At the age of 26, Zaena has wanted to make music ever since she was a child. “The first time I ever heard a song,” she says, “I knew I would grow up to be a singer.” Zaena tells us that signing with Maek was the first step when it came to publicizing her music. “They have an amazing staff over there that works daily on my career.” Amongst her idols are Etta James and Madonna and Gwen Stephani, all of which have changed the face of music at one point. “I want my music to empower and affect people of all races and genders,” she says.
Recently Zaena release her, “Whiskey and Beer,” and “Favorites Tunes,” videos on Vevo. Both have received enormous recognition from all over the world. Her debut EP titled, “Harlequin,” being released in March, will feature both songs. The title “Harlequin,” she tells us is based on the literature character, Harlequin, that represents how women are projected with jester or villain by our society. She adds that the EP features a “collection of songs that show a variance of emotions and ideas that women feel all the time, but don’t necessarily get to express through song.”
When it comes to life, Zaena says that, “Dreams become reality, when reality dares to dream.” Recently Zaena showcased her music outside of the studio at SXSW. We are going to have to say that that dream got as realistic as it could get!
Before signing with Maek, Zaena belonged to a different label. At the time that Jason Sizer had approached her, she says, “I [had] just left a label and despite being approached by a lot of majors and independents, signing with someone wasn’t my focus.” However, she said that Maek’s approach to signing her was different. “[Jason Sizer] kept talking about building me a long lasting career, [not] about making me the next hot artist. That made all the difference.”
Being apart of a label that gives away free music, Zaena comments by saying she didn’t want to “have [her] creativity stifled by sales projections and commercialism.” She wants her music to easily reach fans and break boundaries, cross boarders, and the stereotype of the female musician, but most of all, she tells us “one day my music will make millions of people smile.”
