ZZ Ward

ZZ Ward
Ward performing in 2017
Ward performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameZsuzsanna Eva Ward
Born (1986-06-02) June 2, 1986 (age 38)
Abington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OriginRoseburg, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • harmonica
  • pianos
Years active2012–present
Labels
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​
Children2
Websitewww.zzward.com

Zsuzsanna Eva Ward (born June 2, 1986)[1] is an American singer-songwriter from Roseburg, Oregon. She signed with Hollywood Records to release her debut extended play (EP), Criminal (2012), which preceded the release of her debut studio album, Til the Casket Drops, that same year.[2] Her second studio album, The Storm (2017), peaked atop the Billboard Blues Albums Chart. Her third studio album, Dirty Shine (2023), was released independently, and met with critical acclaim.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, Ward grew up in Roseburg, Oregon,[4] where she joined her first band, with her father, at the age of 12.[5] Ward recalled the first song she sang was "an Albert King track called 'As the Years Go Passing By'".[6]

Ward's maternal grandmother, Zsuzsanna Friedman, was a Jewish Hungarian who converted to Catholicism to avoid persecution during the Holocaust. On discovering this, Ward, who grew up in a secular household, took an interest in reclaiming her Jewish roots.[7]

Career

[edit]

Debut EP and Til the Casket Drops (2011–15)

[edit]

After moving to Los Angeles and signing to E. Kidd Bogart's Boardwalk Entertainment Group, Ward began recording the Criminal EP, as well as Eleven Roses, a free mixtape on which she offered her interpretations of tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Tyler, the Creator,[8] Freddie Gibbs and Wiz Khalifa.[9] Eleven Roses features "Better Of Dead", "Got It Bad", "Overdue", "Criminal", "Morphine", and "Cinnamon Stix". It was released on 3 November 2011.[10] For the recording of "Criminal", she sampled the beat from "Oil Money" by Freddie Gibbs, who was so impressed by Ward's remake that he asked to contribute a guest verse to the official version on the EP. The Criminal EP was released on May 8, 2012, and features the songs "Til the Casket Drops", "Put the Gun Down", "Move Like U Stole It", and "Criminal" (feat. Freddie Gibbs).

Ward's debut album, Til the Casket Drops, was released on October 16, 2012.[11] It includes the singles "365 Days", "Put the Gun Down" and "Last Love Song", the song "Cryin' Wolf" with Kendrick Lamar, as well as appearances from Ryan Tedder, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Theron "Neff-U" Feemster and Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums.[12] Ward performed the album's first single, "Put the Gun Down", on VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live with Carrie Keagan on September 19, 2012,[13] The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on November 1, 2012,[14] and Conan on January 10, 2013.[15] In March 2013, the New York Times said of Ward, "Her energy evokes Tina Turner's, her chops Aretha Franklin's and her soul Etta James's",[16] and she was named one of Fuse TV's 30 must-see artists at SXSW.[17] Ward performed her second single, "365 Days", on Good Morning America[18] and Big Morning Buzz Live,[19] both on March 7, 2013; on the September 3, 2013, episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno;[20] and on the January 30, 2014, episode of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

On April 20, 2013, for Record Store Day, Ward released a limited edition 7-inch vinyl that included her cover of "Grinnin in Your Face", written and originally recorded by Son House,[21] and a previously unreleased song, "Everybody Wants to Be Famous".[22] The 7-inch cover features an image taken of Ward when she was 11 years-old.[23] The following month, Ward, in conjunction with her second single release, launched her 365 Days of ZZ Ward app.[24]

Notable live appearances in 2014 include Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,[25] Bonnaroo Music Festival,[26] and a short tour with Eric Clapton.[27]

Love and War EP and The Storm (2015-2020)

[edit]

Ward's second EP, Love and War, was released on Hollywood Records on August 28, 2015.[28]

On February 11, 2017, Ward performed at the Americana Music Association's tribute concert to Loretta Lynn at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California, performing a cover of "The Home You're Tearing Down".[29][30] She performed at the inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival in June 2017 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.[31]

