Writing straight from the heart, Here is an unapologetic song about doing what you love
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
Last year was a rollercoaster full of ups and downs for singer-songwriter Zoe Konez. But she’s taking on 2020 as a fresh start and her latest single, Here, is the result of a leap of faith to follow her heart.
After many years spent making music with children and older people in hospitals, the music charity Zoe worked for became insolvent and overnight the job the she had poured her heart into had dissolved.
Not only did it mark the end of important work using music to connect with people in difficult stages of their lives. It also left her with an unpaid void in her working week.
She decided that as a result of this, she would make the bold move to concentrate solely on her musical artistry, and Here is the uplifting result.
Happy International Women's Day!
— Zoe Konez (@zoekonez) March 8, 2020
Can I be here for you?
Are you a female/trans/non binary musician who wants to get into recording/producing your own music? Let's chat!
I'll share any experience and advice that I can.
The balance needs shifting. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/6DQDM1RWYm
Based in London, she creates layered vocals and is known for her unusual, spellbinding style of guitar-playing that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Tash Sultana.
Her new music is filled with a lust for life, a belief in positive human nature and a deep desire to connect emotionally with her listeners. From dusting off an old Appelacian dulcimer to sampling the sound of ringing glass bottles, her creativity is as intriguing and diverse as the songs she releases.
The optimism that oozes from Here is contagious and will leave you feeling encouraged and upbeat in these scary times.
Zoe said: “2019 was tough at times, but it made me realise what was meaningful to me. It was important to allocate more time to develop my own creative practice, from songwriting to production.”
“I think it’s important to be visible and open as a female, queer musician and producer. When I was growing up, I didn’t really see lesbians out front, or women in studio roles.”
“Only 2% of producers in the music industry are female, so I feel privileged to have honed my skills and be confident in my own production. It’s not the easiest field to get into, but it’s so fulfilling. I teach on a music production degree and the percentage of females is a bit higher on our course, so I hope this means things are changing. If any women want advice on how to get into the world of music production, I’m more than happy to have a chat – message me and say hi!”
Zoe recently featured on Spotify’s Influential Out Now LGBTQ playlist and she’s also one half of electronic synth-pop duo CATBEAR who we chatted to back last year. You can check out our interview here and make sure you listen to Zoe’s brand new single below. 🌈
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