At 10 years old, Zahra Ladha penned their first song. It was Grade 4 and they wrote “The Perfect Life” with their childhood friend during recess.
While Ladha admits the song wasn’t very good, this moment kickstarted their journey as a musician. Twelve years later, Ladha is a fifth-year forensic psychology and neuroscience student at Carleton University, who continues to make music, now professionally known as Zeelle. Within the past year they released an EP, “MAD,” and a single titled “Scarlet Red.”
The Charlatan connected with Zeelle to discuss their artistic journey and their motivations as a performer.
The Charlatan (TC): Does the name “Zeelle” hold any significance?
Zeelle (Z): My initials are “Z.L.” It was a fun way to phonetically spell out my initials. The other thing is my uncle’s nickname for me growing up was always just “Z.” I thought it was a fun tribute to him. I also like having a persona to tap into and keep my lives more separate.
TC: How does separating your lives inform your artistry?
Z: I find that I have music that is just for me, Zahra. I also have songs that I write for the Zeelle project. It’s like putting on a game face. I’ve been a performer my whole life, so I’m used to performing in front of crowds. But stepping on stage as yourself can feel very vulnerable. Stepping on stage with a persona feels a little more doable.
TC: When did you start to fall in love with music?
Z: My mom is a very creative person. She really advocated when I was young to have something creative to pour your emotions into. I did piano for years, and then I picked up acoustic guitar and I’ve always loved singing. I don’t have musical parents, but music has always been huge in my life.
TC: How did growing up listening to music translate into writing music?
Z: I was in Grade 4 and I was hanging out with this girl, Nour, and she was talking about how she would write songs all the time. I went to my piano teacher and she was like, “I write songs as well. Let me show you the song structure.”
I was writing songs for fun with Nour, then I would go to my piano lessons, and my teacher would teach me how to write. I would write in my notebook for hours on end.
TC: How would you describe your music to new listeners?
Z: It’s eerie, but fun and playful. Introspective, as well. It’s very real. While I speak in metaphors in a lot of my music, it’s all about stuff that is very raw, tangible and it’s hard feelings made to be more digestible.
TC: How do you infuse these themes into your songwriting?
Z: With “Scarlet Red” as an example, it started as a little joke. I watched The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes last year and I was like, ‘Tom Blyth is really hot.’ Then I wrote the song because I needed to remind myself that President Snow is evil.
After writing the song, subconsciously I put in these themes. That song discusses what it’s like to be a woman and how painful it can be. “Scarlet Red” is a reflection of the stuff that’s going on in the world right now. It’s the kind of message that I didn’t mean to throw in there, it just kind of happened.
TC: What is your songwriting process?
Z: It honestly changes. I’m trying to work more on sitting down with the intention to write. A lot of the time I get this feeling and then I sit down and I write for three hours, and then I won’t write at all for three months. A lot of the time I’m inspired by a little thing and it turns into something else. It always stems from one little thing and then explodes. It’s really not that structured — I wish it was. I throw paint at the wall and hope it looks good. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.
TC: What do you hope people take away from your music?
Z: I make music that makes people think. You don’t have to think, you can listen and just be like, ‘Yo, this song “Medusa” is about the snake lady from Percy Jackson. Sick.’ Or, you can listen to the song and be like, ‘Wow, this song is about how you sometimes just need to accept the fact that you have problems and not try and fight them all the time.’
You can have either listening experience and both are fine. But if I’m on stage singing in your face, you have to listen. It’s a little bit like I need to educate people, but I also want them to have a good time. You take from my performance what you need at that moment.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured image by Oluchi.