On March 2, Ward released the single "The Deep", featuring Chicago MC Joey Purp. The track is built around a sample of "As Long As I've Got You" by The Charmels, which is also sampled in "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan. The song is about Ward's feelings of being trapped in a bad relationship.[32] The song's music video premiered on W magazine's website on March 9, 2017.[33] Also in 2017, Ward collaborated with Gary Clark Jr. on "Ride" from the soundtrack to the Pixar film Cars 3. Ward performed "Ride" on Dancing with the Stars on April 17, 2017.[34]

Ward's second studio album, The Storm, was released on June 30, 2017, through Hollywood Records.[35] It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart in July 2017,[36] at number 12 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart,[37] and at number 75 on the Billboard 200.[38] The music video for the single "Cannonball" (featuring Fantastic Negrito) was released in July 2017.[39]

In 2019, Ward released a new single which was speculated to be the lead single from a potential third studio album, the single "Sex & Stardust" was released on December 13, 2019.[40] On 2020, Ward released three more singles[41] "Break Her Heart", "The Dark", and "Giant",[42] these songs would be her latest releases under Hollywood Records before parting ways with the label.[43]

Departure from Hollywood Records and Dirty Shine (2021-present)

[edit]

In 2021, Ward became an independent artist when she funded her own label Dirty Shine Records, the name being a nod to Ward's fanbase which reference themselves as "Dirty Shine Fam.”[44] She also announced her first independent single "Tin Cups" with Aloe Blacc which end up being the lead single of her third studio album Dirty Shine;[45] five singles were released prior the album release.[46] The album dropped on September 8, 2023, to widespread critical acclaim by music critics, who praised Ward's versatility and overall performance.[47][48]

On February 9, 2024, Ward released the single "WTH Did I Do?". She followed it up with the single "Best Friends" on March 8. Both songs were included on her third EP, Where Did All the Love Go?.

On May 20, Ward announced that she had signed with Sun Records.[49] Her first release with them was "Mother" on July 19.

Personal life

[edit]

Ward married record producer E. Kidd Bogart in May 2017.[50] Their first child, Ezra Jack Bogart, was born on February 3, 2021.[51] Ward announced her pregnancy in November 2020 in the music video for her song "Giant."[52] In October 2023, Ward announced via her social media accounts that she is expecting her second child.[53]

Ward is sometimes called "the hat girl" due to her always wearing a fedora onstage.[54] She began doing this at 12 years old when she performed with her father's blues band and wanted to feel "more confident like Muddy Waters and Big Mama Thornton."

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Wally Got Wasted Officer Sanders Acting debut

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[55] 		US
Rock 		US
Blues
Til the Casket Drops 72 31 —
The Storm
  • Release: June 30, 2017
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 75 12 1
Dirty Shine
  • Release: September 8, 2023
  • Label: Dirty Shine Records
  • Formats: digital download
 — — —

EPs

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Extended play details
Criminal EP
365 Days
  • Release: April 19, 2013
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Love and War
  • Release: August 28, 2015
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Where Did All the Love Go?
  • Release: April 5, 2024[57]
  • Label: Dirty Shine Records
  • Formats: digital download
Mother
  • Release: October 4, 2024
  • Label: Dirty Shine, Sun Records
  • Formats: digital download


Mixtapes

[edit]
Title Details
Eleven Roses
  • Release date: February 1, 2012
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA

[58]

US
Adult

[59]

US
Alt

[60]

US
Dance

[61]

