The School of Greatness
Zedd Opens Up: Why He's A Better DJ Sober & How Music Became His Therapy
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
In this enlightening conversation, Grammy-winning artist Zedd (Anton Zaslavski) opens up about his creative process, relationship with success, and personal growth journey. From discussing the challenges of staying authentic in an algorithm-driven music industry to sharing his path toward sobriety and healthier living, Zedd reveals how he's maintained artistic integrity while achieving massive commercial success. He explains his approach to performing live shows, the importance of building a trustworthy team, and how he's learned to navigate fame while staying grounded in who he is beyond the spotlight.Get Zedd’s new album TelosIn this episode you will learn:Why creating art for yourself rather than an audience leads to more authentic and impactful workHow to maintain artistic integrity in an algorithm-driven entertainment industryThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about your wellbeingWhy checking in on friends and fellow artists is crucial for mental healthHow Zedd discovered he could perform better sober and transformed his relationship with alcoholFor more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1713For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you’ll love:Hozier – greatness.lnk.to/1596SCJeezy – greatness.lnk.to/1480SCRachel Platten – greatness.lnk.to/1663SC Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX
What does Zedd feel about his impact on fans?
I think surrounding yourself with people that keep you in check, that give you sometimes is good, no matter who you are. Now, if you're one of these artists or if you're an actor, if you're in the public eye and you struggle with suicidal thoughts, I've been surrounded by people. I'm lucky enough to have never had those thoughts. but some of my friends in the industry have.
And I think it's really important to check in on people. And I know people check in on me, and I really appreciate it. And I never take that as like, why are you checking in on me? I don't need it. No, it's always a good thing. Just that you don't have to do much beyond, hey, what's been going on? Like, how are you feeling?
I've had friends who've had suicidal thoughts during the pandemic who are in the industry. I have had friends of friends that told me, man, this guy, he drinks way too much and he cannot control it. And I reached out to them. And we briefly spoke about the fact that I've recently cut down on alcohol consumption a lot.
I mean, I will drink occasionally when my parents are in town, I'll have a glass of wine with them, that's fine. I'm not a, you know, not black or white. But my default used to be to drink on stage. Really? Always, for over 10 years, every show. Was it like a nerves thing or was it more just?
It was a mixture of, I think there are advantages to having alcohol in you because you feel like you're connecting more with the people that have alcohol in them. It loosens you up a little bit. It makes you less nervous because I still get nervous. Still? And I know this because I wear a boot tracker. Right, right.
And every single show, and I don't put in when I start my show, it knows exactly when my show starts. Wow. So that tells me that- It might also just be excitement.
It is.
I mean, it's partially excitement, right? They're kind of linked in a sense, but I do know that I still get some sort of body reaction when I go on stage. And I thought for the longest time, first of all, probably 10 years ago, I told my touring team,
if i ever drink too much like if i become an alcoholic you have to tell me because i'll be the last person to know wow if you're the alcoholic and we've probably most of us have been around people like that you don't know and you're gonna argue you're not so i told them right away because i drink a lot this is years ago like you have to tell me if it gets too much because i won't know um
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