Middle Tennessee native, Zean Otey has been blowing minds with his music for a while now and it’s been a thrill to walk with him during his journey! Zean just released a new tune on Monday the 22 of Feb and we thought it would be a good idea to catch up in advance. It’s just down the page a bit if ya want to hear it 🙂
Bret– “You’ve been busy lately! This is the second song you’ve sent us in two months, has there been an explosion in song-writing at Zean’s house?”
Zean– “Yes I have been very busy, and there has been an “explosion” of sorts! The wild thing tho is that all of what I’m releasing is what’s been back logged for the past few months and even years. It’s only been about 3 years since I decided to be serious about pursuing a professional career in music. During the first 10 months or so was a learning curve session where I had to educate, consider, then decide on direction. Direction in terms of, what’s my style(in writing, and typical guitar presentation), sound, stage ‘gittiup’ and and everything with that…then the business aspect. The subsequent months till now were where I tweek’d and added on top of everything with more attention to detail. Now I’m finally able to ‘let it all out’…meanwhile, new material is anxiously waiting its turn, haha!
(while you’re reading…here’s that brand new tune, “Would They”) By the way, grab your copy right here, http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/zeanotey4
Bret– Speaking of houses… somewhere in here, you’ll have to fill us in on that “little” project you’ve got going…
Zean– -Oh yes! My little house-for those that don’t know, is a 16×24 mansion which I am building where I will be able to hide and create…at random!! This beauty is placed in a discreet, wooded setting fashioned from blueprints that only have existed in my head; it’s a miracle that it stands!! Even my 90 year old grandmother-when she came to inspect said, “Zemie, let me see if this thing will fall down if I push on it!” Needless to say, I am carrying on a legacy decades old in following after my grandfather and father in building homes; it’s basically in my blood; she knows I have it in me!!!
The process is moving along quite well. A little over half way…Sorry, don’t want to disclose too much about it because I will be releasing a mini-series on YouTube where I will give its history and current updates on the progress.
Bret– “Has getting your hands dirty building your own place given you any sort of different perspective or thoughts in your writing?”
Zean– “Well, in building a house there are steps that come first-and must be so-because if neglected, there can be dire consequences that will ensue!!! I took the object lessons I have learned from building my house and applied them to songwriting and all aspects of building a career. In songwriting, I have become much more constructively critical of my seasoned techniques; I’ve since have found it easier for me to conceptualize the building blocks in my own writing process from start to finish with a clear picture, and from multiple angles. This helps me with translating what I’m feeling into audible chords and melodies and to also choose the most accurate phrasings when it comes to my style in lyric structures.” Just an example.
Bret– “Any new techniques, instruments, etc working their way into your music?”
Zean– “Yes! One technique I am mastering; not going crazy will all that’s going on!! …oh, that’s not an answer…what am I thinking! Really tho, I have been working solely with the instruments I already know and try to diversify my approaches in tackling new ways to describe ideas in my songs using the instrument. For instance, a lot of my songs aren’t descriptive enough just utilizing using words, melody, and chord choice to convey an idea. So to be able to help with this, I might use an irregular note length or an odd note outside of the key signature. But not so obvious that you can pick it out, really. But using subtlety to convey my idea without really disrupting the flow of the song. In example, somewhat, is the fill lead in “Would They”. The 16th note picked isn’t supposed to be there…but it belongs. By the way, yes…it isn’t subtle. Hahahaha”
Bret– “How are you finding the time to build a house, work a job, and make music?”
(My answer)-“Patiently. It’s hard. It really is. But I keep on.”
Bret– “Got any shows coming up soon? What’s in the plan for the near future?”
Zean– “Any shows…not that I have planned. Right now I am mainly pushing all of my energy toward getting together a repertoire on iTunes and multiple other digital distribution institutions. I can pull from such a bank which will act somewhat as a reservoir. Then present them in multiple ways to my audience as a coping mechanism to keep things fresh even if it’s a song of mine they already have heard and know. Which, by the way is a way that I introduce different dimensions of a song to people which deepens the relationship with it and understanding of it. Also, I will use the same songs to make videos where I can buy time to record and produce my album this fall and winter.”
Bret– “What about social media? Has it been helping your efforts? Tried anything new, lately?”
Zean – [ed. follow Zean at TSU and if you sign up, the “shortcode” is “Neon_Zean”] “Yes. Social media has been a super helpful medium to send my message out there and my music. Wow! First of all, I’d like to shout out to Tsū for all of the tremendous love my family there has showed me. I’d like to include also my good friend and colleague Rev. Bret Campbell (@JediBret on Tsū) for his undying commitment to his love for good music and its sincere expression to hearers that are hungry for something authentic and much needed in this current age. Also to great friends like Aaron Young (@AaronYoung on Tsū) And Jerry with his charity “I Am Viral Change” (@IamVC_Viral_Change_Clothing on Tsū) and many more. I’ve met, and befriended some great, good people.
I have just recently been a little bit more active on Twitter posting up to six times a day just really anything. This shows me what people will respond to, and what they will not. I’m still trying to identify my target audience I guess. The responses I receive back are very diverse; and I always find myself surprised at the way my expressions affect people. I think that is the most enjoyable part of what I do…connecting. When I was younger-starting out kind of feeling around with the idea of being an artist, I hated it. I had no idea who people are; because I didn’t know who I was. But, after I took a few more steps in my own journey, I’ve come to appreciate the community which surrounds me more and more.”
For me, happiness isn’t found in that I exist another day, no. It comes when I have a sense of purpose and I’m actively fulfilling it.
