Zach Haselow Releases "Cruel For The Summer" and We Talked to Him About the Raw Story Behind the Music
- STAFF
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
By: Staff
Zach Haselow delivers a soul-stirring masterclass in vulnerability and artistry with "Cruel For The Summer"
Zach Haselow Drops "Cruel For The Summer" — and Pulls No Punches in the Process
With his new single "Cruel For The Summer," Zach Haselow invites listeners into a world that’s far from picture-perfect. The track doesn't just tell a story, it confronts one, blending vulnerability with quiet defiance and packaging it in a sound that hits harder the closer you listen. There’s something undeniably arresting about this release. It leaves you with more questions than answers, the kind that can only come from lived experience.
In our interview, Zach opens up about the inspiration behind the song, the creative partnership that helped shape it, and the emotional weight of sharing something this personal.
What you’ll find is an artist who isn’t chasing the spotlight, but who’s still impossible to ignore.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Here’s how it went:
Hello Zach Haselow, we’re thrilled to talk to you for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Zach Haselow: First of all I want to say I feel very honored to be interviewed by you and I have a lot of respect for the independent music scene and all of the passionate creative professionals behind every successful artist.
Q. For the fans meeting you for the first time, is Zach Haselow your given name or a stage name? What inspired you to choose that for your artist persona?
A. Yes! That's my real legal name. My last name is pronounced "hazlo". I chose not to have a stage name or pseudonym because nothing I came up with ever felt fitting and all encompassing. So, I decided to keep it simple and vulnerable which felt more authentic to myself as an artist. I am a multifaceted artist with many creative outlets so, it also felt important to keep things simple and unambiguous - so that my work, whether music or visual art/ graphic design, could be immediately identified as mine.
Q. We loved your vocals. Love is probably too small a word. We were floored, and you are definitely our new favorite artist. When did you discover your voice, and what was the turning point in your life that converted you from singing in the mirror to singing in professional recording settings?
A. First of all - what an incredibly generous compliment and deeply validating set of words! I hope to continue to live up to your connection to my art. I feel so honored and humbled to be your FAVORITE! I grew up in a music household. My dad is an incredible vocalist with crazy hair metal level range and solid guitar skills. My mom was always contemporary and kept up on Pop music by belting out Justin Timberlake in the car while running errands. I like to think my music career started when I joined my middle school choir - I fell in love. The structure, harmonies, tonality - I was captivated by music. This carried into high school where an old friend and I started making dubstep on his laptop. I put my voice to the side for several years and almost signed on with a small dance music label as a beatmaker/producer. When the contract fell through, I knew it was time to pivot to songwriting and using my voice. 7 years of bumps later and here we are.
Q. As a teaser description, what would you tell someone about this song to intrigue them about its meaning and get them interested in listening to it?
A. Oh man. I would say this song is about me being fully honest and bearing my scars.
Q. "Cruel For The Summer" touches on the complexities of being in a relationship with an addict. What was the emotional and creative turning point that led you to write this song, and why did you feel compelled to share such a personal experience?
A. Addiction is something I grew up around. Several people in my family have struggled so I feel deeply empathetic about the experience of this disease and how it affects not only the addict, but the family and friends of the addict. It's a deeply personal topic to me. When I started dating an addict, my naive, early 20s mind decided that I could handle this. I was so infatuated with the idea of this broken man and how I could fix him. Now, years later, it felt like a really important lesson, and time to reflect on, after the acute pain had subsided and I had grown up a little more, so my perspective became more nuanced.
Q. You've called this song the most personal and darkest piece you've released. How did it feel to put something so raw out into the world, and how have you navigated the emotional vulnerability that comes with sharing your story? Has this process helped you heal, or has it reopened some wounds? Where do you stand emotionally now that it's out there?
A. It's been such an incredible act of healing and self-forgiveness to the younger version of me. It's a reminder of how far I have come and how much better I can be as a person and artist. I think when I perform the song, my mind wanders back to that time to bring forth the emotion, but it feels more like a memory. I believe it is my duty as an artist to talk about the uncomfortable, humiliating things that we all experience. I feel honored to be a voice for that.
Q. Your creative partnership with James seems to be key to the song's success. Can you share more about how you two first connected and what made you decide to collaborate on "Cruel For The Summer"? What was the energy like in the studio during the creation of this track?
A. Shoutout to James Harker of the band "Spirit of the Bear"! Such a deeply talented musician. I couldn't have made the song without him. We met a few years back when I was writing worse songs LOL. I had recorded some vocals at the studio he co-owned. So fast forward to this year, I was looking for a producer to work with to bring the song to life. I had written all the lyrics and recorded an incredibly rough demo. From the jump, I wanted to work with James on the vocals, but he responded to an ad I put out on instagram expressing his interest in doing the full production. I was sold. The first session was slightly disjointed and I was super unhappy with my vocal delivery, but the energy was calm and we made some crazy good progress. I think the second session is where the song really came to life. We re-recorded the lead vocal and that take just poured out of me. He kept adding sounds and mixing as we went along and I just felt this cohesion about how the record was coming together. That day, he admitted to me that he was nervous during the first session because the sound we were making together was such a big departure from what he's used to. I admitted the same thing. Then he said that he's so excited about it and can't wait to continue working with me. It just all felt really good and natural. Support local artists!
