ZOE KO TALKS RIB CAGE

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

When did you write 'Rib Cage'?

I wrote 'Rib Cage' about a year ago now, it was such a special song for me to write. I had just started falling in love and feeling that feeling I always get when I love someone. That feeling that someone feels like home. I moved so much growing up and never felt the typical feeling of homesickness attached to a place but rather people. 

Though now having these people in life to be homey with you previously talked about having been quite lonely growing up, raised by a single mom. Would you say songwriting in that was home for you too?

I would love to say that music was my best friend growing up. I never had too many consistent friends, homes and routines. But music could go with me wherever I went. Music is always something I could rely on and it still is now. 

Who did you write this song with?

I wrote this song with Jonny Shorr, my producer and co-writer, and Catie Turner an amazing artist I have admired for years. I specially held off writing the song with anyone else because I knew the three of us would be the perfect pairing to make the song come to life. 

Still in your early twenties-era of music and already in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. What would the seven-year old who just wanted to sing for her grandpa think about all this?

Oh my god, it is absolutely crazy to think of how far I have come in such little time. I feel so lucky and grateful constantly. I know my grandpa would be proud and that little Zoe would be absolutely flabbergasted. Pipe dreams always seem so far away but now that I am here I get to dream even bigger. 

What kind of a life and art is it you hope to be able to look back on when you're an old gran yourself?

Honestly I don’t feel like every song of mine has to fill some all encompassing purpose. It’s just a song. I can and will write hundreds of songs. As long as I feel happy and proud of the song I put out into the world I’ll be pleased with that. 

Do you prefer to let inspiration find you or are you always writing?

I definitely still and will always write from experiences, that is why it is so important to keep having adventures and living the life! Every little special moment to me can be turned into a song. I definitely try and pull inspiration out of me in a timely manner for the sake of continuing to be prolific but I do not ever force a song to exist if it’s not feeling right. 

'Rib Cage' is just one of many recent singles, as you are rolling out your debut—EP. How many more singles will there be?

I cannot wait for my EP 'Baby Teeth' to be in the world’s hands! It’s been such a dream to release a project and now that day is quickly approaching! There are five songs on the EP. My next single 'Baby Teeth' is the final single off the project but the EP drops a little later!

What's your typical release day-mood like?

Oh wow to be honest release days are crazy days. I think the universe just decided to make it either the best day ever or the worst day. Release-days are so intimidating but exciting at the same time it’s quite funny. I’ve had literally some of the worst days of my life on release days and some of the best. And that is separate to how the song does, it’s just other outside things going wrong or great (laughs).

You are out performing a lot on stage. When will you head out on a world tour?

Oh man! I literally cannot wait to tour more. It was so addicting on the last tour. I caught the performing bug, and now I just want to do it for the rest of my life. I will do some smaller local shows in Los Angeles and New York City for the EP. And hopefully get on tour next year!