Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Zach Brandon is premiering his music video for his debut single “Top of the Hill,” from his forthcoming album, Sand & Stone LP, out on 11 Harbor Records. The album was produced by Zach and multi-Grammy award-winning writer and producers, Charlie Midnight (James Brown, Christina Aguilera, Joni Mitchell), and Jan Fairchild (Justin Timberlake, Mos Def). At only 23 years old, Zach has experienced pain and heartache, first losing his mother at a young age due to cancer, and in his sophomore year at USC, he suffered a near-paralyzing injury. However it was during these most difficult times, he discovered the beautiful outlet of songwriting, claiming “the songwriter in me was born.”
“Top of the Hill” was written to provide inspiration and comfort to any listener who needs the right word, melody, or groove to lift them out of a dark place, and is something we all need now during these uncertain times. In celebration of his debut single and upcoming album, Zach spoke with us about the filming of “Top of the Hill,” the recording process of his upcoming album, working with his producers, and how music helps him during his greatest trials of life. Get to know his favorite superlatives with his first concert, top five albums, and what he’s currently watching and listening to.
What was the filming for Top of the Hill’s music video like, and did you have a lot of input with it?
Zach Brandon: It was very satisfying to work so closely with my director, Shantie Midnight and her team. We were all very in sync about how to visually represent the meaning of my song and everyone understood how important it was to me that we portrayed diversity in the video. It’s a song for anyone who wants to follow their dreams – to reach their own “Top of The Hill” – and it doesn’t matter who or what or how you are, just that you are chasing what you love. In order to give emotional access to as many people as I could, I knew that diversity had to be a key element of the video.
“Top of the Hill” is from your forthcoming first full-length studio album, Sand & Stone LP. What was the writing and recording like for it?
Zach: To be honest, Charlie Midnight and Jan Fairchild started as my producers/partners, but have come to be family to me. Because our personalities and creative styles and choices are so similar, the entire experience of working with them has been one of the best of my life. I’m very old school in terms of my general creative process, and so being able to learn from their classic recording methods was an amazing process for me not only because of how well it fit my musical style but also because of how well it fit my personal style. We recorded full demos with almost every single part worked out before we ever began recording in the big studios, which enabled two key elements in achieving the recording of this album:
1. The fact that we were able to fully work out the demos allowed me to have the creative freedom of not being rushed. We got to try every single idea I had for every song, and so by the time we were ready to record, I didn’t have any remorse surrounding any parts that I thought would have been great.
2. Being so practiced helped me feel extremely grounded in the music and the emotion of the songs.
For Sand & Stone, you worked with Grammy-Award winning writer and producers Charlie Midnight and Jan Fairchild. How did that collaboration come about, and what did you take away from that experience?
Zach: Serendipity. I was performing in a club in Los Angeles, and Charlie happened to be there. After my set, I had the opportunity to talk with him. After hearing his philosophy on music and songs, I knew I had to work with him. I mean he’s written and produced for a lot of music legends (James Brown, Joe Cocker, Joni Mitchell, etc), so I was relentless and managed to get him to become my mentor and write with me. After a few months of writing, Charlie introduced me to his partner, Jan Fairchild (Justin Timberlake, Mos Def), and the three of us quickly ended up becoming best buddies. We spent a few months carving out some demos, and then decided it was time to get in the studio and record a full-length album.
Charlie and Jan’s influence on my writing has been enormous. These guys are all about the hooks, about having something in the song both lyrically and musically that connects immediately with the listener. I learned how to change my approach from writing just to express myself into writing songs that express my emotions and point of view in a way to make the listener feel like it’s a shared experience. I also learned to never assume that just because you are writing your feelings that anyone is interested simply because you wrote it. If you want to affect people with your songs you have to remember that you are writing so that other people will connect with your message. A cool guitar riff, a strong melody, a relatable lyric, if powerful enough, can draw the listener into your song. From Charlie and Jan, I learned to find your own, unique voice as a writer and never take the listener for granted. Combine your uniqueness and honesty with your dedication to the craft of songwriting and you will find your audience.
You’ve experienced tragedy in your young life. How did you incorporate these experiences into your songwriting and guitar-playing?
Zach: Music has always given me an outlet to put words to my feelings. For me, the most impactful part about writing music is how it forces me to dig deep into what I’m feeling, and helps me to really understand the root of my emotions – it forces me to evaluate myself with brutal honesty, which allows me to accept how I’m feeling and move forward with pride in what I’ve experienced.
What was your first introduction to the guitar, and what drew you to it?
Zach: My brother played guitar growing up, and I was always intrigued by it. My brother and his (our) guitar teacher, Tony Rhambo, were always digging deep into Jazz (mostly George Benson-type stuff), and I always listened from the other room with amazement, sometimes even sneaking into the room and watching for an hour from behind the couch (I’m sure they knew and didn’t have the heart to kick me out, laughs.)
Do you play any other instruments? If not, is there an instrument you’d like to learn to play?
Zach: I play piano and drums.
During these challenging times we’re all experiencing, what do you hope people take away from your music?
Zach: I hope that my music will inspire people to get through their losses as well as find their strengths. When you listen to my music, I want you to feel like you aren’t alone – like other people are going through what you’re going through. For me, that would be the highest form of satisfaction.
What’s next for you throughout this year?
Zach: I’m really looking forward to being able to get back out there and perform my music (and also to releasing more music!)
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite?
Zach: My first concert was actually George Benson at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?
Zach: I’m pretty sure my first CD was the Spongebob Movie soundtrack. I’ll never forget when I got it- I wanted to memorize the lyrics so I could sing along, but all I had was the CD and the CD player – no computer – so I took a paper and pen, and I wrote the lyrics as the song was going, but if I was too slow, I had to restart the song and wait until it got to the spot that I missed…and I had to keep restarting the process until I got the whole song. I did that for multiple songs.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Zach: Sweet Baby James by James Taylor, Eagles Live by The Eagles, Battle Studies by John Mayer Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay.
I also want to add a song: “It’s Hard To Get Around The Wind” by Alex Turner
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Zach: If someone turns on The Bachelor, I can’t say I’m not gonna watch…but don’t tell my friends.
What are you currently listening to, watching and/or reading?
Zach: Currently listening to a lot of Hozier and Harry Styles and watching the new season of Brooklyn 99.
“Top of the Hill” music video credentials:
Director: Shantie Midnight
Exec. Producer: 11 Harbor Records
Produced by: Susanna Midnight, MPH Media
Line Producer: Royce Gorsuch
Director of Photography: Kenneth Merrill
Assistant Camera: Matthew Von Arx
Steadicam Operator: Nick Serabyn
Hair/Makeup: Lili Kaytmaz
Production Assistant: Truth Williams
Video Featuring:
Jallal
Truth Williams
Lili Kaytmaz
Harry Zimmerman
Calista Loter
Aaron Groben
Alexis Shafira
Maya Cunningham
Aleah Cunningham
Alanis Cunningham
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