Exclusive Interview with EDM Vocalist Tania Zygar

Having worked with record labels such as Armada, Black Hole Recordings, and Enhanced Recordings; the Canadian born songstress has a sweet sounding voice we cannot get enough of! We started to fall in love with Tania back in 2010 with the release of her Armada Music single, “Vanilla” that reached the top of several EDM charts. Her catchy hooks can be heard on popular night club sets and DJ radio shows such as “A State of Trance” with Armin van Buuren as well as “Trance Around the World” with Above & Beyond! With 2011 hits including “Why Do I Care” and “The Moment it Breaks” with tyDi as well as “The Wall” alongside Arty, electronic music fans have become very familiar with her almost ethereal sound. Check out the latest on Tania Zygar in our exclusive interview!

EDMinsider 1. How long have you been perusing music? When and how did you decide to break in Electronic Dance Music?

Tania Zygar: I’ve really been singing since I could talk. I was always a ham! I was always singing around the house with my little microphone. Music has always been something I loved since as long as I can remember. I really began with more acoustic/folky kind of stuff, but I was approached by a friend Zoltan Knowles to do a record called “Take Hold Of Me.” It turned out well, which was my first major release, so-to-speak. It’s been a natural evolving process with different collaborations ever since then. I think my voice and style is evolving with each new release, as well, which I’m rather excited about. I think EDM is a great genre to explore. I love all kinds of music, which is something I’ve expressed a lot very recently, actually.

EDMinsider 2. Have you ever been given the opportunity to perform live with a DJ/Producer? What have been a few of your favorite performances thus far in your career and why?

Tania Zygar: I have! It’s something I really enjoy! I actually just had a great show in Beirut a few weeks ago. My in-ears were working properly and the sound tech guy was wonderful, which is something every vocalist is particular about when performing live. I think it was one of the first times I really let go (vocally) and enjoyed the moment of doing what I have loved since I was a little girl. The people there were so loving and engaging. I got a chance to go sight-seeing for a few days after that, and some of the fans acted as my tour guide. Last summer I also got to be the opening act for Armin, which was mind blowing. That’s a whole other story, and something that I’m very grateful for. It is definitely something that will forever engraved in my mind. I can’t wait to continue doing more shows. As an artist, it really is a rewarding experience. I think live performing is where you actually get to sense the “fruits of your labor.” What I can’t wait to do is have a band (electronic set-up, of course) performing with me once my debut album releases. I have SO many ideas for this aspect, and I can’t wait for other people to experience it. I’ll also be able to play my guitar or piano as well, and that’s something you can’t usually do while performing as an EDM vocalist in a club environment.

EDMinsider 3. Typically when providing vocals for an Electronic Dance Music project, does the music producer approach you with lyrics already written or do you provide the lyrics as well?

Tania Zygar: I’ve never had a release where the lyrics were pre-written for me. Usually the producer will send me a demo , and I will write the lyrics based on the track. Other times I will start the demo either on my guitar and piano, write the lyrics, and send it to the producer so he can make something special out of it. There have been a few occasions where the producer has asked to change a word here or there, and we’ve worked together to find the “perfect fit,” but I am proud to be a writer as much as I am a singer; writing is the most important part of the process for me.

EDMinsider 4. You finally have a day off, are you the type to stay home to relax or hit the clubs/bars for a night out with your friends or significant other?

Tania Zygar: I never have a day off! When I’m not working, I’m writing new music, catching up on e-mails, or writing new demos. My schedule has been pretty hectic for the past six months, it’s hard to catch me in a state where I’m not doing anything, and it gets pretty tiring. I made a promise to myself that 2012 will be a year of balance for me, where I can play as much as I work, and make sure I am always getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and being social. So far it’s worked out pretty well! In the little downtime I’ve made for myself, I’ve decorated my house, spent time with friends, and even had a dinner party! I only go out when there’s a band/DJ that’s playing that I really like, which isn’t very often unfortunately.

EDMinsider 5. If you were able to go back in time, having a very similar career during a different era, which would you choose and why?

Tania Zygar: To be honest, I think I would stay exactly where I am, because I feel that without social media and the internet, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If I HAD to choose, it would be the early to mid- 90′s; only because pop artists were still making money off of selling records and not everyone was pirating their music, haha! I guess the internet has had both a positive and negative effect on us musicians!

EDMinsider 6. Who would you consider to be some of your favorite EDM DJs/Producers at the moment and why? Are there any up-and-coming artists you hope to work with in the future?

That’s a tough question because the answer changes all the time! However, I’m a huge fan of Pleasurekraft, Arty, Madeon, Wolfgang Gartner, and Bassnectar for a variety of reasons. Really it’s mostly because I love a fat bass sound, beautiful melodies, and powerful build-ups–all of which these artists have. I especially love the funkyness that Madeon has, and he’s so young – I have a lot of respect for him! Dave and Dresden are also really good, and the latest Gareth Emery track with Christina rocks! One of the first EDM artists I started listening to was Ferry Corsten’s album ages ago. I loved how his tracks took me away to a different world; his music really resonated with what I was going through at that time.

As for artists I want to work with in the future, I’d love to work with Madeon, Doctor Luke (he’s the producer on a lot of the mainstream hits you hear on the radio), and the producer of Frou Frou (I fell in love with their sound, and would love to create something similar).

EDMinsider 7. You’ve recorded collaborations throughout your career with the likes of tyDi, Arty and Space Rockerz. What are some things you found to be different when working alongside different producers?

Tania Zygar: They really differ in terms of level of involvement. For instance, tyDi and I work back and forth, and he’s very hands-on with the demoing process. I get constant and immediate feedback. It also helps that after all of these tracks, we know each others working styles, and it meshes very well! As for Arty, it wasn’t as involved. We spoke a few times and I would send the demo to the label, and receive feedback from the label themselves. He was very easy to work with and very talented from what I gathered, though. As for the Space Rockerz, we started the demo process over e-mail and Skype. I then finished writing the track before they flew me down to record at a studio in Santa Barbara, California. For those 5 days we really bonded and connected, and I think that shows in the finished product ‘Puzzle Piece’. If I could have it my way, I would love to work with each producer face to face in a studio environment. I think that’s where I am most creative and free. There’s nothing more special than creating something new with someone you really respect and look up to. The way I work with producers really depends on the project we’re going for, if we’ve worked together before, and the style. As for my solo stuff, it will be very back and forth with me starting the producing process, as opposed to the producer starting the idea. I’m most excited about that!

EDMinsider 8. Are there plans for an album release from Tania Zygar in the future? What can fans expect to see from you soon?

Tania Zygar: Actually, yes! I’ve just announced it last week. I will be releasing my debut solo album on Enhanced Recordings in early 2013! This project is very special to me because I will be going back to my old form of songwriting and everything will start from my piano or guitar! I will be channeling all of my inspirations from a variety of genres, so expect something different from the usual! I’m really excited to show this side of me, and fans have been so positive about it too, which makes it even sweeter. The best part is that Enhanced and I will be involving the fans every step of the way. You’ll be able to see behind the scenes footage of what it’s like creating an album–from songwriting, recording, and even choosing the songs, fans will be able to have a say. While working on the album, there will also be a few releases coming out with very talented producers, so that is something to also anticipate!

Thanks for taking time to talk to me . Like I said, I’m really excited about what is to come, and I want to publicly thank everyone in the EDM industry and fans across the world for their support in getting me this far so quickly. xx TZ