"Put the Gun Down" 2012 7 — 39 — Til the Casket Drops
"365 Days" 2013 4 28 — —
"Last Love Song" 2014 15 30 — 19
"Love 3x" 2015 — — — 5 Love and War
"The Deep" (featuring Joey Purp) 2017 — — — — Non-album single
"Help Me Mama" 18 — — — The Storm
"Ride" (featuring Gary Clark Jr.) — — — — Cars 3 & The Storm
"Cannonball" (featuring Fantastic Negrito) 25 — — — The Storm
"Domino" (featuring Fitz) 2018 24 — — —
"Sex & Stardust" 2019 — — — — Non-album singles
"Break Her Heart" 2020 28 — — —
"The Dark" — — — —
"Giant" — — — —
"Tin Cups" (with Aloe Blacc) 2022 — — — — Dirty Shine
"Baby Don't" (solo or featuring DijahSB) 2023 — — — —
"Ride or Die" (featuring Vic Mensa) — — — —
"Forget About Us" — — — —
"On One" (featuring Jean Deaux) — — — —
"Evil on the Inside" — — — — Dirty Shine (Dirty Deluxe)
"WTH Did I Do?" 2024 — — — — Where Did All the Love Go?
"Best Friends" — — — —
"Mother" — — — — Mother
"My Baby Left Me" — — — —
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released
[edit]
Song Year Album
"See the World" (Remix)
(Blended Babies featuring Asher Roth, Chuck Inglish and ZZ Ward) 		2013 Non-album single
"Parties at the Disco"[62]
(Asher Roth featuring ZZ Ward) 		2014 RetroHash
"Hold My Heart"
(Lindsey Stirling featuring ZZ Ward)[63] 		2016 Brave Enough
"No Rest For The Wicked"[64]
(LVCRFT featuring ZZycho Ward) 		2020 The Sequel

Guest appearances

[edit]
Song Year Album
"Insurance"
(Asher Roth featuring ZZ Ward, Rockie Fresh, and Blue) 		2013 Pabst Jazz
"Away In a Manger"
(Anthony Hamilton featuring ZZ Ward) 		2014 Home for the Holidays
"Breath of Me"
(Robben Ford featuring ZZ Ward) 		2015 Into the Sun
"7 Digits"[65]
(RichGains featuring Freddie Gibbs, Nico Segal, and ZZ Ward) 		2017 Gains
"Loving You Loving Me"
(Matt Koziol featuring ZZ Ward) 		2022 Wildhorse (Barrel Aged)

TV and film soundtrack appearances

[edit]

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Til the Casket Drops (Pretty Little Liars Version)"[72] 2012 Unknown
"Put the Gun Down" Alex Bulkley[73]
"Criminal" 2013 The Engine[74]
"365 Days" Roman & Pedro[75]
"Last Love Song" 2014 Joseph Toman[76]
"Last Love Song (Pretty Little Liars Version)"[77] Unknown
"Love 3x" 2015 MIE[78]
"The Deep" 2017 Kyle Cogan[79][80]
"Help Me Mama"
"Ride" Declan Whitebloom[81]
"Cannonball" Kyle Cogan[82]
"Sex & Stardust" 2020 Alexa Kinigopoulos & Stephen Kinigopoulos
"Break Her Heart"
"The Dark"
"Giant" 2020 David Dutton
"Tin Cups" 2022 Nayip Ramos
"Baby Don't" 2023 Adam William Ward
"Ride Or Die"
"Forget About Us"
"On One"

