An Interview With Fashion Model Turned New Wave Artist, ZANDER BLECK!

Meet the fashion model turned new wave pop phenom Zander Bleck!  “Mercy Me” is his latest single and it is a gorgeous record rife with indie rock and electronic influences. With a spellbinding voice and vibrant charisma, Zander Bleck creates music that moves you, literally and figuratively. Zander was named “one of the most interesting and charismatic new talents” by L’Uomo Vogue on his last release.

Zander’s got a massive following on social media (60k+ on Instagram, 66k+ on Facebook) and has worked with several prolific industry people (including producer RedOne, who’s worked with the likes of Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, One Direction and Nicki Minaj).

An avant garde musician, Zander Bleck developed his love for music from an early age: with his father being a local radio DJ and a musician once signed to Millenium / RCA Records, he would often help interview musicians on his father’s local radio show. Melodies and music came naturally to him, but when he moved to New York City at age 17 with only $400 in his pocket, it was to work as a full-time international model while striving to establish himself as a musician.

Bleck had spent some time navigating the major label world when producer RedOne discovered him, calling his voice “A mixture of Jim Morrison, Bono, and Freddie Mercury” and added, “There’s no singer like that right now” (USA Today). He personally introduced him to Jimmy Iovine at Interscope who saw Zander’s incredible potential and signed him. When an executive shakeup reordered the label, Zander shifted to Capitol Records where he sat until he was finally able to free himself from the contract.

“I had to get tough or die,” Zander remembers. “It was time to be true to myself.” Social media was key. “I was getting an instant response. Rather than going through the chain, here was the artist and the audience. When I sing a song on social media the message is immediate, to thousands of people all over the world. I started dedicating myself to this connection.” That connection has led to an incredibly strong following across his socials of active and engaged fans that have patiently waited for his new music, and who have supported him every step of the way.

Learn more about Zander Bleck in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

 A:  Thank you so much for asking my questions!   I swear I’m not showing off but you actually caught me waking up on my first day on a performance trip to Dubai.  Today’s plans are to adjust my time and catch some sun with my band.

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career? What is one big goal you have for 2018?

 A: 2017 was a real turning point.  I feel a little like Mother Hen and now it’s time to harvest the wheat…  Is that how that story goes? It really was special because after a long time of not releasing any music, I was able to put two singles out and really reset the foundations of what’s to come.  I am shooting for the stars here in 2018 and if I had one goal this year it would be to go Top 20 with my song “Mercy Me,” and selling out a three thousand person venue myself.

Growing up, did you ever think that this would be the kind of life that you would have today?

 A:  Yeah, I was super fortunate to have parents who really pushed me to relentlessly chase my dreams.  I’ve never had a plan B, so I’ve never pictured my life any different. The journey I’ve taken to get here I never imagined.

Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

 A:  My earliest musical memory is hearing my dad sing in his band at my house when I was maybe 3 years old.

I would love to more about your have transitioned from being a fashion model to an artist? How do you think the one prepared you for the other? Have you been able to use any of the skills you learned as model as a musician?

 A: Male modeling was really hard work so the transition to music was… Just kidding.   I never took modeling very seriously.  It was just a lucky thing I was able to do to sustain myself to pursue music.  It definitely teaches you to be tough and how to take a good photo.

What was the inspiration for your newest single “Mercy Me”? How do you think it welcomes listeners to your sound and prepares people for more music from you? How do you think this track shows how you have grown over the years?

 A:  I wanted to write a love song to the illusive music industry.  I just made it a pretty lady.  I also wanted to make a song that was more fun because I had written some deeper more intense songs just prior.  I wanted something that was gonna make people dance and smile.  It also taps into a blend of a lot of my favorite influences.

Can you talk about your experience working with RedOne? What has it been like working with him?

 A: It was such an honor and experience working with RedOne.  It was like my college education.  He taught me a lot and I’ll always be grateful for the time we worked together

Do you have any upcoming live shows you would like to tell our readers about?

 A:  I am currently here in Dubai to play a couple events, after that I will be back in LA doing a few showcases over May!

Where do you find that you sing the most these days, in the shower, in the car, in the studio or elsewhere?

 A: It is very easy to tell if I am happy because then I am singing all the time.  All of the above is the answer.

We are living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that music is going to reflect these challenging times?

 A: You can say that again.  These really are historic times we are living in currently.  I think it will be looked at as such a wild and incredible turning point in history.  I feel so fortunate to be an artist and be able to have somewhat of a voice people listen to.   I think as my career grows I have more and more of a voice. More and more artists will be singing and speaking about matters that will reshape our future. It’s exciting.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

 A: I really listen to a ton of different music.  From world music, to electronic music, to cinematic score if I had to name 3 I’d love to work with… Hans Zimmer, Kygo and The Weeknd.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

 A: I hope to make people follow their dreams.  That is my biggest message.  Don’t give up and do everything you can to keep believing in yourself.  Make the world a better place in any way you can.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about yourself or your music?

 A: Just that I am here to stay.  Incredibly grateful to be here.  And hope to sing for each and every one of you.