Croatian-born and Berlin-based songbird/music journalist, Ariana Zustra, is going to be your favorite very, very soon. After listening to just a few of the artistic outputs from her music project called ZUSTRA, I was gripped into a dream-like state with visions of sharing philosophies on love, life and loss with this gorgeous-PJ-Harvey-like voice. I didn’t want to wake up!
A graduate from the Axel Springer Akademie and the Zeitenspiegel-Reportageschule, after completing her studies in cultural studies, sociology and media science in Tübingen, Ariana has been making the rounds within the music world on both ends — writer & artist. Her impressive resume includes Rolling Stone (German edition), the film magazine ME. Music and writing for numerous media brands like Spiegel Online, Musikexpress or t-online.de.
She told us it has become her mission to make a mark with her music, not just write about it. Without a doubt, when creating, Ariana believes in setting a mood for the listener/observer. It feels delicate, intimate and very intentional. Her voice & music truly have the capability to transport and create an experience. We are loving her songs “Make Sense” and “Copy Room” (both linked below!) and excited for her latest creation “The Words” — out very soon.
I N T E R V I E W
++ What are your earliest memories of music and/or gravitating towards it? When did you just “know” this was going to be a focus of yours?
When I was four, my family had to leave Croatia because of the Yugoslav Wars and I had trouble coping with the situation. I became anxious and rather introverted then, although I am of a cheerful nature. When I was five, my parents gave me a keyboard for Christmas. The possibility of turning feelings and thoughts into music, that is to say translating something inside of me into something on the outside, helped me to connect with the world, and cope with it. For me, being able to sing is like being able to talk. I still have that keyboard, with those comical tiny keys.
++ What have you learned about yourself as you navigate transiting from a music writing career to your own music career?
It has been a constant challenge writing my own music on one hand and judging the creative work of others on the other. Because, as an artist, I am sympathetic with the intentions of other musicians. So I really have to split myself sometimes to be able to fulfill my job as a music journalist and to stay critical. I feel like a hybrid (laughs)!
++ What have the last few years looked like for you as an artist? Talk to us about your progress and where you see 2019 (and beyond) taking you!
The first time I started to record my music was almost nine years ago while I was at university. Since then, I have been busy studying, passing two journalism schools and working in several editorial offices. I have continued to write my music, but I haven’t been able to dedicate as much time and energy as I would like. This summer, I quit my last job in order to be a freelancer which gave me the freedom to make my own hours. I am very much looking forward to recording more of the larger material I composed (in the last few years) and playing more live shows in 2019!
++ How does an idea typically form and how do you see it through? What is the creative process?
Usually, a melody arises when my mind is relaxed, mostly when I am out and about. As soon as I notice a certain catchiness in the tune, I sing or hum it into my mobile phone. The melody is almost always followed by words that come intuitively, so most of the time the topic is given and there is not much I can do about it (laughs). When I return home, I transform the idea onto my guitar or keyboard and record another rough demo on my phone. I then know the feel of the song and how I want it to be arranged. With this recording, I meet up with my drummer, Danny, to prepare a demo with his audio software. As soon as it is ready, I meet up with a producer in the studio for the final recording.
++ What keeps you grounded and true to yourself and/or your music?
I feel the most grounded when I escape or at least reduce the masses of news, opinions, noises, that rain down on us every day. In order to do so, I like to be alone from time to time, preferably riding a bike, when the only impressions are the ones of nature. This is when most of my melodies arise: by riding a bike. That is also one reason why I never listen to music when I am outside the house – it distracts me from my own melodies in my head.
++ What message do you want your audience to take away from your newest music/creations?
That is not easy for me to answer, because I do not want to predetermine anyone’s feelings. I can only say that I have noticed that my music is a lot about connection: to someone else’s mind or body, to nature, and/or to life. So if there is at least one person in this world who can find something in my music to feel more understood, less alone, as well as inspired to think or feel more or differently than before, I would be a very lucky human being.
++ We are excited to learn more about your new track entitled “The Words”! How’s the video progressing?
The video will be shot in a couple of days, and should hopefully be edited by the end of November. “The Words” is a song I wrote almost three years ago, so I am very excited to finally be able to release it into the wild! I wrote it when I felt disillusioned because in that moment it seemed to me that it is not about what people do, but about what they say, all in all. You could make a person fall in love with you or get anyone to do pretty much anything that you want just by using certain words. Three years later I noticed the lyrics have a disturbingly current political spin to them.
++ What aspects of the industry have been the most challenging and rewarding for you?
Definitely managing high expectations with a low budget. The paradox that in order to get the opportunity to play shows, you have to possess a fanbase; but to build a fanbase, you have to play shows. In the old days, record labels supported and built an artist, whereas today it is required that you be a product pretty much already shaped. Unless you have the money to pay a manager, booker and promoter, you have to do everything yourself like a one-man company. But it is very rewarding to upload a new piece of work despite all those difficulties and see how you made it anyway.
++ What’s the one misconception people might have about your music and/or artistic voice? Have you ever felt misunderstood?
I remember, a couple of years ago, one colleague mockingly asked me whether I had only become a music journalist because I had not yet become famous with my own music. He is known for his oftentimes disrespectful behavior anyway, but I still felt snubbed about his thinking in clichés. I love music and I wanted to approach it from all angles to be able to learn about the industry as much as possible. It’s a pity that for some it is hard to understand that people can be more than one thing at the same time.
++ What insights and/or advice would you give to someone wanting to be where you are today?
Everyone always says “Never give up!” True dat! I have always been making music, but there have been times where I felt like I don’t get the opportunity to do it the way I want to (because of the lack of time or money or exposure). Then, indeed, nothing does happen for some time, months, maybe years even. You have to accept that. But the thing is: If your dream or your desire is inevitable, inescapable, it will never die. That is what it means to really keep going.
++ If you could collaborate with any artist/in any genre, who and what would it be? Living and past if possible, please!
I deeply respect the American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Andrew Bird for his versatility and profoundness. Though I look up to his talent so much, I probably would be tongue-tied if I was able to share a stage with him (laughs). And, it would be otherworldly to have Arca produce one of my songs.
++ What upcoming music/creators are you enjoying at the moment?
A year ago I saw a live video performance by Belgian singer-songwriter Tamino and was instantly haunted by his intensity. Same holds for Josin. Also, I am in love with the playfulness of Cosmo Sheldrake. Right now I listen to “Club Paradise” by Novaa on heavy rotation: highly hymnal and very promising.
++ Where can our readers learn more about you and your music? Give us the deets on any additional upcoming and exciting news!
Follow my Instagram account @zustra_music as well as my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ZUSTRA.music! Looks like there will be a big show in Berlin sometime in December & presumably a smaller, cozy one as well. Neither date is 100% confirmed yet, so stay tuned![/vc_column_text]