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ZZ Ward Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "AAA Radio Songs: 2-3-13". The Top 22. February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  3. ^ Francis, Pete (September 8, 2023). "ZZ Ward: Dirty Shine Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Editor's Pick: ZZ Ward Exclusive Video". The Top 22. October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  5. ^ Reyan Ali, "Blues artist ZZ Ward stops by the Social", Orlando Weekly, May 28, 2013.
  6. ^ "How ZZ Ward Went From Playing in Bars Underage to a Kendrick Lamar Collabo – Fuse Q&A – Fuse". Fuse.tv. May 3, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  7. ^ Spotlight On: ZZ Ward, Soulful Jewish Singer on the Rise, Jewcy, July 18, 2013
  8. ^ "SXSW Report: ZZ Ward Interview". vevo.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  9. ^ Cragg, Michael (March 9, 2012). "New music: ZZ Ward – Overdue". The Guardian. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "ZZ Ward - Eleven Roses (Mixtape)". Discogs. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "ZZ Ward Talks Instagram, Hip-Hop, and Attitude". beatdropping.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  12. ^ "ZZ Ward – "Cryin' Wolf" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)". Earmilk. October 2, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  13. ^ ""ZZ Ward Performs 'Put The Gun Down'" by ZZ Ward | Show Performance". VH1.com. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Gundersen, Edna (November 1, 2012). "USA Today Story ZZ Ward on Jay Leno".
  15. ^ "ZZ Ward "Put the Gun Down" 01/10/13 – CONAN on TBS". YouTube. January 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  16. ^ Haller, Val (March 1, 2013). "If You Like Rickie Lee Jones, Try ZZ Ward". The New York Times.
  17. ^ "30 Must-See Acts at SXSW 2013 – Photos – South by Southwest – Festivals – Fuse". Fuse.tv. February 28, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  18. ^ "ZZ Ward Performs '365 Days' on 'GMA' | Video". ABC News. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  19. ^ ""ZZ Ward Performs '365 Days'" by ZZ Ward | Show Performance". VH1.com. March 7, 2013. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  20. ^ "Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Episodes | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". NBC. September 3, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  21. ^ "Exclusive Video Premiere and Interview: 'Grinnin' in Your Face,' ZZ Ward – Page". Interview Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  22. ^ Daw, Robbie (April 16, 2013). "ZZ Ward's "Everybody Wants To Be Famous": Record Store Day Song Premiere | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  23. ^ "ZZ Ward Record Store Day Release // Tour Dates | Listen". Earbuddy. April 18, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  24. ^ Anthony, Brian (May 22, 2013). "ZZ Ward's App Uses Facebook to Plot When Fans Discovered Her Music". Mashable.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  25. ^ Gerrick D. Kennedy, "Coachella 2014: Watch an exclusive acoustic performance by ZZ Ward", Los Angeles Times, April 19, 2014.
  26. ^ "The 2014 Lineup!". Bonnaroo. February 19, 2014. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  27. ^ "ZZ WARD RELEASES TWO VERSIONS OF "LAST LOVE SONG" VIDEO TODAY ABC Family to release 'Pretty Little Liars' version Billboard.com to premiere official video". Clizbeats.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  28. ^ Lesley McKenzie, "Decked Out: ZZ Ward's Onstage Style Evolution"The Hollywood Reporter, August 28, 2015.
  29. ^ Randy Lewis, "Jack Ingram, Joe Henry, ZZ Ward join Americana Music Assn. salute to Loretta Lynn", Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2017.
  30. ^ Chris Willman, "Kesha Joins Americana Artists at Pre-Grammy Salute to Loretta Lynn", Billboard, February 12, 2017.
  31. ^ Alex Young, "Coachella organizers launch new two-day festival called Arroyo Seco Weekend", Consequence of Sound, March 14, 2017.
  32. ^ Myles Tanzer, "ZZ Ward And Joey Purp Pull From A Classic For 'The Deep'", The Fader, March 2, 2017.
  33. ^ Katherine Cusumano, "Exclusive Music Video Premiere: ZZ Ward's 'The Deep' Is the First Look at Her Most Personal Record Yet", W, March 9, 2017.
  34. ^ "Cars 3 Soundtrack First Listen: ZZ Ward & Gary Clark Jr's Energetic Track, 'Ride' and Dancing With The Stars Performance", Pixar Post, April 14, 2017.
  35. ^ Frederick, Brittany (April 20, 2017). "ZZ Ward's summer tour includes Denver's Bluebird and LA's Roxy". AXS. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  36. ^ "Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  37. ^ "Rock Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  38. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  39. ^ Kaitlin Reilly, "Video Premiere For ZZ Ward's 'Cannonball'", Refinery29, July 6, 2017.
