for you to produce a song?
Anthony: It depends on the song really. It can as short as one day, or if a week. The songs I’ve work on for “Tainted Monaco” are all different in their own way, but the album took me more than 2 years to complete.
Question 4: What other musicians are you inspired by?
Anthony: I take something from all the artist I listen to. An artist who goes by “Blood Orange” has inspired me with his groovy type music. Another example is a band I listen to who goes by “S U R F I N G” released an album called “Deep Fantasy” that inspired the more chill, or laid back songs off “Tainted Monaco” like Neon Palms, Love Is Not Here, Or Monaco1986. And more mainstream artist like “Lady Gaga”. I admire her for not being afraid of who she is, or what she stands for. Artists like the ones I’ve mention all inspire me, and my music.
Question 5: What would you say your “sound” of music is?
Anthony: The music I produce has many genres. I consider myself to be an alternative artist, but with my debut album “Tainted Monaco”, you will be hearing the different sides of me, and my music. All of the songs are diverse in their own way, and the idea of the album is to showcase them in a way that they blend organically with each other.
Question 6: What’s the hardest part about producing/writing/making music?
Anthony: The hardest part for me is being patient. My debut album took me over 2 years to complete, and instead of releasing the album earlier than intended, I waited until I felt completely confident in my work. I love to share my music, and to get feed back from my listeners. So it’s hard for me to keep my music to myself at times, but it was definitely worth it because all of the songs blend in with each other perfectly on the album!
Question 7: What qualities do you believe a musician should possess?
Anthony: I believe all musicians should be able to express themselves completely, and to be able to experiment with their work. I believe the beauty of music is self expression. It is also the connection you gain with your audience. They believe in what you’re making, and some may relate to it as well. So if you’re being true yourself in your music, then who are they really listening to?
Question 8: What is the best advice you have received regarding music?
Anthony: The best advice I’ve received is from my older sister Ariana, she taught me to produce my music for me, and to not be ashamed of what I make. Because of her advice, I experiment with my music a lot more, and I have the confidence to release what I want without second guessing myself.
Last Question: Do you have any short advice for young musicians?
Anthony: My advice for young musicians like myself would be to not be ashamed for your work. If nobody else understands your music, it’s only because your real supporters haven’t heard it. Always stay true to who you are, and the message you are trying to portray.
Anna: Thank you for doing this interview!!
Anthony: Thank you for having me
Anthony's Instagram: @antzonaa
Question 1: What drew you towards your love of music?
Anthony: A lot really, at a young age I’ve listened to a variety of artists. My love for music has always been with me. Music has taught me to be an individual, and to express myself in a way like I haven’t before. Music has also been there for my emotional well-being, through good and bad. To me it is more than “a song”, it is a time capsule of someone’s life, emotions, thoughts. The idea of capturing a moment forever is what intrigues me towards it.
Question 2: What do you enjoy the most about being a musician?
Anthony: What I enjoy the most is feedback from the listeners. After I released my two singles “Why Don’t You Call Me?” and “Love Is Not Here”, the feedback has only been positive, and just to know that other people enjoy the music that I have created is really touching to me. I also enjoy really enjoy the unexpected. As a producer, a lot of my mistakes, surprisingly are a big part of the final project in my music. As an experimental artist I appreciate artists that think outside of the box, music that sounds different than the norm. So, I am not afraid to put out something completely different to what people are used to hearing.
Question 3: How long does it normally take for you to produce a song?
Anthony: It depends on the song really. It can as short as one day, or if a week. The songs I’ve work on for “Tainted Monaco” are all different in their own way, but the album took me more than 2 years to complete.
Question 4: What other musicians are you inspired by?
Anthony: I take something from all the artist I listen to. An artist who goes by “Blood Orange” has inspired me with his groovy type music. Another example is a band I listen to who goes by “S U R F I N G” released an album called “Deep Fantasy” that inspired the more chill, or laid back songs off “Tainted Monaco” like Neon Palms, Love Is Not Here, Or Monaco1986. And more mainstream artist like “Lady Gaga”. I admire her for not being afraid of who she is, or what she stands for. Artists like the ones I’ve mention all inspire me, and my music.
Question 5: What would you say your “sound” of music is?
Anthony: The music I produce has many genres. I consider myself to be an alternative artist, but with my debut album “Tainted Monaco”, you will be hearing the different sides of me, and my music. All of the songs are diverse in their own way, and the idea of the album is to showcase them in a way that they blend organically with each other.
Question 6: What’s the hardest part about producing/writing/making music?
Anthony: The hardest part for me is being patient. My debut album took me over 2 years to complete, and instead of releasing the album earlier than intended, I waited until I felt completely confident in my work. I love to share my music, and to get feed back from my listeners. So it’s hard for me to keep my music to myself at times, but it was definitely worth it because all of the songs blend in with each other perfectly on the album!
Question 7: What qualities do you believe a musician should possess?
Anthony: I believe all musicians should be able to express themselves completely, and to be able to experiment with their work. I believe the beauty of music is self expression. It is also the connection you gain with your audience. They believe in what you’re making, and some may relate to it as well. So if you’re being true yourself in your music, then who are they really listening to?
Question 8: What is the best advice you have received regarding music?
Anthony: The best advice I’ve received is from my older sister Ariana, she taught me to produce my music for me, and to not be ashamed of what I make. Because of her advice, I experiment with my music a lot more, and I have the confidence to release what I want without second guessing myself.
Last Question: Do you have any short advice for young musicians?
Anthony: My advice for young musicians like myself would be to not be ashamed for your work. If nobody else understands your music, it’s only because your real supporters haven’t heard it. Always stay true to who you are, and the message you are trying to portray.
Anna: Thank you for doing this interview!!
Anthony: Thank you for having me
Anthony's Instagram: @antzonaa