Zadeh‘s professional music career began in 2005 when she became the front singer for the Canadian Dance Band TAPPS whose song “My Forbidden Lover” went on to become one of the best selling Hi-NRG records worldwide reaching the #2 spot single in Holland on the dance chart. 

For 13 years, Zadeh toured with the band that was part of her childhood musical backdrop.  In 2018, Zadeh left the band to pursue a solo music career.  As she candidly stated,

It was a wild and fun ride but I felt it was limiting my own unique artistic expression.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Maryam Zadeh about her music, technology, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I am from Los Angeles, California. I can’t say at this time I am creating a certain style of music. At the moment, I am inspired by sounds from the late 60’s, early 70’s. I am into retro music and nothing that’s current.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

I started watching a lot of documentaries on artists from the 60’s and 70’s and that lead me down a path to create music inspired from that time. I am in the experimental stage of my music and it’s hard for me to classify into one music genre.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

My release of “Wild Child” is a cover song from The Doors. Jim Morrison has been influential in helping me find my own singing voice. I discovered the “sweet spot” of my own singing voice with this song.

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

It has been overwhelming finding a strategy to promote my music on the internet. There are so many social media platforms and internet radio stations and it feels like my music is being thrown in “internet quicksand”. I have decided that scarcity is better so I am using You Tube and my website as the place where people can discover me. On the other hand, the internet gives you access to important people in the music industry that you would not be able to connect so easily with 30 years ago.

What was the last song you listened to?

White Queen by Queen

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s? Vinyl!

Its retro and I love the smell of new records when you take them out of the cover.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I like YouTube the best. I feel visual presentation is just as important as the music especially when people are first discovering an artist.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

YouTube and my website. www.maryamzadeh.com

Anything else before we sign off?

Thank you for your support in promoting indie artists as myself.