Zach Mama joins Tanner Guss to discuss decision making, moving to a new scene, digging for knowledge, cooking, and how everything we learn in life can and should influence our music.
“The wrong thing would be to play what your body tells you instead of what you’re hearing. If the telephone rings what do you do?”
Listen
Apple Podcasts • Google Play • YouTube • Spotify
Actionable Advice
- “I’m trying to make my movements and decisions intentional. Everything you do, do it slow and analyze WHY you’re doing it. If you go slow you can think, “Do I need to be playing more right now?”” Maybe you’re already playing greats ideas, but you’re just not playing them with enough intention.
- “You don’t go to Paris to be the best French speaker. Nobody cares. It’s the story that matters, no what you say.”
- “If you’re not getting better at life it’s going to take you a long time to get better at music”
- “Who created the sun? It’s for everybody. If you’re aware that you aren’t discovering anything then you can stop being frustrated and just personalize it.” Wow I really needed to hear this one. It’s a relief to let go of the pressure of innovation. Everything in music has already been said, but there’s endless fun to be had in discovering and internalizing the parts that bring you the most joy.
Coda Questions
- What’s your go to feel good album? I like music I haven’t heard before. Today that was Sidney Bechet
- Who’s a musician in your life living a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle? Shannon Powell
- What’s the best advice about happiness you’ve received? “Be the example you’re looking for” – Ralph Peterson
- What advice would you give to a young musician just starting their career? There are no careers. It’s life not a career.
- What’s you purpose as a musician? Just to learn, and communicate, and bring joy to any situation.
Also Mentioned
- Featured Track YouTube
- Zach mama Facebook, Website
- Jacobs School of Music Website
- American School of “modern” Music (Paris) Website
- Sam Ruttenberg Website
- Justin Faulkner Facebook
- University of the Arts Website
- Kurt Rosenwinkel Website
- James Brown Wiki
- Immanuel Wilkins Website
- Alex Delcourt Website
- Jake Kelberman Website