By Alissa Arunarsirakul // November 4, 2022
Zach Hood has been one of our favorite artists since we discovered him, and the Alabama native isn’t done impressing us yet. With a star quality and boy-next-door charm, Hood is a doer who absolutely never gives up on his dreams. Delivering an exquisite collection of songs that truly came from the heart, Hood is more than pleased to present his emotionally-charged new EP, BLOSSOM.
On BLOSSOM, Zach Hood reflected,
“This EP is about a stage in life which everyone goes through. It’s a time where you start to feel and experience things your younger self couldn’t even imagine. I moved across the country away from everyone and everything I know to chase a dream not only for myself but for everything I stand for, and yes, some people may not move across a country but growing up comes with almost 100 percent adversity and challenges you have to face as a human. It truly is a beautiful thing to see and/or experience these things as a human being and face them head on. We are BLOSSOMing.”
To celebrate the release of his new music, we recently chatted with Zach Hood about adversity, bedroom country, and of course, BLOSSOM.
HH: Some know you as a humble kid from Alabama, and others recognize you as a hardworking musician who’s making his dreams come true. What do you have to say about your journey so far?
ZH: Personally, I’d say I’m both of those. Coming from Alabama and an amazing family has taught me a lot. I’ve always gone by a quote that I hear: “Life is only as good as your mindset,” and I’ve tried to stay true to that. It’s incredible that stuff is going to plan, and I have this platform to share my music on. I am very grateful for everything that comes my way and all of the opportunities that come with it. I’m loving every second of this unbelievable reality.
HH: BLOSSOM represents growth and perseverance in the face of adversity. What was the biggest challenge you faced while crafting this EP?
ZH: One thing I struggled with is trying to write the “perfect” song. I struggled to realize not every song can be perfect. I soon began to realize that a “perfect” song is a song that means a lot to me and trying not to get lost in the “trends” and everything. Trying to stay true to myself and not get lost in the industry.
HH: “never knew a heart could break itself” makes us tear up instantly. How are you able to evoke such powerful emotions through your songwriting?
ZH: When writing a song like “never knew a heart could break itself,” I try to say things that people think but don’t say out loud. I try to tell the truth and how I genuinely feel. It’s definitely easier said than done, but I feel like I did a good job with this one. Definitely one of my favorite tracks I’ve worked on.
HH: You’ve started a bedroom country frenzy with “when she was mine.” What inspired you to incorporate country-esque instrumentals on the EP?
ZH: Well, me being from Alabama, I come from a little country background. It was SO much fun writing this song. I actually freestyled it to my girlfriend in my childhood bedroom in Alabama and I instantly knew I wanted to make it a real thing. This genre sounds VERY good. I honestly didn’t even know what genre it was when making it.
HH: What advice do you have for anyone who’s feeling defeated? Specifically which tracks on the EP would you suggest they spend time with?
ZH: Personally, when I feel defeated, I listen to sad songs 24/7. I’d recommend “never knew a heart could break itself,” “daphne,” and “lonely isn’t the word for this.”
HH: Now that you’ve unveiled BLOSSOM… we need to hear these songs live. When can we expect a tour announcement?!
ZH: Hopefully in 2023 we can be on the road again. That is the best part of this job in my opinion. I LOVE meeting new people and seeing how they interact with the songs in person. It’s amazing.
HH: What are your hidden hits?
ZH: 1. “Alone” – Ashten Ray
2. “In My Head” – Peter Manos
3. “Baby Blue” – Imani Graham
I WANT TO KEEP THESE FOR MYSELF… but here you go!!!
The Hidden Hits 