Discovering the Soul of Music: A Journey with Melody Zenith

Amit Ahuja
Jul 28
10 min read

Updated: Aug 11

I had the pleasure of conducting a Q&A session with singer and songwriter Melody Zenith, where we discussed her upbringing, musical journey, hobbies, and interests.

Amit Ahuja: I’m deeply interested in learning more about your background and the journey that has shaped your identity. Could you share where you grew up and your hometown environment? I would love to understand how your upbringing has influenced your values and worldview.

Melody Zenith: I grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Twin Cities are diverse, creative, and blue-collar. The area I grew up in included music venues, open mics, and punk rock art surplus stores within walking distance. It's an immigrant-heavy area. It's far more affordable than where I currently live (Los Angeles) and much smaller, but still urban.

Amit Ahuja: In addition, I’d like to explore the role of your cultural heritage. How has your cultural background contributed to shaping who you are today? Have traditions, stories, or customs left a lasting impression on you? Lastly, have any significant milestones—accomplishments, challenges, or transformative experiences—been particularly meaningful in your personal growth?

Melody Zenith: While I've had the privilege to experience a lot in my life, my own family is very small. I wouldn't describe my direct family as particularly cultural or in touch with our roots. Music is probably the only thing I associate with my family, so I consider those my roots.

As far as accomplishments and transformative experiences, establishing myself independently and moving to Los Angeles is an accomplishment in itself. I'm also sober, which has made me a lot more productive and has helped me strive to become a high achiever in terms of my ambitions. The average musician has not been heard by as many people as I've been heard by or had a lot of the experiences I've had. I recognize that it is a blessing and that more is to come. I've also gotten to work with a couple of artists I'd consider myself a big fan of and had some positive and inspirational interactions with some of my idols.

Amit Ahuja: Could you share the story behind what inspired you to pursue a music career? What early experiences, people, or moments in your life influenced your decision to dedicate yourself to music as a profession?

Melody Zenith: My dad was a guitar teacher and a professional musician for a period of his life. He had a lot of stories about playing with famous artists. In his own right, my dad had a song chart on Billboard in the top 200 and taught me songwriting basics. My mother was musical too. My parents had a band when they first met, and they still played together when I was little. My mom used to wipe off every piano key before band practice (even though no one played the piano; it was just a family heirloom in our house), and I became intrigued and started playing it as my first informal instrument because I wasn't yet old enough for guitar. I grew up really poor, but when you don't really have anything, you don't know what you're missing, so I can't complain. I started writing songs at a very early age and later became interested in poetry and electronic music. I started performing at open mics when I was 15.

Amit Ahuja: What drew you to darkwave and synth pop, both musically and aesthetically?

Melody Zenith: From my basic understanding, darkwave is just synth pop that explores melancholy and dark themes. I feel like my music has a sort of glossy pop element, but the base of all of it is very darkwave. My songs are usually not wholly happy, but rather they confront difficult themes, topics, or certain feelings. At best, I'd say I can be kind of whimsical, dark, and weird. I love the drama of 80s synth pop and 90s music, and my interest in electronic music initially came from discovering artists like Bjork and Tricky as a teen.

Amit Ahuja: Which bands or albums had the most significant impact on your sound inside and outside of the genre you currently focus on?

Melody Zenith: Some standout impactful albums for me would be Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, Live Through This by Hole, Homogenic by Bjork, and Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos. I'm really into The Cure, She Wants Revenge, Night Club, London After Midnight, David Bowie, Sade, Tori Amos, Portishead, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Lana Del Rey, and plenty of smaller, underground darkwave bands. One of my favorite independent artists is a woman named Phildel.

Amit Ahuja: Who have been some of your most significant male and female musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound or approach as an artist?

Melody Zenith: I suppose everyone can offer something different, right? In terms of production, I bow down to people like Trent Reznor and Mike Dean. Just incredibly next-level stuff. Vocally, recently, I decided I think Whitney Houston is the greatest vocalist to have ever lived in the recent history of recording music. Her voice is so angelic. There's so much to appreciate musically; I'm just into everything, and I love big icons. Sometimes I go out of my genre and love just learning someone's story, and will come out of it with a new appreciation for their talent. I think The Cure is one of the best bands to ever exist, and I love that Robert Smith seems so humble about it still.

