An Inspired Chat with Emily Zuzik of Northeast Los Angeles

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Emily Zuzik. Check out our conversation below.

Emily, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. One can always be smart and one can have great energy, but I believe, having integrity to believe truly, speak with confidence and stand by your word and deed is of the utmost importance. There’s a lot of grifting going on these days and true character is something that stands out most to me. I can’t stand people “with no there, there.” When you have to ask yourself who a person really is because their beliefs or opinions keep shifting, steer clear!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Emily Zuzik. I’m a singer, songwriter, and live performer based in Los Angeles. I’ve been working in the music industry for over 20 years. I’ve sung in bands, recorded and cowritten with artists in multiple genre, sung theme songs for TV, produced music videos and publicized musical events for charity. My songs have appeared in TV and film. I just released my latest recording, an EP called age + alchemy, last May and have a new holiday song and video cowritten with Santa Ynez songwriter Robbie Kaye called Oh Oh Santa, that came out on Nov. 14.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that needed to be a touring rock star. I have lived a lot of lives as a performing songwriter. I’ve been on planes, trains, my trusty RAV4, subways, etc. I’ve seen a lot of the world and met great people in odd places. The desire to do that continually has left me. I’ve felt tired and underinspired lately. But I know the process reveals itself in personal transformation if you give it time and space. I started clearing my schedule and taking on less this year in particular. While I’ve been seeing my commitments through, I have been very selective about future projects and events. I’m releasing what I thought I needed to be in order to live up to what I thought would be endgame for me. As I made space, I felt lighter. It’s as if the burden I began to feel has lifted from my shoulders. There are new things brewing for me and I’m very excited to see what is next.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It’s not a race. You don’t need to hustle all the time. There is as much growth and joy to be had by slowing down and being present. You gain insight on the world and people. Kindness will always be a better way to lead than arrogance or cutthroat.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies and cruelest message my industry sells is that youth and sexuality are the most valued possessions that young female artists have.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m quiet in nature on my own. There’s something about hearing the wind through leaves on trees or water over rocks in a stream that almost slow time. It forces you to be there. And when I can turn off the voices in my head and really focus on being silent, I can hear all the things that are like a heartbeat of the planet. I feel connected to the earth and part of a much larger entity. I get rightsized and lose the anxiety of keeping up or missing out. I’m exactly where I need to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilyzuzik.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyzuzik
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyzuzik/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emily.zuzik.music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ezuzik
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/emilyzuzik
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BJD3L45vd1fuYjAa4P7It
  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/emily-zuzik/4264969
  Bandcamp: emilyzuzik.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Selfies and various friends who are not photographers for live shots.