Zella Day

Early Life

Raised in Arizona, Zella Day was immersed in the cafe and art space her parents helped to create in their small mountain town of Pinetop. Zella was first encouraged by her mother to learn guitar as practical means for achieving a sustainable career as a musician. Her first songs, written soon after picking up the guitar at age 9, took influence from the classic singer/songwriter records of her parents and the mystique of the rugged desert landscape around her.

Powered by Love (2009)

The self-released album was recorded and paid for by a family friend impressed by 14-year-old Zella’s songwriting and self-determination. The designers of the album artwork contributed their services for free, simply wanting to be a part of the project. The initial success of Power of Love, despite Zella's young age, brought the attention of BMG Publishing who connected her with John Paul White of the Civil Wars and an 18-year-old Meghan Trainor for writing sessions.

In 2012, Zella’s “Simple Song” would go on to be featured in the Tooth Fairy 2.

Cynics vs. Dreamers EP (2012) and After

Day self-released the Cynics vs. Dreamers EP on May 22, 2012. The EP captured a mesmerizing, dreamy soundscape rooted in Zella’s singer/songwriter upbringing with help from her newfound production team of Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry of Wax LTD.

That year so also released a cover The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army", which reached number one on Hype Machine's carts and drew attention to her increasing momentum. In 2013 Zella was featured on Sultan & Ned Shepard’s “All These Roads" alongside Sam Martin. The single which debuted in early October 2014 on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 broadcast was celebrated by Billboard for its “ebbs and flows with harmonies and rhythmic shifts, complementing [vocals delivered with gusto]."

Zella Day EP (2014)

"Sweet Ophelia” was the first single from the Zella Day EP to be released with the b-side “1965” in April 2014. Each track earned a top 10 position on Hype Machine’s chart. The “Sweet Ophelia” music video, directed by Gianennio Salucci, was released April 7, 2014 a day ahead of the 7” release by tastemaker B3Sci Records in coordination with Zella’s Pinetop Records, an imprint of Hollywood Records.

The full Zella Day EP was released on September 23, 2014. The EP was celebrated as an “intangible tapestry of sound and raw emotion, blanketing the pop, alternative, and folk genres” by Atwood magazine. Zella Day peaked at #16 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and garnered critical acclaim from The FADER, The Guardian (New Band of the Week), Pigeons and Planes, NYLON, The Line of Best Fit, Noisey (VICE), Interview Magazine, and Paste Magazine. The final track on the EP, “Hypnotic,” was picked as an iTunes Single of the Week and would go on to be featured as the second single from the album.

In December 2014, Zella was featured as a guest vocalist the acoustic version of Borns’ “Electric Lady” off their debut Candy EP.

Kicker (2015) and Present

On February 27, 2015 Zella announced Kicker by premiering the track listing and cover art alongside the music video for "Hypnotic". The video was directed by Gianennio Salucci and now boasts over 8 million views on Vevo. "Hypnotic" was featured as the lead single, reaching #1 on the Alt Nation Alt 18 Countdown at the start of 2015. In May 2015, Zella debuted the single "High", and performed it live the following month on Conan as her television debut.

Kicker was released June 2, 2015 via Pinetop Records and Hollywood Records. The album title references the old Arizona mining town where Zella’s parents married while exploring toxic relationships, breakups, broken homes, love and lust. Speaking about the album, Zella explains, “The music’s spiritual resonance is clearly influenced by the Northern Arizona mountains that sheltered my creative energy from any outside implications of city mentality.” In addition to the Wax LTD Team production, Julia Micheals helped to co-write “Shadow Preachers”.

Kicker was hailed as Zella's most intimate yet gorgeously expansive album yet and charted at number 65 on US Billboard 200 and number 7 on US Top Alternative. Interview Magazine praised Zella's uniquely "own charmed style” and BlackBook Magazine declared, “it’s safe to say this girl’s on her way to being a household name."

On December 17, 2015 Zella performed on Last Call With Carson Daly. On January 4, 2016 she performed "Hypnotic" on Late Night With Seth Myers. The 20-year-old’s third national TV appearance was followed by a number of high-profile festival performances at Billboard Hot 100 Fest, Music Midtown, and the iHeart Radio Music Festival. Zella’s debut at Coachella in 2016 caught the attention of Los Angeles Magazine, describing the performance as “hypnotic”, Billboard hailing her set as “stellar”, and Consequence of Sound exclaiming “it’s entirely possible that Zella Day looks back on Coachella 2016 as the moment that launched her career in the earnest…Day is an undeniably powerful vocalist."

On May 4, 2016 Zella Day was featured again as a musical guest on Last Call with Carson Daly, this time debuting her newest single, “Mustang Kids” live. As the latest single ahead of a headlining tour in June, “Mustang Kids” was officially released June 9, 2016 featuring a guest verse from Florida bred rapper Baby E. and a music video directed by Tim Mattia. Following the North American headlining tour in June 2016, Zella embarked on a supporting run with LA neo-soul outfit Fitz and The Tantrums throughout July and then another supporting slot with Michael Franti & Spearhead in August.

In October 2016, Zella released single “Man on the Moon” and announced a 7” release via B3Sci. November 2016 saw the digital premier of “Hunnie Pie” as b side to Man on the Moon 7”.

Zella has moved effortlessly between music and fashion, having been featured in in Teen Vogue, V Magazine, KENTON Magazine, The LATERALS, Playboy (fully clothed ‘Artist to Watch’ feature), as well as the Free People documentary. Her distinct role in the music/fashion crossover space has lead to partnerships with Free People, Cleobella, Coach, Maje, and appearances at NYFW 2016.