Skrizzly Adams

Photo Credit: Moses Moreno

New Jersey native Daniel Zavaro, known professionally as Skrizzly Adams, epitomizes independence. From the start of his career, his 2014 EP Stains, the artist has self-released his work, including his much acclaimed (and much streamed) first full-length album, Young Man, released in 2019. Zavaro’s work is indubitably fresh. Pop rock with hints of grunge and hip hop, the up and coming musician blends all the former to create something unique and emotionally honest, exhibited in hits of his like “Take a Sip” and his many collaborations with Chris Webby. With over 90 million streams across all platforms and more music perpetually in the works, things only continue to look up for Skrizzly Adams. We recently spoke with him about all things Young Man, difficulties encountered in the production process, and more!

WIMITLA.: Hey! How are you?

SKRIZZLY ADAMS: I’m doing well, thanks!

W: Perfect. Our first question is “Tell us a little bit about yourself?” 

S: Sure. I’m Skrizzly Adams, a recording artist from New Jersey. I just put out a new single “Too Close to Fire,” I have a second album in the works, I currently have 90 million streams across all platforms, and I’m independent. Is that good?

W: Yea, thanks. How did you start making music?

S: I don’t know, really. I’ve been making music since I was very, very young, playing instruments since I was five. I started professionally when I was 19, as a producer, and started singing more so in my 20s. There was always a gravity of sorts bringing me to music, you know? 

W: Gotcha. So, who or what inspires you to make music? 

S: I would think the human experience is the most inspiring thing as a writer, and a creator in general actually. I think just living and keeping your eyes and ears open all the time and feeling emotions will allow the well [of creativity] to never go dry. In terms of other artists, I’m a huge Kanye West fan. I love Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Neil Young, and a lot of producers too, like [Rick] Rubin, and Dr. Dre. So, there’s never a lack of inspiration in terms of both my daily life and my idols. I feel very lucky that way. 

W: Awesome. So your debut album, Young Man, is really great, and it’s got such a narrative to it. What’s it about? 

S: Great question. I think it’s kind of a coming age album. It sounds very cliché in that sense, but I think the whole album is the narrative. It leads you in one direction where all these repeated things keep happening, and then it comes to a grand conclusion. Essentially every song, or the first nine songs, are all about things going wrong, and that’s kind of what growing up is, you know? You realize things won’t always go right. And then the last song is “Yellow Man,” which is the acceptance of that truth. There’s a lyric that says “You’re just old enough to hurt when it’s rough, and when things fall apart you just toughen up.” That’s sorta the conclusion of the whole thing, that as things go wrong, the only thing you can do is just be tough and cope with it. That leads you to the next album which I’m working on now. It’s more accepting that things aren’t working and don’t work, but there is a glimmer of hope and you’re trying to build a life that’s more about your late 20s. It’s very much age-oriented, but my fanbase stethoscopes several decades, so some of the themes are still broad enough to relate [to everyone]. 

W: So, speaking of Young Man, it’s definitely a hit, especially for a first album. It’s got over 19 million cumulative streams on Spotify, and 6 out of 10 of the songs have, I think, at least a million streams to begin with.

S: Good math.

W: Thanks. So, what’s it like to know that your work is so well-received? 

S: It’s great! That’s the biggest inspiration and motivating factor, that I know I can put something out and people will listen to it. I think the biggest reward is that I did the album independently. I did do it on my terms and the way I wanted to, and it was well-received. And, it’s still growing faster and faster to this date. So, it’s a level of reassurance. And with that, you don’t take it for granted or get cocky. You need to realize it could all go away at any moment. It inspires me to just make more music honestly. Keep building on my foundation.

W: Which of your songs was the hardest for you to make? 

S: I think from a technical standpoint, it was probably “Rattle Your Cage,” the last song we put on Young Man. It’s a fan favorite and I do an acoustic version of it live that goes over really well, but, man, I had a really hard time singing that, and I think a lot of fans didn’t know that. I re-recorded it so many times. I have a very thick and heavy kind of voice, but that song called for a lot more nuance, and I had a hard time providing that. The producer I was working with on it - we co-produced it - and I took a long time to find the right way of doing it. We didn’t only want to make an acoustic version, we also wanted to make a banger out of it, and it was difficult. But, I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I hope it’s a key player in the album. 

W: Yea, for sure. Taking a quick detour from the music side of you, let's say it’s your day off: How are you spending it? 

S: Sure, well I unfortunately don’t really have days off. I can’t name a single one. But, I do like to go and eat. Eating is my passion, food is my passion. I’ll go to a bar and just eat and drink all day, I know it sounds boring.

W: No, sounds nice! 

S: Well it’s what I like. Have a steak, get some wings, whatever. 

W: It’s idyllic. You’ve collaborated with artists like Chris Webby and Andrew Gialanella in the past, but who’s working with you in your dream collab? 

S: Kanye West. Definitely Kanye West. 

W: If you could say anything to the 2014 Skrizzly Adams who just released his first music, the EP Stains, what would it be? 

S: Great question, that’s a really good one. Stick to your guns and don’t stop working. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

W: Awesome, we’ve got one last question for you. I think we’ve touched upon it a little bit, but just so that it’s all in one place, what can fans keep an eye out for in the future? 

S: They know there’s always a steady stream of music, but I’m also really active in the livestreams again, and I’m just engaging with the fans a lot more than I was a couple months ago. I [livestream] pretty much every day and I really hope new people tune in. I’m so lucky that I have the same, loyal people tuning in every day, but I also love new people. New ears and eyes. I’d love to answer some questions and get to know people better, so keep an eye out. I’m trying to make myself as available as possible. 

WIMITLA.: Awesome! Well, those are all the questions we have for, thanks so much, I’m glad we got to do the interview! 

Skrizzly Adams: Awesome dude, I appreciate it. I’m really glad we did.