Up-and-Coming Musician ZZ Ward to Hit Pleasantville Music Festival’s Main Stage
Remember her name. ZZ Ward is new, she’s different, and she’s here to stay. She’s not like one of those dime-a-dozen pop artists that can often be found in Los Angeles. She’s brutally honest and quite frankly, not trying to fit any mold of a young singer as her career takes flight. She’s driven in a way that few other artists today are. ZZ Ward is a sort of diamond-in-the-ruff, with a sound reminiscent of a bluesy Adele with the powerhouse vocals to match.
Ward’s career is new, yet she has the voice of any seasoned singer out there. Ward’s leap from Oregon to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams did not come without resilience and drive. When asked about the early days of her career, Ward emphasizes the hard work she put in while in Eugene, Oregon, the closest major city to home. Ward knew what it would take to eventually make it in Los Angeles, and work she did.
“I would drive my 1990 golden Dodge Ram hours through rainstorms to open for rappers like Mike Jones and Bones Thugs-n-Harmony,” Ward said. “To get gas money, I would sell my music demos in parking lots and street corners on the way.”
Nine months ago Ward got signed to a record deal with Hollywood Records after she transplanted herself to Los Angeles.
“I put out a free mix tape called “Eleven Roses” in January of this year and started working on my album which comes out this September,” Ward said of her rise in the music world.
The Roseburg, Oregon native, whose moniker originates from the childhood nickname used in place of Zsuzsanna, will appear at the Pleasantville Music Festival this Saturday, July 14.
For Ward being on stage is like her life-line. “I haven’t been on stage in like a week and it’s driving me nuts,” Ward said at the time of the interview.
It’s that same fervor for all things music paired with a sultry mix of blues and soul, hip-hop, and even a bit of rap, that has skyrocketed Ward’s career in recent months. Her most popular song to date, “Til the Casket Drops” was featured in a promo for ABC Family’s hit “Pretty Little Liars.” To the delight of Ward, scores of loyal Liars fans, in most cases teenage girls and young women, have truly embraced her music.
Such exposure has brought forth a strong following of new fans, which has helped Ward’s debut EP,” Criminal,” soar on iTunes. The four song set showcases Ward’s range and talent while giving fans “a taste of what’s to come.” Listening to Ward’s quartet of songs, it becomes clear that her lyrics are genuine, her talent is great and her sound is unequivocally unique.
As for her one-of-a-kind sound, Ward explained simply, “I didn’t realize making my record that my sound was unique. I was just doing what felt right to me and making music that I loved.”
And the response from fans has made it all worth it. “Going to a city that I’ve never been to before, and having people in the front row that know all of the lyrics that I wrote, has changed my life,” Ward said.
Ward expects the next few years to be jam packed.
“I have this album coming out and another one I’m sure,” said Ward. “There will probably be another mixtape in between with a smattering of tours and some other collaborations. I have a lot to say and I don’t think that will change any time soon.”
ZZ Ward is set to take the main stage at the Pleasantville Music Festival at 2 p.m. this Saturday, July 14.
By Aileen Collins
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
