We’re back with another installation of our latest series, TuneCore Tuesdays, which aims to highlight artists and other music professionals who are writing, recording, and hustling on their own terms. By showcasing creatives doing it their way all over the globe, TuneCore Tuesdays aims to empower and inspire our diverse community of artists.
This week we caught up with TuneCore artist Zach Benson who shares his journey with music so far and how he has created an inclusive community of fans through his passion for performing.
For as long as he can remember, the eclectic pop performer, songwriter, and producer Zach Benson has been performing and expressing himself through music.
Growing up, whenever he had the opportunity to perform, whether it was a school play or a talent show, he was always inspired by artists who took the stage and created a genuine connection with their audiences. His experience performing took off as he began playing local shows in bands and posting acoustic covers on his YouTube channel.
It wasn’t until entering college that Benson began taking up music production. “That’s when I felt like I could truly express exactly what was in my head,” he shares.
Benson began finding inspiration through some of his favorite artists like CHVRCHES and The 1975, as well as fellow independent musicians in the queer pop space.
Performing live shows was what really took Benson’s music career to the next level as he began to develop a loyal following of fans. Before the pandemic hit, Benson was even able to nearly sell out a venue for the first time.
“Forming a connection with your audience is the best way to get people to stay engaged with what you’re doing. If I could walk away from a live show having made one person feel like they were seen, I was doing my job,” Benson says.
Collaborating with other artists has also played a major role in Benson’s music journey so far. “Collaboration has been key for me over the last year. I get so excited to get into rooms with other musicians to bounce ideas off each other. My favorite songs that I’ve made so far are the ones I’ve made with friends,” he says.
As an independent artist, TuneCore has been an extremely valuable tool while making the distribution process straightforward for Benson so that he can focus on what’s most important: his music.
“TuneCore has give me the analytics and information to know exactly who’s listening to my music. I thought for a long time that only true path success was achieved through a major label. I can see now that all the tools are in front of you. TuneCore gives you all of those tools on one page. I’m able to better tailor my promotion based on the streaming platforms where I’m getting the most plays,” Benson shares.
It’s no question that with his unique passion and talent for his artistry, Benson has plenty to look forward to as he continues to develop his music career and reach new audiences. “As soon as lockdowns are lifted, I’m ready to get back in front of crowds to create more special moments.”