FEATURE
Muzique Magazine Interview with Zoey Tess
Zoey Tess Loglisci (born January 1, 1993), known professionally as Zoey Tess, is an American singer and songwriter. Her aunt is veteran television actress Corinne Camacho. Tess just released her 2023 singles ‘Turn Me Up’ and ‘Human Nature’ worldwide.
Tess is currently working with music manager Karen Ross of Ross Celebrity PR and Music Management who spent much of her career alongside legendary record producer and composer Phil Ramone. Ross and Tess are cultivating a catalog of larger-than-life music for film and television soundtracks.
How did you come by your stage name?
My full name is Zoey Tess Loglisci. It’s funny because growing up no one could ever pronounce or spell my last name. When I started writing music, recording, and performing, I got so frustrated every time I had to spell it out or sound it out for people. I decided to drop my last name and use Zoey Tess. It’s a lot easier. Zoey Tess is my confidant, pop, alter-ego!
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
When I was four, I remember my brother took piano lessons. It gave me the music bug and it also inspired me to want to play. I began to teach myself with my brother’s music books. I started to take lessons shortly after. I’ve always had a love for classical music, and I loved studying classical music. My parents were extremely supportive and helped foster my talents by providing piano, violin, and classical singing lessons.
My mom used to have the same CDs on repeat in the car growing up. Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Alicia Keys. I loved Alicia Keys and thought she was so great. I really respected that she was a classically trained pianist that used that foundation to create her own style and sound.
One day when I was in elementary school, my aunt picked me up from school. When I got in the car, she told me she had just purchased a cd by an artist named Christina Aguilera. When we listened to the album, I was instantly obsessed with ‘Genie in a Bottle’.
For Christmas, my aunt bought me a VHS tape that taught you all the dance moves to ‘Genie’. I sat in the basement and practiced until the tape broke. The tape began to unravel. My aunt took it back to the store to return, but they were sold out. So instead, she got me the ‘Baby One More Time’ version by Britney Spears. I was thrilled!
I learned I loved to entertain and sing. The late 90’s pop movement (Britney, Christina, *NSYNC) really shaped and influenced what I write, even to this day. Max Martin, who wrote most of the pop music during that era is one of my biggest influences and inspirations.
I started writing music when I was in middle school. I used to bring my new songs to my music teacher Jake during school and I would play them for him. He would later produce some of my records. In middle school, he would send me home with chord charts and revisions.
He really taught me how to structure a song and gave me the best constructive criticism, which I really took to heart. He told me that he saw a huge potential for making a career of singing and songwriting. He could be brutally honest because he wanted me to strive to be the best version of myself.
I think the moment I decided I wanted to pursue a career in music was when I was asked to sing the National Anthem for a charity event at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. It was like skydiving. The adrenaline and pure fear of waiting, walking out to the center of the hockey rink made my stomach flip.
I felt like I was going to pass out because I was so nervous but when it was over people were clapping and I felt like I had just jumped out of a plane. My nerves were gone. It was the greatest thrill I’ve ever felt. At that moment I knew that this is what I wanted to pursue in life as a career. I was infatuated with the audience’s reaction, I felt validated by their applause.
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
Growing up, I saw pictures and videos of my Aunt Corinne Camacho in television shows (Magnum P.I., The Bionic Woman, M*A*S*H) and thought she was the most beautiful, glamorous woman in the world. She was such a timeless beauty. I hoped to follow in her footsteps but what I most admired was her kindness and giving nature. To me, kindness is the greatest thing you can wear.
My style is always changing. Some days I feel like a skater girl and some days I feel like dressing like a glamorous, old-Hollywood star! The style from that era was so dramatic and larger-than-life. That’s the fun part, you can be anyone you want! Your style can always change. Most days you can find me in my mickey mouse t-shirt, sweatpants, and my hair in a messy bun. I love to be comfortable when I’m writing and recording music.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
I was writing a lot of music for other artists and bands for years. I was able to write so many different styles and genres of music. I really enjoy listening to a wide range of artists, from 70’s classic rock (The Eagles, Neil Young, Crosby Stills, and Nash) to singer-songwriters like Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchell, and Janis Ian. Janis Ian is such a brilliant songwriter and is one of my favorite artists.
