"VIIR" VISION: L.A. Artist Makes Waves in Innovative Music through an EP

Reporter: Serenity Reynolds

Courtesy: Z the Author

LOS ANGELES- L.A.-based artist Z the Author, a.k.a Zavier Thompson, discusses the importance of creativity and personal input in his music, seen in his latest EP titled “VIIR”.

Featured on NPR’s 2021 Tiny Desk Contest, Thompson is a fully hands-on artist who produces, writes, and records all his own music. Although he sometimes collaborates with close friends to bring fresh perspectives, Thompson’s music expresses his deep, personal emotions for his listeners to connect to. “VIIR”, a play on words of his name, is what Thompson describes as a project of emotional creativity. His album serves as a creative departure from his normal work, as Thompson is “veering” in a direction he’s never ventured to in his seven years of being an artist. Since Thompson is baring his soul in his work, he hopes his listeners can be just as vulnerable when listening as well. 

“I really haven’t done any music that’s this dark or worked with material this raw before, so I hope that listeners can appreciate that and can be vulnerable with me,” said Thompson. 

In the creation of this EP, Thompson worked with producer Brian Alexander Morgan, who has worked with artists such as SWV, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Chris Brown. Thompson described how impactful the moment was when hearing Morgan explain the creation of SWV’s hit song “Weak” and having the chance to hear the original 1988 demo, which sparked Thompson’s desire to include R&B thematics in his project. 

“There’s a lineage that ties all of us through rhythm and blues from the earliest days of jazz and blues to now, I just wanted to pay homage to that,” Z said. “...And to legends and pillars in the industry and in my life, like Brian Alexander Morgan and Erykah Badu and, you know, put my heart into something, so that's what I did here.”

Each of the six songs on his EP spoke to Thompson’s creativity and storytelling capacity. The EP starts off with “Sensatiion”, which Z said was the first song he created for this project, and how it unknowingly started this album’s journey. Created at a late-night hour with no tempo or drums, Thompson said he was influenced by Bon Iver’s music to make the song sound futuristic and nostalgic. 

“That song was made that night, and it never changed. I never made edits…you’re hearing exactly how it came out,” said Thompson. 

Later in the EP is “Rescue Me”, which he initially created for other artists to use and outsource from different labels. One night, he decided to expand on that beat, adding drums, bass, and lyrics. Thompson then chose to keep the track because of how raw it sounded. The song has minimal edits or post-production changes, which he says was inspired by R&B artist D’Angelo and how his work is unpolished, yet beautiful. This track led to the theme of the rest of his songs to be as untouched as possible and to have an authentic feel to the album. 

The EP ends with "Take iit Back", which is a loop of a different song’s ending, pitched down, and features Thompson speaking in the background. The song’s looping and distortion are meant to mimic meditation or transformation through repetition. 

“One thing that I've been experimenting with, similar to atmospheres in my music, is this idea of meditating on a musical idea for a long enough time to where you start to imagine new things from it,” he said.. 

Thompson said this song, placed last for a reason, was to create an “infinite” listening experience and a moment that continues without end. 

With “VIIR” overall, Z wants listeners to know and understand that it's okay to be vulnerable and emotional. He urges his listeners to face parts of themselves they might be avoiding and understand that life isn't about having all the answers but remembering the questions that shape us.

“I think life is more about not forgetting that there are questions around us and there are questions about our morality and our emotional states,” he said. “I want people to walk away from this album, knowing that it's OK to feel a certain way about something, to express and go through that,  and not run away from that.” 

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Thompson gained attention for his song "Khali's Interlude,” which was inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests, he told NPR in an article back in 2021. Even since then, Thompson's music has always been about a self-expression of identity, while adding in themes of hip-hop, R&B, and rap. 

As for what’s next, Z said he’s in no rush to move on from “VIIR”.

“I'm really trying to push this, as far as my heart can take it, and I feel like my heart can go a long way with it because it was a long way coming,” he said. 

Thompson is looking to perform this EP live and connect with audiences on this project, not only in LA, but other cities as well. 

“I want to feel people's energy and receive what they're receiving from the album,” he said. “I want that transparency, so I want to definitely perform a lot more and get on stage.”

As for his upcoming work, he said he enjoyed getting in touch with this side of him and wants to stick to more emotional and expressive music in the future.