Getting To Know... Zach Bellas

Following on from their highly-praised studio album 'No Questions No Answers' in 2021, Maryland-based outfit Zach Bellas now make their eagerly-awaited return to deliver their vibrant comeback single 'One More Show'.

Bringing back more of that bold and shimmering indie-rock aesthetic they are known for, 'One More Show' makes for a stellar return to form for them. With its vibrant textures, breezy atmosphere, and mesmerising vocals at the helm, they return to the fold with one of their more enjoyable efforts to date here.

So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most lately.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Guitar at a very young age. Started trying to play at age 5, but didn’t get serious about it until age 12.

What kind of music did you love when you were younger?

We all grew up on classic 60’s & 70’s rock, but the music that had the most impact would have been punk rock, mostly from the 80’s. Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys to name a few of the more influential bands

What was the first album you remember owning?

I wish I had a better answer to this, but the first album I purchased with my own money was Music for the People by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch. My favourite member of the funky bunch remains Hector the Booty Inspector. It sounds like he has a pretty cool roll in the band.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

‘Runaway’ by Del Shannon. There is not a wasted second on that song. It’s absolute perfection from start to finish and so much happens in just 2:21. It’s a masterpiece.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

Not really. A lot of our songs start as a jam in our rehearsal space. We just sort of improvise over an idea for 10 or 15 minutes and then listen back and pick out the good parts and think about where lyrics should go. That, or, the song is fully fleshed out on an acoustic guitar and then we work out how to make it a full band arrangement.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Chon, Beach House, The Police, The Clash, The Drifters, My Morning Jacket, Green Day. Kind of all over the place. A new artist we like is MJ Lenderman. He has a pretty cool sound.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Foo Fighters or Red Hot Chili Peppers.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

Making music with your friends without question followed by getting a positive result from an audience live. When people cheer in the middle of the song. That’s really cool.

And what is the most frustrating part?

Social media, at this point, is incredibly overwhelming. There are so many platforms, they all want different content, and they all want a ton of content. Musicians have to spend way too much time on this stuff.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Cut out the booze and learn to use your pinky.

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Zach Bellas' new single 'One More Show' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.