Zach Loizou has already lived a number of pop lifetimes. First, as a member of British boyband Right here At Final, he helped soundtrack a technology of on-line fandoms with emotionally charged, harmony-led pop that thrived in each on-line and onstage. Now, stepping totally into his personal as a solo artist, Loizou is buying and selling group dynamics for one thing extra private – songwriting that feels lived-in, weak, and unafraid to sit down with the messier corners of rising up within the public eye.
On this dialog with CelebMix, Zach opens up in regards to the transition from band member to solo storyteller, the inventive freedom that comes with beginning over, and the way his sound has advanced since his Right here At Final days. Reflective with out being nostalgic, he speaks candidly about identification, stress, and the fun of creating music that feels unmistakably his.
How did you are feeling when Right here At Final got here to an finish – and the way lengthy did it take earlier than you felt prepared to maneuver ahead by yourself?
Okay, so although we formally completed working collectively in the summertime of 2024, we truly first made the choice to finish the band just a few months earlier than that… however we purposefully didn’t inform anyone simply in case we modified our minds (laughs). So yeah, we’d had fairly a little bit of time to get our heads across the adjustments that have been about to come back, however even then, it nonetheless took me a very good 4 or 5 months to determine what I needed to do subsequent.
Was there ever a second the place you questioned persevering with in music, or did going solo really feel inevitable?
If I’m being completely sincere, once we first broke up, I actually wasn’t into the concept of releasing music alone. I used to be pondering I’d go extra into the manufacturing aspect of issues as a result of that was one thing I’d carried out a variety of once I was within the band, and at all times loved it. There was a tune we had referred to as ‘Peculiar Life’ that me, Tommy and Ryan labored on collectively that had carried out very well, so I felt like that might have been a very good profession transfer (for me) going ahead. I additionally thought of getting again into performing as a result of that’s what I did rising up. However yeah… I don’t know, I simply couldn’t see myself doing the solo factor.
What made you assume a solo profession wasn’t the correct path for you at the moment?
I actually favored my function within the band! I loved being one among 5, and feeling like I used to be a part of a staff. We have been all in it collectively, if one thing went improper or didn’t work out how we’d hoped, we had one another to fall again on. After which when issues did go effectively, it was much more thrilling, as a result of we have been in a position to share these highs as a 5. Figuring out I wouldn’t perhaps have that anymore made the considered going it alone appear extra daunting.
Was there a second or expertise that helped you realise you have been able to step out on our personal musically?
It was truly a man referred to as Stuart Brock who instructed I give it a go! Stuart used to do the sound and manufacturing for all of Right here At Final’s dwell reveals – he’s wonderful, and somebody all of us nonetheless work with somewhat bit right here and there. He simply stated to me someday: “hear, you’ve bought nothing to lose! If issues don’t work out, and the music fails to attach with individuals, then no-one will know. But when it really works out, you then’ll be doing one thing you’re keen on for the remainder of your life!” So I wrote just a few songs, actually loved the method, after which ended up being the primary one of many band to launch a single, which is senseless as a result of like I stated, I used to be the one who actually didn’t wish to go solo (laughs).
How did stepping away from a band dynamic change the way in which you perceive your self as an artist?
It took me a minute to determine who I used to be each as an artist, and as an individual away from the opposite boys – and I believe they’d all agree and say the identical! As weird because it sounds, for us, the truth is, we spent the start of our grownup lives in a boyband (laughs). You realize, the years the place most individuals are on the market discovering themselves, we spent them collectively. We have been tremendous shut, and clearly nonetheless are, so all of us sort of moulded into the identical character and have become like one particular person. Once you dwell that method you’re probably not pondering for your self. I used to be 17 once I joined the band, and 23 when it completed, so I clearly modified, and grew up so much in that point. Popping out the opposite aspect you begin to ask your self extra questions like, how do I wish to costume? How I wish to act? What type of music do I wish to make now? And it’s an ongoing factor making an attempt to determine who you’re, and who you wish to be. However I like that, I like that issues are perpetually altering.
Naughty Boys (Official Efficiency Video)
How does writing alone examine to writing as a part of a bunch – do you are feeling extra uncovered, or extra free?
I’d say a little bit of each (laughs). There’s a lot extra stress on you once you’re by yourself, particularly relating to writing and looking for your sound. You are feeling like you need to actually decide to a sure type and picture immediately so that individuals get a really feel for who you’re away out of your band. Like I stated earlier than, I at all times actually loved the writing course of, and being concerned within the manufacturing of songs, in order that half was advantageous alone. However when it got here to deciding to singles to launch, that was arduous.
Did you are feeling such as you wanted to separate your self from the music you’d made previously, to make sure that you have been creating and providing one thing new to your viewers?
Yeah undoubtedly. Once you come from a boyband it may be arduous to maneuver away from the picture that you just’re recognized for. Don’t get me improper, I nonetheless love that a part of my life, and I don’t look down on it in any respect, however shifting ahead into this subsequent part of my profession I undoubtedly needed to do one thing totally different. Musically I used to be eager to undertake a bit extra of a cooler, mature sound – what that might be precisely I wasn’t positive immediately, however I knew it was going to be guitar centered, and fewer out and out pop. My first single ‘Naughty Boys’ has form of develop into was ‘Tongue’ was to Right here At Final. It was a tune that made a press release. It wasn’t essentially the sound or type I used to be going to pursue longterm, nevertheless it bought individuals’s consideration, and that’s what I needed.
A lot of your latest solo releases really feel very private – was {that a} aware resolution, or one thing that naturally occurred?
