Following on from a string of impactful offerings last year, Nashville-based artist Zëta Ræ is now back for 2025 with her anthemic new single '24'.
Bringing back more of that bold and immersive pop-rock aesthetic she has been crafting lately, '24' makes for a wondrous return to form for her. With her soaring vocal style riding across a euphoric production from start to finish, she continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I’ve been obsessed with singing for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I would hide in my closet every night to attempt the belts and runs my favourite singers were doing. In early middle school, I started playing piano and fell in love with creating chords, but singing will always be my first love.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up on a lot of early 2000s Disney Channel music, and I will always love that era. It might sound silly, but Hannah Montana, High School Musical, and Camp Rock shaped who I am as an artist, and I often hear their influence in my music. My parents also introduced me to a lot of great music when I was a kid- David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. All of the greats.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first band I was really obsessed with was Paramore, and the first album I owned was Brand New Eyes. I would blast it on my hot pink CD player in my room and on my MP3 player (since iPods weren’t really around yet). That tour was also my first concert. I was so blown away by Hayley’s voice, and it was my first experience being moved by heavy guitars. I still love that album, and Paramore will forever be an influence of mine.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" by Radiohead is, in my opinion, a perfect song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’m usually alone in my bedroom, playing guitar or making beats in Logic. If I feel stuck, I try to find some form of movement or change—I often get ideas when I’m outside. I also find a lot of inspiration whenever I’m learning a new instrument. When I discovered DADF#AD tuning, I finished an entire EP in just a couple of months.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
This past year, I’ve been listening to a lot of Charli XCX, Frost Children, Chappell Roan, Cleo Sol, Ariana Grande, Mk.gee, and Hiatus Kaiyote. These days, I have Doechii and Wicked: The Soundtrack on constant repeat.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
As a fellow Missourian, I would love to open for Chappell Roan one day.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are so many rewarding aspects of being a musician, but by far the best part is connecting with others! Whether it’s with my collaborators during the creative process or with my listeners through the songs, it’s all incredibly meaningful. There’s no better feeling than expressing yourself in such a vulnerable way and being met exactly where you are.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is probably the 'industry' side of it all—finding funds, the need to capitalise, playing the game, time constraints, and pushing out as much content as possible. However, I don’t fully resent it; it’s what I signed up for, and it allows art to bring widespread communities together. It definitely takes grace and skill to toe the line between artistry and the business.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
One of my professors at school, Bill Banfield, gave us a lecture centred on this quote by Nina Simone: 'An artist's duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.' In such a self-centered industry, I feel grounded in the idea of music as a form of service- and my duty to delve into the truth of my experience as deeply as I can. I can’t speak on everything that’s happening in the world or represent everyone’s experience, but I can speak on my own. And in an age where we’re more similar and connected than ever, I have faith that at least one person will relate.
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Zëta Ræ's new single '24' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.