Jeremy Zucker FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Jeremy Zucker x FAULT Magazine

Photographer: Josh Telles

Stylist: Marc Eram

Words: Miles Holder

Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented singer-songwriter, Jeremy Zucker. With his heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies, Jeremy Zucker has won the hearts of fans worldwide. His latest track, “OK,” has struck a chord with listeners, delivering a powerful message of support and compassion. We’ll delve into the inspiration behind the song, Jeremy’s writing process, and the hurdles he’s overcome in his musical journey. Jeremy Zucker This is all your FAULT.

All right. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your new track?

“Okay” is a song I wrote for somebody who was going through a difficult time in their life. They opened up to me and shared how much they were struggling. I didn’t know what to do except to let them know that I was there for them. A couple of weeks later, I was in London working on a session with Two Inch Punch and Artemis. As I started writing, the words just flowed out, and I realized it was about that situation. When I wrote the chorus, I brought in Alexander 23 to help me, and that’s when I fully understood what the song was about. It’s about being there for someone and letting them know that you’ll support them no matter what, and that you’re there to help them through their struggles.

You’ve performed OK a few times for live audiences and it looks like you pour your all into it every time – do you ever feel emotionally exhausted from leaving so much on the stage?

Sometimes I do, but it depends on how good the show is. The better the show, the more energized I feel at the end. Even if I put everything into my performance, it’s cathartic, and I feel a sense of relief. Leading up to a show, I may feel anxious and quiet, but the moment I step off stage, I’m filled with joy and excitement. It’s an incredible feeling. “Okay” was a song that I wasn’t sure would come out initially. I wrote most of it with Two Inch Punch and Artemis, and we had the foundation for the production, as well as the verses and pre-chorus. We had written a darker and angsty chorus, but it didn’t resonate with me. I tried rewriting it a few times and even brought in my friend Sophie Kates to help, but it still wasn’t right. I was on the verge of giving up and handing it over to songwriters when I decided to call Alexander and see if we could revive it. We wrote the chorus together immediately, and it felt perfect and natural.

Did your writing process change at all for this track when compared to your previous releases?

This was an unusual process for me. Normally, if something doesn’t come naturally, I would give up, unless it’s a song that’s so special that my team insists I finish it. I value their input because a song doesn’t exist only for me; it exists in the space between everyone’s experiences with it. I’m open to critiques, but ultimately, I rely on my own intuition and feelings.

When it comes down to your songwriting, are you regimented with your process or do you let inspiration hit whenever?

Inspiration can strike at any time, but these days, I’m so busy that when I finally sit down to make music, I’m overflowing with ideas because I’ve been engaged in various activities unrelated to music, such as business matters, touring, and promotional work. So when I finally have a moment alone in my studio, I’m not necessarily fixated on specific ideas, but I’m excited to create something new.

The music industry can move so quickly, do you ever find yourself caught up in the rush to release and if so, how do you stay grounded?

The music industry may seem fast-paced from the outside, but internally, it can be slow-moving, which can make me anxious as I want things to happen quickly. However, the slower pace allowed me to work on new music after finishing the EP, which alleviated some of the pressure.

When you look back on your musical journey, what’s been the most challenging hurdle you’ve had to overcome?

I put immense pressure on myself to succeed and had to learn to accept myself for who I am and not try to be someone else. Being an artist is difficult, and there’s a sense of the artist’s curse, where it’s challenging to enjoy what you create while others can. It’s a twisted dynamic. However, I’ve worked hard to rediscover the joy in what I do because once it became a business, it became stressful. I have to consciously make an effort every day to keep it fun for myself.

What would you say was the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make in regards to your music?

The toughest decision I’ve made regarding my music was a couple of summers ago when I was hesitant about releasing a song called “Super Cuts.” My team loved it and wanted me to put it out, but I wasn’t sure if it aligned with the sonic direction I wanted to take. Eventually, after many discussions, I convinced myself and released it. It turned out to be one of my favorite songs to perform live, and I’m glad I made that decision. Shoutout to Tyler for convincing me!

You’ll be playing in Honolulu this summer – can you share your best story from your time touring?

As for my best touring memory, I’ve had the opportunity to tour in some incredible places, but my fondest memories are from my headline tours in Asia. I’ve done it twice, and it has been absolutely amazing both times. However, I have a bad habit of forgetting which city, state, or country I’m in. Lately, we’ve resorted to printing the location on a piece of paper and placing it on the stage floor to avoid any mix-ups. It can be embarrassing, and maybe it’s my FAULT.

What is your FAULT?

Fixating on minute details that may seem insignificant to others but matter a lot to me. Following my instincts regarding these details has been beneficial, but sometimes I take it to the extreme. This tendency is evident in my music, which features specific sounds and requires attentive listening to fully appreciate. Fans enjoy this aspect, but it can be a drawback when it takes me months to finish a song because I obsess over these details. Nevertheless, it’s part of what makes me unique, so it’s both a fault and a superpower.