There’s a magnetic pull to ZT’s “AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS” that’s hard to ignore. The song’s lush instrumentation and sleek production create a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. ZT’s storytelling is at the forefront, reflecting the highs of parties and the introspective lows that follow, giving the track a narrative depth that sets it apart. His voice, rich and resonant, anchors every moment, making each chorus feel both cinematic and deeply personal. This is a song that showcases not just technical skill, but a genuine understanding of emotion in modern R&B.
What inspired the concept behind “AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS”?
I’ve loved my time in the US and particularly LA and I just wanted to bring to life my experiences of the LA nightlife and afterparty scene. On my most recent trip out there, a lot of time was spent making music in the studio during the day and then partying hard in the evening. This song basically brings to life that vibe as well as tying in some of the personal experiences that I had of the afterparties in the Hollywood Hills with the people that I met and the things I saw. Fundamentally, it’s the type of song that you play on the way to a club or to a party to really get you into the mood.
How do your personal experiences shape the stories you tell through music?
Personal experiences are everything in my music. Every song that I have done and will do will be based on things I have experienced, lived and felt. To me, that’s what makes my music authentic which I think a lot of people can hear, appreciate and relate to. The feedback that I’ve got from listeners is that they can relate to the song and it resonates with them, because they’ve experienced the same thing and that they connect with it on more of a deeper level, which is amazing and ultimately what it’s all about.
Can you describe your songwriting process from idea to final track?
My songwriting changes from track to track. For me that’s super important as no two songs are the same, therefore each process should be unique as well. For ‘AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS’ we sat down in the studio talking about personal experiences with the LA nightlife and thought this could be the basis to make a really cool song. So we built on this idea and before you know it, we have a track; it was actually a fast and natural process. However, with my first single ‘BLINDED BY YOUR BLAME’ we really focused on the melody and the beat initially and writing the lyrics around this idea. I think if we had stuck to this idea with my latest single, which is a different vibe and I think also shows my diversity, it wouldn’t have come out as well as it could have. Each song is unique, and its creation should be too.
How does your dual heritage influence your musical style?
I’ve spent a lot of my life in both the UK and US, and with that you live different cultures, you meet different people, and you experience new vibes, which provides a great basis and lots of stories to tell. Whether that be the party scene of LA or troubles with relationships in London, both places have shaped me as a person and allow me to tell my story. But, particularly in relation to the US, I also come from a long line of musicians from my Dad’s side of the family, so I was always surrounded by music from a very young age, which had a big influence on me.
Which artists, past or present, have influenced your sound the most?
I love ‘The Weeknd’ and ‘Giveon’ and what they’ve done and achieved. I really admire their ability to turn the most heart-wrenching story into a musical masterpiece that really connects and that’s something which I want to emulate in my music. More specifically for my latest song I would say that Chris Brown’s music had a lot of influence on this track. My producer, Riley Urick, has a great relationship with Chris, and he’s produced many of his tracks, so this song was inevitably going to have that party vibe which Chris always brings to a track.
What was it like working with Grammy-nominated producer Riley Urick?
It was brilliant! He’s super talented, got a great ear for music, tons of experience and he’s been amazing in helping me navigate the music world for myself. He’s also great with the technology and being behind the computer, which I really appreciate. When I’m singing, if something can sound better, he will let me know as he wants what I want, and that’s what makes incredible music. I’m already planning a trip before the end of the year back out to LA to work on some more material with him, which I’m really looking forward to.
How do you ensure your music balances both pop appeal and emotional depth?
It’s all in the writing really, understanding the concept of your song and where it’s going and then building up the lyrics on the back of it. If you are writing a sad song or a pop song, and you have the great lyrics to match, there will always be an appeal to listeners because it connects with them. The key is to keep your lyrics honest and based on lived experiences and truths, which creates the authenticity that resonates with the audience. While ‘AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS’ is a more upbeat and party song, it’s still real life story telling from my part, which creates an important emotional depth that people can relate to.