Amit Ahuja: How do you blend the atmospheric elements of darkwave with the catchy melodies of synth pop?

Melody Zenith: I feel like I did that on Strangers and Fame, Rockstar, and most of my music, I think. A lot of my melodies are very pop-oriented, but it's nostalgic yet modern too.

Amit Ahuja: What do you think defines the difference between darkwave and synth pop?

Melody Zenith: One is intended for mainstream consumption, and the other is niche and darker. It's sort of like comparing Lovecats by The Cure with Figurehead by The Cure.

Amit Ahuja: How do you approach songwriting differently for a darkwave track versus a synth pop track?

Melody Zenith: I don't approach it differently.

Amit Ahuja: How has your experience navigating the darkwave and synth pop scene been shaped by your perspective as a woman, and what unique challenges or opportunities has that brought to your journey as an artist?

Melody Zenith: The safety element is always an issue when you're a woman. The underground music scene can be crazy. You end up spending a lot of time in bars and clubs (which is especially funny for me as a sober person), which can be hard for a woman to navigate. You have to be careful, for sure. I also think female vocalists and producers can be underestimated a lot. I try to go out of my way to support other female artists because of this.

Amit Ahuja: What unique qualities set you apart as a remarkable singer?

Melody Zenith: I don't know; I think I'm a good singer and a better songwriter who can play a couple of instruments. Thank you, though!

Amit Ahuja: Can you walk us through the sources of your lyrical inspiration—whether personal experiences, stories you've heard, or abstract ideas—and how those influences shape your songwriting process? What does it feel like to transform those deeply personal or creative expressions into a live performance, and how do you connect with the audience through your words on stage?

Melody Zenith: I guess I fell in love with writing and language at the same time I fell in love with music. What I write about varies greatly, and I can't pinpoint a specific process. Sometimes I write about things that have happened or things that I wish would happen. Mostly, I don't really believe I'm anything but a vessel for the universe to speak through, so while the songs might have personal meaning to me, I don't take ownership of them. That's also how I feel when connecting with a live audience. It feels like communicating with something deeper.

Amit Ahuja: Could you share detailed insights into the creative process, themes, and inspirations behind the tracks Rock Star, Strangers, Vampire, and Fame?

Melody Zenith: The songs are all about different kinds of vampires, literally and metaphorically. Energy vampires, and romanticized monster movie vampires. Fame is about the dark side of Hollywood, and so is Rockstar in ways. Vampire and Strangers are more closely aligned with movie vampires.

Amit Ahuja: Has a message or moment with a fan made you truly realize the deeper emotional or personal impact of your music, beyond just entertainment? What’s something about the day-to-day of being in a band that fans might not realize?

Melody Zenith: Someone told me they became a member of Finland's national choir because my music inspired them to sing. I think that might be my favorite story I've heard yet.

Amit Ahuja: Are there any local or online communities that have been important for your growth as an artist?

Melody Zenith: Not really, I was a bit of a lone wolf. I preferred reading and writing much to socializing when I was a teen.

Amit Ahuja: If you were given the fantastic opportunity to open for any band or go on a world tour, which bands would you choose to join on this exciting journey?

Melody Zenith: I'd love to tour with Garbage, London After Midnight, Boy Harsher, and Chelsea Wolfe.

Amit Ahuja: If you could collaborate with any musician, living or past, who would it be and why?

Melody Zenith: Kate Bush, because she's one of my biggest inspirations.

Amit Ahuja: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through music?

Melody Zenith: I think while pursuing a professional career in Hollywood, you quickly learn where you fall in the spectrum of entertainers, and what your values are and what they aren't.

Amit Ahuja: What keeps you inspired as an artist?

