Calling London her home, but constantly in motion, Ona Tzar is a multi-faceted independent artist, producer, singer, creative director and performer. A truly committed innovator, she takes charge of her creative process in full, an ability that makes her able to output highly unique and personal material. In a sense, Ona Tzar’s music is not just music, but rather performative art, a complete multi-medium experience that’s bound to shake you at your core.
Ranging from low, guttural tones to high, breathy melodies, Ona Tzar pursues experimental soundscapes and edgy beats. Her latest effort, ‘Chains of Angels’, is perhaps one of the best examples of that. On a bed of ethereal yet intense electronica, we found the Londoner’s dynamic vocals, heavily treated in distortion and reverb.
‘Chains of Angels’ has its own dedicated video clip, a sensorial and visual journey into the project’s imagery. Intrigued by the song, we caught up with Ona Tzar to find out more about her artistry. Interview below!
Hey Ona Tzar, how is it going? some of our readers might not be familiar with your project, how would you describe yourself, in a few words?
I sing, produce, dance, and do visual as well as cinematic direction. Quite hands-on with every aspect and angle of the creative process. 🙂
Your current work is the result of a long journey; What first drew you to making music?
I’ve always wrestled with too many creative ideas and mediums; pulled in myriad directions. Music was a very big part of my upbringing, but electronic music was always the one medium that tugged at my soul strings the hardest, but also somehow felt the most daunting and intimidating to commence in the ways I wanted to. Just let the pressure build until a big pop and I couldn’t take it any longer, I suppose 😉 I like that within the music medium I can incorporate various aspects of creativity within the umbrella, from movement to sonic, to visual.
If you had the opportunity to pick any artists in the world for a collaboration, who would be your first choice? (and second choice, perhaps?)
Sega Bodega, Tricky, David Lynch.
You recently released an evocative and mesmerizing video for your single ‘Chains of Angels’. In it, we get a glimpse of the visually complex universe accompanying your music. What were your inspirations, in regards to scenery and visuals?
I often think of myself as more of a visual artist, painting with sounds. Sometimes the songs tell me what the visual narrative will be about, and vice versa. I am merely just a channel and vessel, streaming and beaming an ever-present current of themes and ideas from the ethers above, waters below, and universal spheres. I don’t reach too hard; I just let the ideas flow, and in this instance, what wanted to be written and born were themes around oppression and liberation, in their many forms.
Do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
Alone! I am a big introvert and loner at core, and the true madness and flow for me are often born in secrecy and solitude.
It is interesting to note that the video is done 100% by you, independently. How are you coping with the pressure of being a solo artist in an industry that requires constant content?
I would just love to note that I did have a wonderful DOP/videographer on the team (and accompanying tech help), so can’t say 100 % 😉 As far as constant content; honestly, when you are doing most all angles on your own, from producing to vocal recording to directing and editing and marketing; it’s a lot of work, and it takes time. I’ve had people wonder why I am taking so long to release something we worked on, but I don’t think they always fully realize how many angles I am tending to on my own without proper help or budget.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
I am my own worst critic and never meet my standards, or seem to create exactly the way I’d like to (if there is such a thing). So between that and being so hands-on in every process, sometimes can get in my own way and stall.
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
Finishing up some singles, preparing the next video world, and mostly preparing my live set to perform soon.