  40. ^ Smith, Courtney E. "ZZ Ward Found Her Inspiration For The Sex & Stardust Video In Kill Bill". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  41. ^ Travers, Andrew (February 27, 2020). "ZZ Ward discusses new songs, returns to Belly Up Aspen". www.aspentimes.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  42. ^ admin (November 29, 2020). "ZZ Ward 'Giant' Music Video". TheStumbleUpon. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  43. ^ "On Stage: ZZ Ward takes control of her career | The Unionville Times". www.unionvilletimes.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  44. ^ "ZZ Ward dishes on her newfound independent artistry ahead of Sept. 22 show at The Madrid". The Pitch. August 29, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "ZZ Ward Releases Soulful Single 'Tin Cups' Featuring Aloe Blacc". JamBase. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  46. ^ Price, Jason (July 28, 2023). "ZZ WARD To Release Her First Independent Album 'Dirty Shine' In September | Icon Vs. Icon". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  47. ^ "ZZ Ward Releases 'Dirty Shine,' Ushering a Fresh Era for the Renowned Artist". Grateful Web. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  48. ^ Niesel, Jeff. "ZZ Ward Artfully Mixes Blues and Hip-Hop Together on 'Dirty Shine'". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  49. ^ "Post from ZZ Ward". www.youtube.com. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  50. ^ "In Blues Cruise Control, ZZ Ward Revs It Up on Way to 'Little Piece of Heaven'". PopMatters. July 5, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  51. ^ ZZ Ward [@ZZWard] (February 9, 2021). "Ezra Jack Bogart 02/03/21 the best gift I have ever received" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  52. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 16, 2020). "ZZ Ward Announces Pregnancy in Empowering 'Giant' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  53. ^ "ZZ Ward on X: "There's something even more special about the One Hell Of A Night Tour that I've been waiting to tell you all….We've got a new band member on stage with us 😊😊😊 Ezra's getting a baby brother in February 💙💙💙 #dirtyshinebaby #aquariusboys"". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  54. ^ "Blues singer ZZ Ward talks fedoras and friendship with Lindsey Stirling". Deseret News. December 21, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  55. ^ "ZZ Ward – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  56. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015.
  57. ^ Where Did All the Love Go? - EP by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, April 5, 2024, retrieved April 5, 2024
  58. ^ "ZZ Ward Triple A Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  59. ^ "ZZ Ward Adult Top 40 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  60. ^ "ZZ Ward Alternative Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  61. ^ "ZZ Ward Dance Club Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  62. ^ "iTunes – Music – RetroHash by Asher Roth". Itunes.apple.com. August 11, 1985. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  63. ^ Chiu, Melody (November 22, 2016). "Go Behind the Scenes of Violinist Lindsey Stirling's 'Hold My Heart' Music Video". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  64. ^ Brow, Jason (October 14, 2020). "LVCRFT Reveals How New Halloween Album 'The Sequel' Expands Their 'Sinister Sound'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  65. ^ "Rich Gains - 7 Digits Feat. Freddie Gibbs, ZZ Ward & Nico Segal". hotnewhiphop. April 28, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  66. ^ "OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: ZZ Ward "Til the Casket Drops"". youtube.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  67. ^ "The Good Wife Season 5 Promo". YouTube. August 26, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2014. Saving Hope Season 1 Episode 1 (Pilot)
  68. ^ "ZZ Ward". Pollstar. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  69. ^ "We're the Millers (2013) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  70. ^ "Veronica Mars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: CDs & Vinyl". Amazon. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  71. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (from ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars")". YouTube. April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  72. ^ "ZZ Ward – Til the Casket Drops (Pretty Little Liars)". YouTube. May 23, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  73. ^ "Put the Gun Down – ZZ Ward". Vevo. July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  74. ^ "Criminal (Live in Studio with Freddie Gibbs) – ZZ Ward". Vevo. October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  75. ^ "365 Days (The Summer's Over) – ZZ Ward". Vevo. August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  76. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (Official Video)". YouTube. April 25, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  77. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (Pretty Little Liars)". YouTube. April 24, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  78. ^ "Love 3x – ZZ Ward". Vevo. June 5, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  79. ^ "The Deep – ZZ Ward". Vevo. March 10, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  80. ^ "Help Me Mama – ZZ Ward". Vevo. May 18, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  81. ^ "Ride – ZZ Ward". Vevo. June 16, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  82. ^ "Cannonball – ZZ Ward". Vevo. July 6, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
[edit]
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