Boardwalk/Hollywood Records
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ZZ Ward was discovered, like many musicians, here on Myspace. Songwriter Evan “Kidd” Bogart found the Roseburg, OR singer’s profile and she has been working her way up in the scene ever since. So not only do we think you should know this musician based on her talents, but we also have a little homebase pride in her discovery.
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Ward got her start performing with her dad in a blues band. The singer wrote on her Facebook page, “I grew up listening to my Dad write and sing the blues and started performing with him in his blues bands when I was a kid. I fell in love with the sincerity of Etta, the soul of Muddy and the power of Big Mama. When I got older I started writing hooks for and performing with local rappers from Eugene. I fell in love with hip-hop, with it’s authenticity. Now I’m married to em both.”
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The musician’s debut EP, Criminal, came out in April digitally and CD in June via Boardwalk/Hollywood Records following a performance at SXSW. The disc features a collaboration with Freddie Gibbs on the title track. While making the EP, Ward released a mixtape called Eleven Roses, which consists of reinterpretations of other artists’ songs.
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Ward has since toured with Allen Stone and Fitz and the Tantrums. The singer spent her time off the road this year in the studio with numerous producers and collaborators penning and recording her debut album Til The Casket Drops, which is due out on September 18. Collaborators on her album include Ryan Tedder, Kendrick Lamar, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest) and Fitz (of Fitz and the Tantrums). Ward has said of the album, “I decided to call my album Til The Casket Drops. Not only was it the first song I wrote for this record but it really captures the whole story in one song. This album is about the ups and downs of relationships, they’re not always perfect and sometimes you have to fight for great love.”
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Boardwalk/Hollywood Records
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The title track from the disc, “Til The Casket Drops,” was also recently picked for a trailer for ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars. The popularity of the track resulted in a music video tailored specifically to the show.
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Ward said in a recent interview, “I don’t think that’s something an artist can ever be sure of. I think if you try to please other people with the music you create, you will end up dissatisfied. I just make music that is true to me. I would rather the public not accept me for who I really am than accept me for something I’m not.”
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Want to hear more? Check out ZZ Ward’s Myspace Radio channel here.
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