Music. When it grabs you and shakes your insides out, you know the artists has you hooked. It’s like a really good boyfriend or girlfriend. Someone who gets you right away and can articulate exactly what you’re thinking or what you’ve gone through.
Meet Ambrose. Zak Ambrose has been making music since he was 17. Born and raised in Los Altos, part of the Bay Area in the heart of the Greatful Dead haven where Berkley students of the 60’s turned to technology geniuses and fueled the innovation of Silicon Valley, Zak’s been in LA for the last 12 years infusing his soulful classic rock with his life experiences while surviving the LA lifestyle. But it hasn’t been too shabby as Ambrose has received airplay across the country tapping into the growing demand for soulful rock’n roll. After seven months of non-stop radio promotion by independent, renegade promotional veteran, Bill Hons of Carport Music, Ambrose reached #92 on the POP charts (Media Base) in March of 2010. By sticking to a classic song writing approach reminiscent of the Eagles and Tom Petty, and using vintage Calfirornia tones, one thing you’ll notice about Ambrose music is it’s all about the lyrics.
“Most of my lyrics are from life experience. All my songs come from truth; an honest and vulnerable place. It’s the artist responsibility to take the risks normal people can’t take and assume roles the average person cant afford to assume. That’s when you get the purest artistic expression.” – Zak Ambrose
Check out the lyrics of “Golden” off his album “Promise Land” which was featured on Party Girl Plus One’s EP 7 “Date 6 The World Is Mine” which you can hear by clicking Golden – Ambrose.
I see hope and I felt love.
I know we can make it.
Take a step into the light
There’s no time for faking.
Golden lives, Golden ways
Golden light to light the way
Golden as the diving sun,
Golden is for everyone.
The things in life that are free
You give into it all
Unlock your heart
Free your soul
Time just slips as you let go.
So Let it go
Let it slide
Leave your worries all behind
Far behind
So far behind
Leave it all behind.
Zak learned to play guitar with his late best friend James Richard Millette III. Playing lead guitar in high school bands, Zak honed his performance skills and how to entertain the crowd which ultimately landed him 2 record deals within the last 6 years. Those deals lead Zak to produce, write and record over 100 songs including instrumentally driven orchestral pieces. Zak takes the philosophy of continuing to work and write solo as well as collaborating with as many talented artists that cross his path. He is also a big fan of getting out of the studio and onto the stage; any stage that will expose himself to situations and audiences that can lead to artistic development.
“You never know when the magic strikes and new collaborations always lead to different writing approaches and artistic perspectives. My advice is to always perform for special events or multi-media productions that have a built in audience that are hip to the art world an enjoy hearing new music. There’s strong ties between fashion / social networking, action sports and positive charitable events that can bring together the right influencers that stand behind the art that they are drawn to.” – Zak Ambrose
Zak was invited to perform at Manana in NYC for a Fashion Week after-party. Not a large venue, but a high-end mexican
restaurant and lounge hip to trend setters and art fanatics in the City. He took his flamenco guitar and did a three hour set performing with their house DJ. This simple show paid off for Zak as he had the opportunity to meet some top industry executives that would set him on a path to working with EMI as a creative songwriter and producer.
Working with EMI over the last couple of months further exposed Zak to music outside his traditional genres as he found himself working with young up and coming POP, Urban and Hip Hop producers. One of his more successful collaborations was with young beat genius and producer J-Hawk (Jeremy Hawkins), who had already been honing his own craft as an RnB / Pop producer, songwriter and engineering genius for some time. The collaboration mixed J-Hawk’s hip hop / dance beats with Zak’s chorus hooks and melodies from the word of stadium rock creating an electric sound and ripping urban rhythms. These tracks are currently being shopped through EMI to connect with those artists in need of such monster hits.
“Each collaboration brings new insight into the limitless possibilities that spark when pure creative energy comes together from two opposite writing approaches. I’m the only rocker in a building full off hip hop artists and cross over pop producers. It doesn’t bother me. I’m a big believer in finding the right team to work with and being open to experimenting with different influencers within their realms. It’s also critical to surround yourself with positive pure talent that keeps you excited and motivated. Every night’s like Christmas Eve when I’m working with a young, cutting edge, mad sonic scientist! Exploring humanity through music is what really gets me off!” – Zak Ambrose
Zak has seen the highs and lows of being both a signed and unsigned artist. He’s found the saving grace for keeping sane in a core team of one or two people that understand his talent and see him for what he has to offer the world. He’s also found that any writer, performer or creative needs seasoned professionals to stay on top of the bigger picture while pushing the artist to be better craftsman, performer and person.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have found Bill Hons (Carport Music). He is the best radio promotor and independent renegade in the business and someone that never wastes a breath on the BS we’re surrounded by daily in entertainment. Bill has changed my entire outlook as well as understanding of exactly what it takes to maximize artistic ability, respect your craft and God given talents, and to preserve these things with integrity and honesty. At the end of the day, the only thing an artist has is integrity and instinct.” – Zak Ambrose
It’s all about the exposure and getting people to hear the music.
“Travel, explore, put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Play big festivals where there is influence to be made. Play small venues solo. Just get yourself out there. Don’t wait for anything, just be the artist that you were born to be if that is your calling.” – Zak Ambrose
http://www.myspace.com/ambrosetheband
http://www.facebook.com/zak.ambrose
Radio Promotions Bill Hons – Terrestrial Radio
Carportmusic@aol.com
323.934.9573
2091/2 South Poinsettia Place
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Attorney Gerry Weiner
Probstein & Weiner
9696 Culver Blvd, Suite 205
Culver City, CA 90232
Booking Cosmo Ohms, President (Florida DBPR License #00703)
561-704-6983
ANAMAZE BOOKING AGENCY
Hollywood, FL
Corporate Brian Blackwell
Sponsorship Brian@Blackwellartistgroup.com
310.613.8100
