zzzahara + Stay In Nothing

zzzahara at The Victoria

Short Waves Presents:

zzzahara

Los Angeles artist zzzhara is a songwriter and musician whose work blends hazy, shoegaze-tinged textures with deeply personal storytelling. Their fourth album, Distant Lands (out June 5th on Lex Records, produced by Casey Lagos), marks a shift towards more introspective writing, moving beyond themes of romance to explore family, memory, and experiences with opioid addiction.

The album was sparked by a dream of their brother, who passed away when zzzahara was 12, and reflects a sense of existing between worlds - both emotionally and mentally. Drawing from feelings of disconnection and past struggles, Distant Lands embraces a more grounded and honest perspective, focusing on growth, acceptance, and living truthfully rather than perfectly.

Recent single “Speed Racer” captures this outlook, reflecting on the ebb and flow of life and the importance of trusting one’s journey, even in moments of uncertainty. Blending nostalgic references to their earlier work with a freer, more instinctive writing process, the track embodies the album’s wider themes of movement, reflection, and resilience.

With Distant Lands, zzzahara presents a body of work rooted in authenticity - an exploration of growing up in a non-traditional sense, shaped by both turbulence and acceptance, and driven by a commitment to follow what feels real.

Stay In Nothing

Stay in Nothing is a three-piece that delivers nostalgic and melancholic sounds. The band blends two worlds into one, shifting from a moody yet melodic dream, to a heavy wall of noise.