Note: This interview was conducted before the end of 2022.
How would you describe your music to anyone who may have never heard it?
Zeeteah: A sensual collision between reggae, dancehall, jazz, and soul.
What are your musical influences? Z: My musical influences cover a broad spectrum. Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt, WizKid, John Holt, Sean Paul, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nancy Wilson. What are your musical inspirations? Z: Living and loving. The usual.
What musician or musicians would you like to collaborate with if given a chance?
Z: Sean Paul, WizKid, and Billie Eilish would all be wonderful to collaborate with. There's a cover of a Billy Eilish tune on my new album, in fact. What’s your new album written about?
Z: The songs are about the madness of conspiracy nuts, heartbreak, new love, naughtiness, unrequited love, a breakup, and my irritation when people say my name wrong.
What’s something you hope people take away from the new songs?
Z: I hope they will enjoy the grooves. I hope they will enjoy the tunes. And above all, I hope they will feel the emotions... And I hope they will learn to say my name right.
Which songs on the album were the most fun to write and which were the most challenging to write?
Z: "Wat A Ting" was the most fun to write, and I guess it's the most fun song on the album. My
husband/musical partner Paul and I really enjoyed putting that one together.
The most challenging song to get right was "Baby Girl" because it's about such a painful
subject.
Do you have any favourite songs from the new album?
Z: I love them all, but "Baby Girl" means the most to me. Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? Could be your own music or even a cover. Any reason why?
Z: The only songs that I perform live are songs that I love to sing. If there was a song that I
didn't enjoy singing, I'd leave it out of my set. I love my gigs from beginning to end.
If you could perform a show right this very second and anywhere in the world, where would it be?Is there any particular venue or city that comes to mind?
Z: There are two places where I've sung as part of a band but never as a solo artist: the Albert Hall in London and the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. They are both incredible venues, and I would love to be on stage at either of them right this minute. So one of those, please.
What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year?
Z: There are only three weeks of the year left, so time is a little limited. I'm appearing for four nights at the wonderful Jazz Café in London, supporting Alexander O'Neal. I'm doing lots of promotion for my new album. I'm celebrating my birthday on Christmas Eve. And Paul and I are going away for a little break after Christmas.
Thanks for the time today! Is there anything else you want to add before you go? Z: You're welcome! 2022 has been an incredible year, and I want to thank my fans for all their support, and also, I want to thank all the radio DJs around the world who have been playing the new album and saying such lovely things about it. I have a feeling 2023 is going to be even better. I can't wait! Merry Christmas, everyone!
Check out more from Zeeteah Massiah.