Melody Zenith: I continue to learn new things and keep my eyes and ears open for new artists to inspire me. I love seeing successful independent acts in particular, ones that have somehow remained uncorrupted by showbiz.

Amit Ahuja: What insights or recommendations do you have for musicians who face rejection or experience setbacks in their careers? Specifically, how can these artists cope with disappointment and use those challenges as stepping stones for future growth?

Melody Zenith: Entertainment is a business with tons of rejection; it just takes a few people believing in you to make a difference sometimes, though. You just have to keep trying to push through that wall. Never discount any meeting; it could change your life.

Amit Ahuja: Is making music more of a release, a discovery, or a confrontation for you?

Melody Zenith: Sometimes, if I write something particularly dark, I think of it as a release. I don't think of it as a discovery or confrontation, usually.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a message you hope fans walk away with after listening to your music, or do you prefer to leave it open to interpretation?

Melody Zenith: I prefer it to be open to interpretation.

Amit Ahuja: What’s your favorite song to play live and why?

Melody Zenith: I think definitely Fame. There's a part 2 to that song that isn't on Spotify (it's available on Patreon), and I love performing the full song and seeing the live reactions. Check it out www.patreon.com/melodyzenith.

Amit Ahuja: What’s your favorite part about performing live?

Melody Zenith: The feeling when I get off the stage, and I know it was a good set, and the audience enjoyed themselves. It's a relief you did a good job, and a feeling of joy—a non-synthetic high. Just pure adrenaline!

Amit Ahuja: I would love to hear about any exciting projects, tours, or collaborations you have on the horizon! What are you looking forward to the most?

Melody Zenith: I'm planning to do a West Coast tour soon, and I'm working on new music!

Amit Ahuja: Can you share three individuals who have positively or negatively influenced your life, and why?

Melody Zenith: I think Marilyn Monroe, Hayao Miyazaki, and David Bowie. I just find Marilyn really fascinating. She is very much a symbol of my interest in glamour, which influences some of my work. I love Hayao Miyazaki; I admire his ability to create whimsical worlds that also explore serious topics. He's very political without having to make a single direct statement, which inspires me too. Lastly, David Bowie is, in my opinion, the perfect rockstar.

Amit Ahuja: What kinds of TV shows, movies, books, or podcasts do you connect with—and what is it about them that draws you in? Is it the storytelling, character development, the themes they explore, or just the overall craft?

Melody Zenith: I feel like I can appreciate a good movie of any kind or any genre, but I suppose I find myself watching a lot of documentaries, anime, and gothic horror. For me, I don't like actively being scared, but I appreciate classic horror—like Dracula and Frankenstein. I also love 90s and 80s classics, like The Fifth Element, Hackers, The Bodyguard, and High Fidelity. It's all good fun. I also love documentaries and film analysis, and I enjoy certain classic old movies.

Amit Ahuja: How do you define happiness in your life, and how does that connect to your vision of success?

Melody Zenith: I think happiness can be found in even the smallest things. It shouldn't be connected to a vision of success, but I can't lie—of course, I feel more satisfied and content when I'm seeing success.

Amit Ahuja: Do you have hobbies or interests outside of music that get you fired up?

Melody Zenith: Does my cat count as a hobby? I'm very passionate about my cat. He also stars frequently in my Twitch streams on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Amit Ahuja: Let's talk about how you've dealt with mental health struggles. What strategies, coping tricks, or support systems have helped you? Additionally, what advice or insights would you like to share with others your age who are facing similar challenges?

Melody Zenith: I think putting your phone away to avoid burnout is a good technique. I'm pretty addicted to mine, but I'm working on it. I'm also a fan of meditation and going on walks. Also, having people you can talk to—I mean, really talk to about everything. I'm also sober, which has improved my mental health too. Sometimes, it's better to be alone than around people who aren't good for you.

Amit Ahuja: What message would you share with humanity if you had the world’s attention for five minutes?

Melody Zenith: I guess I'd advocate for the protection of the LGBTQ community and reproductive rights.

Amit Ahuja: Thanks to Melody Zenith for sharing her story with us.