Zedd Opens Up: Why He's A Better DJ Sober & How Music Became His Therapy

Zedd elaborates on his approach to music as an avenue for personal expression and therapy rather than a quest for fame or commercial success.

Zedd makes music as a form of personal expression and therapy, not to achieve fame or commercial success

Anton Zaslavski, known professionally as Zedd, explains that making music has been his way of communicating emotion since his childhood, relaying feelings to others through notes and melodies. He discloses that he makes music for himself and enjoys the liberty of creating pieces that carry personal importance without the pressure of chasing commerciality. With a supportive fan base, he has the luxury of producing work that can veer away from mainstream expectations.

Zedd has been making music since he was a child, using it as a way to communicate his emotions through notes, chords, and melodies rather than words

Zaslavski describes his creative process as instinctive and often spontaneous. He sits behind a piano and lets his fingers roam freely over the keys, creating sounds that resonate with him, leading to the birth of new musical ideas without a predefined plan. This process, he explains, involves a state of 'zoning out' where his hands seemingly have a mind of their own.

Zedd's goal is to make music that fulfills his own artistic vision, not to chase trends or cater to algorithms

Zedd's primary intention is to stay true to his own artistic vision, a sentiment echoed by Rick Rubin who advises creating music for oneself rather than an audience. Zaslavski prefers to work with artists who inspire him personally rather than targeting the most popular figures for the sake of commercial appeal. He holds the philosophy that he creates for the act of creation itself and not to comply with fleeting trends or platform algorithms.

Zedd respects collaborations that are meaningful to him and values authentic artistic expression over trending hashtags or viral potential. An example he provides is a song made with Max Martin, which may be better suited for another artist if it does not align with his current trajectory. Even during the pandemic, he sought out and collaborated with the Irish ...

The internationally celebrated DJ and producer Zedd expresses his surprise and deep appreciation for the personal stories of impact his music has on listeners. Despite creating music focused on personal expression, he is humbled by the fact that his work serves as a source of healing and connection for many.

Zedd is surprised and humbled to learn that his music has had a healing and transformative effect on his listeners

Zedd acknowledges a significant and unexpected role his music plays in people's lives. From helping listeners meet life partners to providing stress relief or guiding them through challenges, Zedd is taken aback by these revelations. Despite not consciously considering the impact on others during the creation process, Zedd finds that his focus on personal therapy translates to a healing and supportive experience for his audience.

His approach to making music remains child-like in its essence, reflective of the pure satisfaction drawn from tinkling on the piano and recording melodies, much like when he began exploring music. Zedd is deeply moved to discover that his creations become integral to life-changing moments, such as a couple's first dance at their wedding. Knowing the significance his music holds for fans, in turn, has a restorative effect on him, highlighting a reciprocal relationship between the artist and his audience.

During an album signing and a meet and greet, Zedd connected with fans on a personal level as they shared their individual narratives linked to his songs. These anecdotes of strong and personal connections with his music reinforce not only the depth of his impact but also the fulfillment he derives from such interactions. In a particularly memorable instance, a longtime fan's story inspired Zedd to tailor his set-list to include an early track titled "Zelda," demonstrating his appreciation for fan dedication.

Zedd believes his music taps into a universal human desire to connect and share emotional experiences

At Zedd's li ...

Anton Zaslavski, known professionally as Zedd, opens up about the personal and professional challenges that come with fame and success in the music industry, addressing issues of self-doubt, audience connection, and self-care.

Zedd has grappled with self-doubt and insecurity as his online engagement metrics have shifted over time

Zedd was initially concerned that declining social media metrics could signal a loss of relevance or popularity, until he realized those numbers don't necessarily reflect real-world engagement

While discussing his career, Zedd talks about the unease he felt when his social media engagement began to decline. He speaks candidly about questioning himself, worried that lower numbers indicated he was doing something wrong or becoming less relevant. Lewis Howes, relating to the feeling of doubt in the industry, asks Zedd about this experience. Zedd describes a significant drop in likes and comments and the effect on his ticket sales, as fewer people would see his posts about shows. This decline led to confusion among his fans, who were sometimes unaware of his events.

However, Zedd had a realization: despite being at the "lowest point of engagement possible" on social media, his tours were more successful than ever. This contrast illuminated a disconnect between social media visibility and actual fan support, leading him to reassess the importance of fleeting social media trends and algorithms, and reinforce his focus on the direct feedback and support from his true fans. He recognized that personal interactions were more valuable than what social media portrayals suggested.

Zedd has learned not to place too much importance on fleeting social media trends and algorithms, and instead focus on the direct feedback and support he receives from his fans

Zedd explains that social media metrics often reflect the whims of changing algorithms more than they do genuine engagement or relevance. He warns against artists' overreliance on these metrics, suggesting that it might lead them to prioritize viral content over original artistic expression. Through personal experience, he realized that while people might not actively 'like' his content, they show up in real life to his events. This affirmed the value of real-world engagement over the façade of social media performance.

Zedd has been proactive about maintaining his health and well-being amid the demands of a successful music career

Zedd previously relied on alcohol as a crutch for managing nerves and connecting with audiences, until he realized he could achieve the same energy and performance quality without it

Zedd candidly shares his past reliance on alcohol, initially used as a way to manage nerves and connect with the audience. He confides that he would drink before, during, and after shows, fearing he couldn't perform without it. After soberly performing a show in Vegas due to calorie restrictions, he realized that the natural adrenaline and connection with the audience provi ...