New Music: ZDAN – hell no!

ZDAN hails the 50s and 80s glory days of rock n’ roll – juiced up with an empowering message – on her latest single.

As with the previous single save me (rock n roll), ZDAN – the project of Nashville-based producer and musician Brandy Zdan – hell no! exudes the rebellion of 50s rockers and the scuzzy glamour of the Sunset Strip glam scene, as the song shows the finger to those who believe they can set the boundaries for women.

The similarities to Joan Jett and Suzi Quatro have previously been remarked upon, but I’d throw in Peaches too, because this take on rock n’ roll is not just classic but timeless, as it shouts, ‘My body, my life, my choice.’ Don’t like that? As the title of ZDAN’s upcoming album says, SO WHAT!

“It’s me separating my identity as an artist and producer from who I am as a person,” says ZDAN about the album. But mainly, it’s about breaking down the barriers of gender and genre,” she explains.

“People expected me to be a feminine singer-songwriter, which I am, but often not in the ways they assume. I wanted to broaden that to reflect how I sound on this record and the fact it’s a band project and give myself the freedom to do whatever I want.”

In recent years, ZDAN has produced records for artists like Emily Scott Robinson and Wild Ponies, during which she further honed her ear.

“Producing records has given me a better perspective of how much work there’s left to do; it’s all dudes, at least in Nashville,” she continues. “So the 6% of us who are behind the board? We’re very intentional with our choices. This is a living, breathing, moving album, and it needs to sound that way.”

SO WHAT! comes out on the 7th of November. hell no! and save me (rock n roll) can be streamed on YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. For the latest album and artist updates, check out ZDAN on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram.

Header photo by Laura Schneider