Discover how an indie artist transformed her first song into a polished masterpiece, blending raw emotion with professional quality.

Most indie artists get lost in the noise—unless you're Ariel Vizzini, who’s straight-up rewriting the rulebook. She’s a Mississippi native turned Utah sound wizard, dressing her pain in glitter and seamlessly blending vulnerability with polished, radio-ready pop. Spoiler: her secret sauce is taking raw emotion and smothering it in sparkles—because who says you can’t be deep AND dazzling?

In this episode, Ariel drops truth bombs about her DIY production journey, from battling the dreaded “compression” mystique to crafting a signature sound built on honest vocals and layered personality. You'll discover why she deliberately keeps her music off streaming giants for now, how her musical theater roots influence her mixing, and her bold stance on smashing the “starving artist” stereotype—she’s here to show that following your passion can be powerful, not petty.

We break down:

• The art of turning life's messy journal entries into addictive melodies
• Navigating the psychological rollercoaster of self-doubt vs. confidence
• Her unique approach to vocal play: raw, dynamic, and sometimes “accidentally too far from the mic”
• How her musical DNA, from Thunderhead’s Southern Rock roots to indie glam, shapes her evolving sound
• The importance of authenticity in a world obsessed with perfection

Connect with Z Frequency: https://zfrequency.com

Subscribe to The ZHZ Podcast: https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

Join Zak and Matt every week as we talk music production, mixing, marketing, and sit down with the artists who are actually doing the work. Don't forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

Support the Guest:

- Follow Ariel Vizzini: linktr.ee/arielvizzini linktr.ee/arielvizzini

- Stream her latest music: https://arielvizzini.bandcamp.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:38 Ariel's Musical Journey

07:44 The Art of Mixing and Production

10:19 Exploring Unique Sound and Style

13:09 Lyrics and Emotional Connection

18:41 Ariel's Career and Creative Process

25:03 The Glittered Grief Aesthetic

27:00 Understanding Compression in Music Production

33:45 Songwriting Processes and Collaboration

41:31 High School Musical Memories

44:42 Balancing Art and Stability

47:09 The Challenge of Live Performances

51:55 Exploring Musical Influences and Genres

01:01:36 Ariel's Musical Journey: Distribution and Growth

01:05:29 The Authenticity of the Artist

01:07:08 Shoutouts and Support Systems

01:09:03 The Challenges of Music Production

01:11:02 The Soundtrack of Life: Personal Connections in Music

Ever felt like music is just noise and not a journey? Buckle up, because today’s Z Frequency Spotlight takes us into the moody, cinematic world of Briauna, a self-taught indie dark pop artist who’s not just creating tunes; she’s crafting atmospheres. Imagine Lana Del Rey meets Danny Elfman.

In this mini episode, I explore:

- How Briauna’s raw, instinct-driven songwriting creates vulnerability that resonates deeply.

- The influences that shape her ambient, eerie storytelling, including a playlist featuring Lana Del Rey and Elfman.

- The significance of community and collaboration in the indie scene.

- Why Briauna’s new single “Lobotomy” tackles heavy themes, such as erasing memories and confronting darkness.

- Two must-listen tracks: “Skeleton Boy” and “Tired,” emphasizing the importance of mood and message.

- The power of focusing on “what I’m learning” rather than dwelling on what’s wrong.

Connect with Briauna:

- Instagram: https://instagram.com/briauna.official

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gH1iS0bw6ulgsnvOWH1td?si=56k0BYPDSUaVn5ivOvc4SQ

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH1y7dGhv3M8HyaqvacVgAg

- Booking: https://briaunamusic.kit.com/d6f401f3f4

Most importantly, support Briauna by streaming her singles, sharing her story, and following her creative journey. Peace out!

For more, visit: https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

Chapters:

00:00: Introducing Brianna: The Dark Pop Artist

02:24: Exploring Brianna’s New Single ‘Lobotomy’

03:23: The Importance of Collaboration and Community

The Gilder Era is here! Indie pop artist Charlie Gilder breaks down his mindset, the "Play the Game" philosophy, and finding your sound on the ZHZ Podcast.

In this episode of the ZHZ Podcast, Zak and Matt sit down with musician and producer Charlie Gilder to dive deep into his artistic journey. We talk about the transition into "The Gilder Era," the grit required to make it as an indie pop artist today, and what it really means to "play the game" in the modern music industry. Charlie shares the stories behind his latest tracks, his creative process in the studio, and why having the right mindset is the only thing that keeps you moving forward as a creator.

Support & Follow Charlie Gilder:

Charlie is making waves in the indie pop scene—make sure you’re following the journey and streaming the latest tracks:

* Official Website & Hub: https://gilder-prod.square.site

* Listen on Spotify: Stream “ITOLDYA” and more https://open.spotify.com/track/4r6Hs2yVVzXC5TGgXp84UF?si=Y8DB8yvNR16lMRrtHSSPYg

Connect with the ZHZ Podcast:

Love the conversation? Discover more episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive content from Zak and Matt at our main hub:

👉 https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all things Z Frequency and the ZHZ Podcast!

Chapters:

00:00 I Didn't Wake Up to Be Average

01:03 The Real Reason We Do This

10:18 Rapid Fire Round

21:31 Music as the Soundtrack to Life

25:35 Outro

#independentmusic #artistinterview #zhzpodcast