zac, the vampire On the Making Of “additive”
What was the creative process like for this particular "additive?"
I wrote the first version about 3 years ago during the pandemic, when I used to listen to Lil Peep and Death Cab for Cutie. I think you can hear their influence on this particular track. Back then, I was really struggling with lyrics as I never tried to write any before. It’s funny how one morning I just woke up and the lyrics were randomly flowing into my mind, and that’s when I recorded my first full demo.
It was only in October 2023 when I got to record the song in a studio, but I’m happy I finally released it! The single also comes with a short piano track, which sounds like an old tape record. It’s pretty eerie!
”additive” is a tale about someone who realizes that their relationship has become toxic, and it’s mostly inspired by other people’s stories. Ironically, I’ve never been in a relationship myself, despite having a few romantic experiences in the past.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "additive?"
At first, the song was in a lower key and it had a slower bpm. It was a bit too low for my vocals, so I had to go 2 full steps higher.
I also decided to change the chorus, to bring more energy to it. So, I dumped its initial bedroom dream pop vibe for a faster, grungier one.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording session for this single?
The session took 2h in a studio around Shoreditch in London, UK. It was my first time recording professionally, so I was a bit stressed. As a perfectionist, I wasn’t fully pleased with the session at the time. The production also went on a halt for a few weeks when the initial producer decided to drop out. Fortunately, my now manager, who also helped me with visuals, found a better professional for the job. The track turned up to be as I envisioned it, so I’m very satisfied!
The whole experience was memorable and I learned a lot from it.
How do you channel your emotions and connect with your audience during live performances?
I was around 14 when I first performed on stage at a local festival in my hometown, Romania. I loved it, it just felt natural to be there. Honestly, I think a crucial thing for the artist is to feel emotionally connected to the song. Usually, the audience can feel that in your voice inflections and other subtleties of your playing. Besides the music part, it’s important to talk to the audience. They’ll feel more comfortable singing along! That’s why I like making what I call “anti-jokes” or meta jokes, a gen z specialty.
How do you balance crafting relatable stories with maintaining your unique voice as a songwriter?
When I write songs, I usually start with the guitar part. Then I let the riff “simmer” in my brain for a few months until I get an idea for the story, and that’s when I write the lyrics and the vocal melody.
I think that in our current environment, where we’re taught that we “should” do certain things in a certain way, the most relatable artistic works and performances are the ones that break all these robotic “standards” of doing things.