All people writes otherwise, and has a distinct technique or format they like to stay to. For me, I really feel it’s vital that there’s at all times a component of fact in what I’m writing and singing about. I benefit from the course of extra once I’m saying one thing that I can personally relate to. Clearly you need to exaggerate sure issues, and add in little particulars, however the essence of the songs I’ve launched to this point are primarily based on true tales and are very, very private to me.
Do you at all times like to put in writing from actuality, and actual life experiences, or do you’ve the flexibility to put in writing from creativeness too?
Actuality all the way in which… however with somewhat little bit of creativeness. And I truly assume my new single is the right instance of that. ‘Monday’ is 100% primarily based on a real story, however to make it sound extra emotive and conversational, I’ve switched up a number of the narrative. So within the opening line I say: “I met this lady on the underground”, and I didn’t truly meet her on the underground, however I felt by saying that, it created extra of a romantic feeling and made it sound extra movie-like. The truth is we met in a bar, which was actually simply as romantic, however placing it in a tune, I felt like setting our first assembly on the underground sounded higher (laughs).
Inform me extra about ‘Monday’…
I co-wrote it with Ryan from the band, and it’s about a kind of on and off relationships that you just by no means appear to have the ability to get proper, however nonetheless you are feeling compelled to attempt once more with the hope that someday all of it works out. The lady within the tune I’ve recognized for about 4 years now, however I by no means ever, ever, ever thought I’d write about her, or any of the issues we went via, however randomly someday Ryan stated: “we should always write about this”, so we did (laughs). It’s very detailed oriented, and I believe lots of people will have the ability to relate to it. Trying deeper into the idea, I’d say lyrically it’s about discovering your twin flame, and exploring the invisible string concept the place you are feeling such as you’re at all times related to somebody, and intertwined of their lives, and the way all of that performs out in the long term. It was an vital relationship in my life, so I’m excited for individuals to listen to it.
Musically how would you say this tune differs out of your earlier singles?
It’s undoubtedly totally different to something I’ve launched previously – it has a really relaxed, chilled vibe to it. Aside from the acoustic model of ‘Naughty Boys’, I’ve not put out a ballad or a mid-tempo monitor, it’ll be fascinating to see what everybody thinks…
This will probably be your fifth solo launch, has the method of placing out music by yourself gotten simpler?
I’d say it feels extra pure now than it did at first. The thrill you get within the lead up by no means adjustments, fortunately the stress does (laughs). How so? Properly, it’s sort of like I stated earlier than, me and boys all put a variety of stress on ourselves surrounding the discharge of our first singles… stress that I don’t assume was actually needed. However now, issues are a bit extra chilled, and in a humorous method placing out music has develop into a bit like posting a video or content material on socials, it’s simply part of what I do.
How has performing dwell modified now that the highlight is solely on you?
I can’t lie, it’s felt surreal being on stage alone – primarily as a result of it’s one thing I’m not used to. After I was youthful, I did a variety of musical theatre stuff – I used to be in Oliver and The Sound of Music – that are clearly large ensemble productions. Then being within the band, I used to be surrounded by 4 different lads all the time, so performing solo isn’t one thing I’ve skilled so much. However I’m getting used to it, and studying to get pleasure from it extra.
Final 12 months you performed your first headline present on the o2 Academy2 in Islington – which was a HUGE success! Demand for tickets was excessive, that the venue needed to be upgraded…
I do know, that was psychological! My authentic concept was to placed on somewhat present to form of check the waters, and ease myself into performing solo, so to then be advised we have been going to have to vary venues attributable to excessive demand and the quantity of individuals wanting to come back… I couldn’t consider it! Once you’re in a band, you are feeling prefer it’s ‘the band’ that sells the tickets, not the person members, so that you don’t ever actually take into consideration the opportunity of anyone eager to see you carry out by yourself. Seeing my title and the phrases ‘SOLD OUT’ subsequent to it outdoors the venue was insane!
Discuss to me in regards to the present itself!
Have you learnt what, I don’t actually keep in mind being on stage (laughs). The entire day and evening was a whole adrenaline rush! However I completely cherished it! Seeing all of these individuals present up for me was an enormous confidence enhance – individuals travelled from God is aware of the place, simply to see ME! What’s that about? (Laughs). The entire Right here At Final boys got here alongside to which was wonderful, I actually appreciated their help. It was simply an unimaginable evening, and possibly the primary time that I felt like a reputable solo artist in my very own proper.
What have you ever realized in regards to the music business via this transition that you just didn’t know earlier than?
That it’s okay to lose issues, as a result of there are at all times different stuff you’ll acquire. That change is sweet, and utterly okay. To not panic in unhealthy moments, as a result of they are going to at all times finish. And to benefit from the good moments too as a result of they don’t at all times final both. Typically as individuals we worry issues going improper or not understanding, however I’m realising that we will actually blossom after going via arduous occasions and difficult experiences, since you develop so much from the struggles you face. I at all times say, chase the great, and get via the unhealthy.
Has being solo made you extra hands-on with selections – visually, creatively, or business-wise?
Yeah I’d say so, nevertheless it’s additionally vital to say that within the band, we have been at all times allowed to be ourselves and really concerned in all the pieces we did. So it’s not like swiftly I’m discovering myself making all of those selections and calling the photographs (laughs). The principle distinction now could be that I don’t have to consider what anybody else is doing, or issue of their ideas about issues.
What excites you most in regards to the future?
It most likely sounds loopy, however not figuring out what the longer term seems like excites me. Something can occur on this business – one tune, one video can change your life utterly, so you need to be prepared for if, and when, that second comes! Within the meantime, I’m simply excited to maintain on doing what I’m doing. There’s undoubtedly extra music on the way in which, and I wish to do extra dwell performing, so everyone be careful for that…
Zach Loizou’s new single ‘Monday’ is obtainable to pre-order right here.
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