Zedd Talks ‘Telos’, Navigating Burnout, and His Ambitions Beyond Music

ALBUM RELEASEEDM

Sep 18

— September 18, 2024 —

GRAMMY-winning DJ and producer Zedd has opened up about the challenges and triumphs behind his latest album, Telos, which was released on August 30, 2024. As his third studio album, Telos represents a deeply personal project that navigates both physical and emotional hurdles.

Reflecting on the intense creative process, Zedd revealed, “The last couple of months I pushed myself to the limit or beyond. I was losing so much weight, and not by choice. I couldn’t sleep at night. I would wake up thinking about the songs I was working on.” After pouring his heart and soul into the record, he expressed uncertainty about whether he had any energy left to continue creating music. Despite these challenges, Zedd asserted that his passion for the album is undeniable. “I love this album so much. I’ve never been more proud of any piece of music that I’ve made.”

Zedd also highlighted the unique nature of the electronic dance music (EDM) community, characterized by its supportive and collaborative spirit. “When I think back to how I started out in this industry, it felt like everything was built around supporting each other, and I think that is so unique.” In contrast, he remarked on the competitive atmosphere in the pop music industry, noting that “there is so much spite and hate between artists.” When performing, he relishes the joy of the crowd, observing that “everybody is smiling and happy, or crying, in a good way. Happy tears. I think that is such a beautiful feeling, and it doesn’t work this way for every genre. This is kind of a unique thing [to EDM].”

Zedd revealed that he had always been inspired by a wide variety of musical genres, extending well beyond EDM, with a strong emphasis on rock. “I spent about nine years in a rock/metal/hardcore band,” he shared, showcasing his eclectic background, which also included playing the drums at EDM performances.

Telos reflects Zedd’s growth as an artist. He noted that he has “matured a lot” throughout his musical journey and stressed the importance of authenticity: “I’ve learned to let go of expectations and genuinely listen to your heart. Not please everybody in the short-term because in the long-term, all these decisions will pay off.” He emphasized the significance of creating a cohesive album rather than a collection of disjointed tracks, stating, “I don’t like albums that feel like playlists. I wanted Telos to be an experience.”

Zedd pointed to “Descensus” as his favorite track, noting it as a standout moment in this predominantly collaborative project. However, he approaches collaboration with caution, saying, “Collaboration can be great, but only when it’s done right. And it is just not as easy as it sounds.”

Beyond his music career, Zedd revealed he is a “huge gamer” with aspirations of merging his passions in a more immersive way. “Video games are my passion. My dream would be to one day be the lead audio designer for a long-form, larger video game. To really sit down and design the acoustic DNA of a video game.”

As Telos continues to make waves in the music world, Zedd remains focused on balancing his passion for music with a renewed sense of self-care. His message is clear: while creativity and ambition are powerful forces, maintaining personal well-being is equally important.

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