Interview with Your Best Life Nashville
Singer/ Songwriter Zach Cornell is here and talks 'Devil's Been Working'.
Hi Zach!!!! How are you living your best life right now?
I think like most artists, through writing and performing my songs. I took a short break from writing when my wife and I had our first baby, and now that he's a little older I'm back at it and I've got more to say than ever. I think anyone that writes songs gets a unique sense of fulfillment from turning a thought or feeling into a song other folks can relate to. And no songwriter is at their absolute best without doing that as often as possible.
What ways have you changed your life to be able to live your best life?
I've spent a lot of time focusing and getting my priorities straight. I've stepped back from doing some of the things that aren't as important to me as they might have been a couple years ago, and I've really tried to sit down and get better at the things that have been on the backburner for too long.
What new music should new fans be listening to?
I put out my first full-length album in November called 'Devil's Been Working.' It's full of original music that I wrote either right before coming to Nashville or right after. A couple of my favorites on the album are 'Simple' and 'Already Gone.'
How did you come up with your latest tracks title?
'Devil's Been Working' was a title before it was a song. My wife has a tattoo that says 'God is still working on me', which I've always liked. One day I was having a rough day and for whatever reason that tattoo popped into my head. As I was driving to work I caught myself thinking "it feels more like the devil's been working lately," and I think the whole song wrote itself before I even made it home from work.
Any advice you can give to artists out of experience when it comes to putting out music?
Don't put out anything you aren't happy with. Don't let someone tell you every song needs to be 3 minutes, or it's too happy or too sad, or whatever else. If you're recording music that you believe in and people around you dig it, keep on doing it. There's always someone that can relate to a good song, and it doesn't matter if it's mainstream or a niche. At the end of the day, you have to be content with what you're releasing, and that will never be the same for any two artists.
Who are you most inspired by in this industry?
I'd have to say Tom T. Hall, who unfortunately passed away just last week. I don't think anyone has ever told a story quite like him. No matter what the song is about, I always feel like I'm sitting in my living room with Tom and he's telling me the story like I'm hearing it for the first time. He makes you feel as though you're the one feeling the emotions of the song, and it's a level of writing that very few ever achieve. He's proof that you can find a story in anything, no matter how seemingly unimportant it is at the time, and turn it into something everyone and their dog can relate to.
Upcoming projects you can share with us?
I've got a few things in the works, and folks can definitely expect some new music soon!