This is an interview done with Delilah Brao, read her story below! If you, or anyone you know, would like to be highlighted in The Zillennial Zine, shoot us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram!
Q: Tell us your story! Where did you begin and how did you reach the caliber you’re currently
at?
A: When I was a kid I did musical theater. I learned piano, sax, and oboe and played in jazz and concert bands. I also wrote arrangements for and led an a cappella group. In the summers, I did online classes through Berklee Online to learn music theory and ear training. I was a typical music nerd. I always knew I wanted to go to Berklee College of Music. I practically lived in the studio at Berklee. I’d go to whatever session I could get my hands on. I graduated from Berklee with a degree in Music Production and Engineering in 2021. I graduated when school was remote, so I moved to LA in 2020 and started doing lots of writing sessions. In 2021, I started writing and producing my debut EP, “Since You’re In New York.” I released the lead single “Over The Phone” and its corresponding music video last month. I’m really into directing music videos right now. You can do anything with an iPhone and some friends. I’m always trying to throw myself into the next thing. I think that’s important.
What makes you love what you do? How long have you been making music? Would you call it your passion?
I’ve always thought of the songs I write as little time capsules of a past version of myself. A song can totally bring you back to a moment – especially when you wrote it. That’s so cool to me. I feel the way my 19, 20, 21 year old self felt when I listen to songs I wrote at the time. Music can transport you emotionally like that.
I started making music in the back seat of my family’s 12-passenger van. As the youngest of five children, I was dragged along to my older siblings’ sports games, which were endless. The only redeeming part of being toted along on my sibling’s athletic expeditions was when my mom and
I could be alone in the van. We would sit in the van with the engine running and the radio on during rainy baseball games and windy soccer games and we would write songs together. My first song was an Easter song called “Where Do Jelly Beans Come From?” That Christmas, my parents got me a tape recorder that printed to cassette so I could record my songs. I’d sing about all my first grade heartbreak until I filled the whole tape.
What are some accomplishments or milestones you’ve reached lately?
Making a music video was a super cool milestone! I had always dreamed of making one so I just decided why not? I made the “Over The Phone” music video with my best friends. The video follows me around New York for the most part. We went to a bunch of my favorite scenic spots as well as some classic New York locations. I was really unhappy at that point in my life and the video sort of shows that. Ultimately, the video ends in LA which is where I decided to move in order to pursue my career even though I knew it would probably cause my breakup. I’m moving on to directing some more visual projects as well. It’s really cool to expand your artistry to other avenues.
Tell us about “Over The Phone”!!
Where do I start?! Over The Phone tells the story of my breakup with this guy. We were long distance and broke up on a FaceTime call. I tried to keep the song pretty specific to the call – details like where to mail my stuff I left there, if he can keep my Hulu password to finish watching “How I Met Your Mother,” even the crackle on the line. I wrote the song with Matthew James Hemmer. We finished it in one cowriting session. The words just kind of flowed out of me. That sometimes happens when you have so much to say. I brought the demo to Justin Lucas and we finished the song together. So much of the original demo stayed in the final cut of the song. I love that about this song.
Do you have any advice for someone who is starting music?
Don’t be afraid of being uncomfortable. Nothing interesting happens when you’re comfortable. Always challenge yourself as an artist. It’s so hard to be vulnerable with strangers but it’s part of the craft. You can’t be so afraid of failing or being too personal that you just go halfway on everything.
What do you want our readers to know about you and your music?
That there’s a lot to be excited for in the new year! I’m releasing a bunch more songs and art. There is really something for everyone on my debut EP. It has sad songs, angry songs, and introspective songs too. We can dance and cry or curl in a ball and cry – this EP will have you crying in all different vibes. I can’t wait to finally have it out in the world and hear what people think about it.
Anything else you would like to add?
There are so many more songs and videos coming. If you want to hear them you should follow me! And you can look on my TikTok for any unreleased content or acoustic versions or just fun stories from my life. Thank you for listening and supporting me!
Check out Delilah Brao on social media!
Instagram: @delilahbrao
TikTok: @delilahbrao
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