How do you approach your vocal performance to convey both power and vulnerability?
I think I’m fortunate that this comes fairly naturally to me. When I’m singing about something I am passionate about, which has had a real and telling effect on me, such as a past relationship, I’m not afraid of being vulnerable or expressing my feelings. I think that’s a strength. Singing with power and conviction just happens, because to me, it’s my way of expressing my emotions, through my music. Whenever I sing and perform, I want the audience to live with me, celebrate with me, grieve with me, dance with me, and feel what I’m feeling. Using singing as a vessel to show how I’m feeling allows me to achieve this.
What’s the most challenging song you’ve ever written, and why?
Definitely my first one! It was my first time ever writing a song and my first time being in a recording studio, so inevitably it took a lot of time! But I learned so much about myself as a songwriter. Particularly, knowing that if I force a song, it’s never going to be as good as it can be; rather it needs to evolve naturally. So, whilst I love and really appreciate that song and it will always have a special place in my heart, I can definitely say that it’s been the hardest one to write and deliver.
How does the energy of a city, like London or LA, inspire your music?
For a song like ‘AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS’ the energy of the city was the main inspiration behind it, for sure. While London is a very cool place, LA is electric and when you are heading to the parties in the Hollywood Hills for the first time, it’s an amazing experience and you can’t help but be excited. The song embodies my journey of the LA nightlife, the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, and that’s been the foundation of this song.
Can you share a moment during recording or performing that felt transformative?
It was definitely when we’d just finished recording. We were all stood in the studio playing back the songs we had made, all dancing, singing, recording it on our phones, and in that moment, I just knew that this is what I’m meant to be doing with my life. It’s an enlightening moment, and every time I step into a studio or even just when I’m singing, I get the same feeling of this is where I belong and what I want to do. It’s genuinely transformative and makes me so grateful for how lucky I am to be pursuing and developing a career doing what I love.
What’s your favorite part about connecting with fans through your music?
I think everything about it is super cool! The fact that I can actually say that I have fans of my music is amazing and I’m so, so grateful to every single one of them that listens and supports me. It’s such a privilege, paeticularly when I can see that my music has a positive effect on their lives and allows them to have something to relate to. It really is just the best feeling. When I get sent videos of my friends playing my song in the car or at a party never gets old to me. And now seeing that people on the other side of the world are enjoying my music as well…that’s just so cool.
How do you see modern R&B evolving, and where do you fit in that landscape?
Right now, modern R&B is in such a cool place, where you have a mixture of old habits blending with new experimentation and emotion to create such a unique sound, which is loved globally. We’ve seen artists such as ‘The Weeknd’ take this idea and run with it; he’s created songs that are so unique and yet still have the same real passion and heart at their core, which songs of the early R&B era embodied. For me, it’s about understanding that while I have my own unique sound which I need to pursue, I also need to appreciate and embrace the groundwork that the greats have laid before me, which has allowed me to be where I am and which inspires me.
What do you hope listeners feel when they hear your latest single?
For ‘AFTER PARTY / AFTER HOURS’ I want my listeners to feel excitement and anticipation for the night ahead of them and everything that it brings. I want them blasting this song out on the way to the club, at the afterparty, and everywhere in-between. This song is meant to uplift you. You can work hard in the week, earning a living and chasing money and working on yourself, but when that weekend comes and you are going out with your mates, it’s time to let go in every sense and that’s the feeling which this song emulates.
Outside of music, what influences or inspires your creativity?
For me, creativity really comes from living, from the moments I go through and the people I meet along the way. As my career has grown, I’ve been lucky enough to travel more for music, and that’s taught me a lot, not just about different cultures, but about myself. I think everything in life can spark something. Whether it’s visiting a new country, a late-night conversation, or even finding a new food spot; sometimes it’s the simple day-to-day moments in life that can inspire creativity. The more I explore and push myself into new situations, the more emotion and perspective I have to write about.
