For 18-year-old singer-songwriter, Zola Simone, music is much more than just a passion; it’s a way to make sense of the world and move through the ever-changing conditions of life. Her sound blends indie, pop, and R&B.
At such a young age, Simone has already learned the importance of her individuality. She is not afraid to unapologetically express herself as an artist through her music and her aesthetic.
Hailing from Boston, Simone has built a fanbase around the New England area and has already sold out her first concert as a headliner. With collaborators such as three-time Boston Music Awards “Producer of The Year,” The Arcitype, Simone continues to evolve her sound and produce music that refreshes the industry.
How long have you been creating your art?
My own original music I started writing on GarageBand around 3rd grade, nothing spectacular, but I started getting serious about it [a few years later], when I wrote and performed my first good original song. My first original song that I recorded was at 12, and that’s when things started getting to a more professional level.
Where are you from? How does that influence your art?
I was born in Brooklyn, but lived in the Boston area pretty much my whole life. There’s a lot of great local musicians, but one [person] I was introduced to at a young age became a big part of my childhood. Melissa Ferrick was a family friend, who really helped me turn my love of music into more than just a hobby. My mom took me to her concerts and I’d even get up on stage and sing with her. Now that I’m older and my taste has evolved. My current producer The Arcitype has submerged me into the Boston hip-hop scene. I’ve discovered a lot of great hip-hop acts in the city, like STL GLD, Michael Christmas, Token, and Dutch Rebelle just to name a few.
What are you currently working on or recently finished?
I’m currently wrapping up my debut album Now You See Me. I’ve been working on it since February 2020. It’s my life’s work (so far) and I’m so damn proud of it. I feel like it’s definitely the best work I’ve ever done and really came from the heart. I put all of myself into it, and worked harder on it than anything before. I hope the world loves it as much as I do.
What is your inspiration? And why?
My inspiration is my life: experiences, feelings, struggles, loves, and passions. I have songs with topics ranging from mental health struggles, to gentrification, to my favorite TV show. It’s just everything and anything. But it’s all me.
Why is music important to the queer community?
Music is so important to all marginalized communities, it always has been, all throughout history. It’s a way to bring people together, it’s universal but also can be so subjective and special. To the queer community, music is important because it’s joy. It’s really that simple, music is joy.
What do you hope to achieve as an artist?
Continue to express myself, continue to grow, and to reach people through my music. I want to be able to make this my profession and make a living doing it. That would be awesome.
Top 3 Major Influences.
Jon Bellion, Taylor Swift, and P!nk.
How can we all support your work, talent and gift?
Stream my music and videos, come to shows, and most importantly spread and share my music! I want to reach as many people as possible and the best way to do that is through word of mouth and social media. So if you love it, show some love.
