Stereophonics: Adam Zindani – interview

Adam Zindani, guitarist and co-songwriter for the iconic band Stereophonics, will be celebrating the unveiling of his debut solo album entitled Black Eyes Blue on 24 March 2023 (available for pre-order now).

While Adam’s influences were infused with rock, Black Eyes Blue might be somewhat of a surprise to those familiar with his music. While it still has elements of rock, Adam also explored other types of music like pop, soul, etc.. “It was rock music that got me into first playing the guitar” Adam says, “ but then the older I got, the more I found myself, realising I like lots of different types of music, and that leads us to the record I have today. What’s also really influenced me is my kids and listening to the stuff in lockdown that they were listening to, like, like The XX.”

Adam played with Northstar and Casino, however he is best known as the guitarist for Stereophonics, who also released their eighth studio album last year, reaching the UK charts. The album entitled Oochya! featured three co-writes by Adam, including the single Do Ya Feel My Love.

Adam has also released a new single called Should Have Known Better, a compelling and harmonic song which followed his single What About Love. Adam Zindani is a creative musical genius irresistibly seeking his own orbit. His new album shows strong individuality and imagination, displaying a divine quality. I spoke with Adam regarding his solo career, as well as that of with Stereophonics…..

Louder Than War: When you write a song what comes first the lyrics or the music?

AZ: Mostly the music. The vibe of it.

And what influences that?

Well many things. Depending on what instrument I’m playing. I find I write differently if I’m playing the bass or differently if I’m messing around with the keyboard then I do when I’m on the guitar. Because you change.

You’re coming out with this new album. I’ve heard some of it, and it’s really, really good. You were in Casino and then Stereophonics, that you’re still in. What inspired you to go solo?

I’ve always been a singer and a writer. So that never stopped. And then I’ve always written songs with Kelly that we’ve used on some of Stereophonics’ albums, so it’s something that I’ve never stopped doing. What’s changed for me was lockdown. All of a sudden I had lots and lots of time. I just thought “well I’m going to try to create something”. It was never my intention to make an album. It was such a strange process that the thing of being creative just took over with me. So it was never my intention to be a solo artist. It just happened. If that makes sense.

It does. But it’s cool because you’re a great solo artist. When you write a song with a band and then you go solo there’s got to be different elements involved in that.

Yes there are. And that’s the interesting part. When I was the singer in Casino I would always have the band in my mind. When you’re doing stuff in Stereophonics, Eddie writes 99% of the songs, so I’m only assuming it’s the same for him but you’ve always got the elements of the band in your mind when you are writing for them. As soon as you don’t have the band in your mind I found it to be a very, very freeing experience, from the point of view that you could explore different styles of music; more than you could with a band that was established. Even though it’s great, because the band is brilliant at being the band. Without the band it allowed you to wager off to different avenues to explore in different ways.

So when you set out to write a song do you wake up in the middle of the night and say “I’ve got a great idea” or do you just say “I’m going to write a song now because I’m in the mood”?

No I wish I could. Every song I’ve ever tried to write by saying “I’m going to sit down and write something” has been the worst song ever. So it usually happens for me in the morning actually, when I get up. Sometimes I just make myself a coffee, pick up the guitar, and usually within 10 minutes ideas come very quickly. I usually find if I am inspired without knowing it, something happens.

Have you had your ultimate stage fantasy yet or are you still looking for it?

I’ve been very lucky to play some pretty big places. Stadiums. I think to be able to play in a stadium is pretty impressive. So yes I have really. The ultimate stage fantasy would be to have all my heroes on the stage playing with me.

Who are your heroes?

How long have we got? If Jimi Hendrix could be there I’d be happy. If Prince could be there I’d be happy. Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye I could call out millions but that would be the ultimate fantasy. But I’m afraid that’s never going to happen.

Are you planning to tour solo?

I would like to yeah. I haven’t really thought about it too much. But I would love to. If people wanted to come and see me and listen, then that would be amazing.

If you could have me ask you any question on the planet, what would you want me to ask you? And keep in mind you have to answer it.

What was it like when you received the 10 times Platinum disk for your solo?

It was amazing. It was wonderful to receive the Grammy award for that solo…

Well maybe I can ask you that in the near future. Will we ever see you in New York?

I would love to come to New York and play. That would be amazing I would love that.

Are you working on or thinking about any other projects, either for yourself or with the band?

I’ve been writing quite a lot of new music. And that’s interesting because the new music I’ve been writing hasn’t been anything like the album. So that’s pretty cool. I’m kind of trying to get my mind around that. Because I really don’t know what to do with it. But I guess that’s about it really. I’m concentrating mainly on this record. Nothing in the near future as yet.

Just recently, Stereophonics had a new album – a year ago.

Yes we released that; that was more in the UK, we were very pleased with that. We’re really very busy and, as you know, when we’re not working we have big families. Lots of kids.

You can check Black Eyes Blue out here and here

Pre-order here

Watch lead single What About Love…

~

All words by Eileen Shapiro. More of Eileen’s writing can be found in her author’s archive.