Q. Having opened up in such a profound way, how do you hope listeners will connect with your journey in the song? What do you want them to take away from it, emotionally and personally?
A. It's incredibly cliche, but as a queer man who's made some bad decisions in the name of love, I just want people to feel a little less alone. If I can make the queer kids from small, rural towns feel seen and represented in my work, I have done my job. This one goes out to the quiet queers who never felt comfortable in their own skin as a kid.
Q. You mentioned stepping out of your comfort zones during the recording process. Was there a specific moment in the studio that challenged you creatively? How did you overcome that obstacle, and how did you and James push each other to create something fresh and exciting?
A. Definitely! Like I mentioned, the first session felt unsure and a bit unspoken. I gave James full artistic license to pull me away from my habits and try something totally new - it was a challenge, but the payoff was so worth it. The song really flowed out and James had such solid ideas, and he really didn't get hung up very often. What made this powerful was that it kind of brought us both out of a funk. I had put music down for a couple years to finish my BFA in Graphic Design and James was dealing with some personal stuff - the song was a new spark. I think I have grown to recognize when it's time to push my artistic narrative in a new direction. Knowing yourself is so huge. I want to continue to learn about myself and explore.
Q. While you're working on an EP, you've expressed uncertainty about being in the spotlight. What aspects of music-making excite you the most—writing, collaborating, or producing? And why do you feel being the center of attention doesn’t quite align with your goals?
A. I have always (and continue to do so) vacillated between being the face of my artistry or supporting someone else's project - whether that be through toplining, songwriting, production, demos etc. I guess I never felt "marketable" in the traditional recording artist sense, and I have never deeply felt the need for public recognition or fame. I want and need to be creating music whether I am at the forefront or not. I just want my seat at the table. So, suffice it to say, I am not anti-center of attention, it's just not my motivator - I could care less.
Q. Your anti-fashion, minimalistic branding focuses on the art rather than the artist's image. How does this approach influence your relationship with your audience and your sense of artistic identity?
A. This was important to me and I thought long and hard about how to art direct my brand. Being that my focus is the art, not myself, the brand needed to reflect that. I keep calling my aesthetic "high fashion goblincore" because I am just wearing an old bleach stained hoodie, dirty Carhartt's and some Vans in a messy living room, but the way I am shot is editorial, expressionistic and moody. My brand feels like me, because it is me - and it's attainable for anyone. Growing up in Alaska, Carhartt's and hoodies were the dominant fashion and I want to represent and amplify my roots in an artistic and grounded way.
Q. James mentioned that after your first studio session, "This song has been stuck in my head for two weeks." How did it feel to know that your creation resonated so deeply with him? Does this kind of reaction shape your direction for future collaborations or even change the way you approach your music?
A. Oh I was over the moon! Coming from someone like James, I felt so validated and it really reignited my passion for songwriting. These moments are what make you want to keep going. Of course at the core, you have to have confidence and know yourself, but external validation is a cherry on top. I think the reaction just reinforced how artistically aligned we were and hopefully continue to be on the rest of the EP - only one way to find out!
Q. Do you have a favorite song from your early years of listening to your favorite bands—one of your favorite artists you'd love to cover in the studio because it still feels deeply connected to who you are today?
A. One song I'd love to cover someday is Far Behind by Candlebox. They were a core part of that 90's grunge Seattle era and the song always reminds me of riding in my Dad's truck as a kid. There is a deep seated angst that I hold within me and a well-fed inner child, so this song feels appropriate.
Q. Many artists hit a few walls along the way. Have there been times you questioned continuing with music? What helped you stay committed to your path?
A. Are you really an artist if you haven't been rejected from multiple record labels, played shows to 6 people, worked thankless service industry jobs for years and cried over your own emotional exhaustion all while scraping together enough cash to go see your favorite artist? Of course I have questioned it, my family still questions it, I definitely STILL question it. What keeps me going, is that I have an endless well of delusional self-belief. I will not stop until I make my inner world come to life - or I'll die trying. You can't fail, if you don't quit.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. I think most people would say their parents, and my parents are great, albeit a little skeptical - which is fair. However, I would say my chosen family - my best friends. They have been my biggest supporters and have helped me grow as an artist in so many ways because they themselves are artists. My friends were the reason I finished my degree which is the reason I have a job as a Graphic Designer today and continue to pursue my art.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. For the song, I want people to bring their own value and perspective to this song. It means to you what it means to you and that may be totally different than my vision for it. The point is that the anger, anxiety, pain, and empowerment that the story tells is universal and the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As for me, I hope people see a part of themselves in me. I hope to reflect empathy, emotional intelligence and empowerment.
Q. We can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. I can't thank YOU enough! This interview has been a wonderful journey. I am currently working on the next single for my very first EP which I cannot wait to share with you, so stick around to stay in the know! Feel free to follow me on Instagram, Spotify or wherever you like to listen to music. Bye!
Zach Haselow, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Zach Haselow’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.