In 2017 I began working with record producer Vic Steffens (Horizon Music Group), whose credits include studio work with The Rolling Stones, Harry Connick Jr, and Donovan. At the time, I started out as an intern for Horizon.
Vic was gracious enough to let me utilize the studio to learn music engineering and the production side of things. I played him what I had been working on and he asked me “Why don’t you start recording and releasing your own compositions?” I really respected his ear for music and for him to say that meant a lot to me. So, I decided to take his advice.
It’s been so exciting releasing my own music. It feels so full circle being an artist, yet I will always love hearing an artist record a song that I’ve written. It’s such a surreal feeling!
My latest singles ‘Turn Me Up’ and ‘Human Nature’ were inspired by the 90’s pop music I grew up listening to. It’s just feel-good pop music. So uncomplicated but so much fun. Whenever I write a song, I create a character for the song and I kind of create a story or little movie in my head of who or what that character would do.
‘Turn Me Up’ is about a girl who meets a guy at a club. She struggles with the concepts of right and wrong when it comes to her inhibitions. She eventually becomes the girl who is confident, the girl that calls the shots. I love songwriting because we create these characters where you can be whoever you dream of being within the world of that song.
‘Turn Me Up’ is such a club banger. I wrote the music and lyrics in thirty minutes, created all the instrumental tracks by myself, and then recorded the vocals in a few hours. I love being hands-on when it comes to production. I love Logic and Pro-Tools. It sounds nerdy but there’s something mathematical about using those programs, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle.
Muzique Magazine Interview with Zoey Tess
‘Human Nature deals with similar concepts of right and wrong and giving in to our human desires. After all, it’s human nature. You can tell I was listening to a lot of Janet Jackson when I wrote and recorded it. I brought a piano/vocal demo to my friend and former teacher Jake Siberon. He loved it! He is so talented and can play most instruments proficiently.
He created the instrumental tracks within a day. I had this idea to add an electric guitar to a lot of the electronic sounds. The dichotomy of those two sounds made for a cool, futuristic-sounding track. Jake and I have such a great working relationship. I can send him a demo, providing him with only a few words to describe my vision and he gets it. He just gets it.
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
When it comes to writing, if something doesn’t come to me immediately, I might get frustrated. I can spend time obsessing over one line or word. If I’m feeling stifled, I try to change focus and start working a new song. Eventually, I come back to it with a clear mind. Most of my compositions are organically written and come from the heart. I write a lot of songs within an hour. It has to come naturally.
On the other hand, I am extremely dedicated when it comes to the production side of things. When I’m rehearsing or performing, I have that same work ethic. It’s true, I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but I’m learning that sometimes there’s more beauty in imperfection. Marilyn Monroe said that!
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
I’m very confident in the work that I’ve done and the quality that I put out. I do know my strengths when it comes to songwriting, and I think everyone brings their own unique experiences and story to the table. That’s the greatest thing about artists, we all have a story to tell.
Being a songwriter is like being an actor, you really have to dig deep and go to those places that aren’t always comfortable. You have to be raw. All we can do is be the most vulnerable and authentic version of ourselves. I think that’s what I’m best at.
What are your plans for the near future?
My manager Karen Ross (Ross Celebrity PR and Music Management) and I have been in the works on an immense project for the last year with this one song that I’ve written. An artist that Karen works with cut the record with her producer and it was just magic.
It’s a very universal song that everyone can relate to. Written with a movie soundtrack in mind. The feedback has been so incredible. We were all blown away. We are so excited for the world to hear what we’ve been working on! Karen and I have built such an amazing catalog and are working to create a publishing company.
I am now back in the studio, writing and recording some new records. I look forward to releasing new music very soon! For now, I’m just having a blast and leaving the rest to the universe…
For myself personally, I am so elated to be getting married this October! I met the love of my life, Jay, four years ago. We got engaged in January of this year and our wedding is in October at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. We are very excited about what the future holds.
How can fans find you?
My latest singles ‘Turn Me Up’ and ‘Human Nature’ are now available on all major streaming platforms. You can follow me on Instagram @zoeytess and visit www.zoeytess.com for the latest!
My social media links are
Official Website: www.zoeytess.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeytess/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoeytessofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ToYaCU0QQLRfdeYKtjlkl
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/zoey-tess/1501946453
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