“Wanderlust” is the opening track off my first solo album and was one of the first songs I wrote when I lived in Los Angeles. It’s a cool reggae/rock track about a Wanderer reflecting upon the Mysterious Energy of the Ocean in the midst of this Vast Universe. The lyrics came in a flash while sitting atop my surfboard in beautiful Malibu. The ‘Seductress’ in the lyrics is the Mother Ocean who shares her gifts freely while asking us to be alive in every way. Some moments just call for us to get on that wave and trust without hesitation.....
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Way back in 2007 I arrived in LA from Brooklyn in an old white van after doing a 2 month cross country tour with my band Speed Of Life. After the tour I wasn’t ready to go back to New York and a few month stint turned into...well a bit longer. Little did I know I was about to embark upon a journey of self discovery well beyond anything I thought was possible.
I wound up living in LA for 5 years and while I was there I met someone who transformed my life. Angelo Moore, lead singer and Saxophonist of the legendary band Fishbone, turned out to be my next door neighbor. As a teenager I always admired Angelo because I knew he was the real thing, a true talent and a musical genius. Our budding friendship led to a working relationship that was an incredible experience of growth for both of us. What I learned from him most is that when he couldn’t do something musically he kept trying until he got it.
A Chance to Give Back To A Musical Hero
Angelo was struggling to step out of Fishbone and do some more stuff on his own. I began studying Shamanic Practices from The Amazon and was keen on helping myself and others break through creative blocks. I also had a lot of experience recording musicians. Having my brother on the TV show Scrubs I wasn’t under the spell of fame some people have around public figures. I encouraged Angelo to believe in himself and to pursue his musical vision. I let him know that there were musicians all over the world who would love to play with him and it was a great opportunity for him to expand. What began by casually recording Angelo’s ideas turned an open and honest friendship, a full album....
...and a successful Kickstarter campaign. Angelo also got to know my music and became a fan – what a compliment! It went so far that he played Sax on “Wanderlust” as well putting gospel vocal harmonies on my track “Step Into The Love”. But the most important thing is that we influenced each others lives. On a recent email Angelo sent me while on a solo tour he wrote this: “Zay I cannot express to you how much you are an inspiration to me and have been for a long time. Thanks for the words and lessons”. For me the point is you never know how you may be impacting someone’s life, no matter who they are...what a gift to be able inspire the people that you care about...!
The Video
Angelo is also in the video for “Wanderlust” below shot mainly in Sagres, Portugal (where I lived for 6 months) as well as at his studio in LA. Sagres is easily one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and was the perfect location to capture the essence of this song…
A Positive Influence?!
I’d imagine there’s probably things that come to you naturally that other people find difficult. You may even be influencing them without realizing it. Again this is a brand new page. Be one of the first to comment below and let me know if you’ve ever impacted someone’s life in a positive way only to find out about it afterward??
Thanks for the Support!
-John Zay