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ZZ Ward

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ZZ Ward
Ward performing in 2017
Ward performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameZsuzsanna Eva Ward[1]
Born (1986-06-02) June 2, 1986 (age 38)[1]
Abington, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • harmonica
Years active2012–present
Labels
Websitewww.zzward.com

Zsuzsanna Eva Ward (born June 2, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter.

Ward released her debut EP, Criminal, on May 8, 2012. Her debut album, Til the Casket Drops, was released on October 16, 2012. "Put The Gun Down", her first single, broke into the top 10 on the AAA radio chart on February 3, 2013,[2] staying there for 10 weeks, and also broke into the top 40 on the Billboard Alternative chart. On March 2, 2017, Ward released the single "The Deep" (featuring Joey Purp). Her second studio album, The Storm, was released on June 30, 2017, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart in July 2017.

Early life

Ward grew up in Roseburg, Oregon.[3] In Roseburg, she joined her first band, with her father, at the age of 12.[4] Ward recalled the first song she sang was "an Albert King track called 'As the Years Go Passing By'".[5]

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.[6]

Career

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

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,[7] Freddie Gibbs and Wiz Khalifa.[8] Eleven Roses features Better Of Dead, Got It Bad, Overdue, Criminal, Morphine and Cinnamon Stix, it was released on 3 November 2011.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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,[12] The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on November 1, 2012,[13] and Conan on January 10, 2013.[14] 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",[15] and she was named one of Fuse TV's 30 must-see artists at SXSW.[16] Ward performed her second single, "365 Days", on Good Morning America[17] and Big Morning Buzz Live,[18] both on March 7, 2013; on the September 3, 2013 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno;[19] and on the January 30, 2014 episode of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. In May 2013, Ward, in conjunction with her second single release, launched her 365 Days of ZZ Ward app.[20]

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]

Notable live appearances in 2014 include Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,[24] Bonnaroo Music Festival,[25] and a short tour with Eric Clapton.[26]

Second EP and The Storm (2015–present)

Ward's second EP, Love and War, was released on Hollywood Records on August 28, 2015.[27]

On March 2, 2017, 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.[28] The song's music video premiered on W magazine's website on March 9, 2017.[29] 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.[30]

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".[31][32] She performed at the inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend festival in June 2017 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.[33]

Ward's second studio album, The Storm, was released on June 30, 2017 through Hollywood Records.[34] It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart in July 2017,[35] at number 12 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart,[36] and at number 75 on the Billboard 200.[37] The music video for the single "Cannonball" (featuring Fantastic Negrito) was released in July 2017.[38]

Personal life

Ward married record producer E. Kidd Bogart in May 2017.[39] Their first child, Ezra Jack Bogart, was born on February 3, 2021.[40] Ward announced her pregnancy in November 2020 in the music video for her song "Giant."[41]

Filmography

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

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[42] 		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

EPs

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Extended play details
Criminal
Love and War
  • Release: August 28, 2015
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Mixtapes

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

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA

[44]

US
Adult

[45]

US
Alt

[46]

US
Dance

[47]

"Put the Gun Down" 2012 7 — 39 — Til the Casket Drops
"Criminal" (featuring Freddie Gibbs) 2013 — — — —
"365 Days" 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
"Cannonball" (featuring Fantastic Negrito) 25 — — —
"Domino" (featuring Fitz) 24 — — —
"Sex & Stardust" 2019 — — — — Non-album single
"Break Her Heart" 2020 28 — — — Non-album single
"The Dark" — — — — Non-album single
"Giant" — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released
Song Year Album
"See the World"
(Blended Babies featuring Asher Roth, Chuck Inglish and ZZ Ward) 		2013 non-album single
"Parties at the Disco"[48]
(Asher Roth featuring ZZ Ward) 		2014 RetroHash
"Hold My Heart"
(Lindsey Stirling featuring ZZ Ward)[49] 		2016 Brave Enough

Guest appearances

Song Year Other artist(s) Album
"Breath of Me" 2015 Robben Ford Into the Sun
"Hold My Heart" 2016 Lindsey Stirling Brave Enough
"7 Digits"[50] 2017 Rich Gains, Freddie Gibbs, Nico Segal Gains

TV and film soundtrack appearances

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Til the Casket Drops (Pretty Little Liars Version)"[57] 2012 Unknown
"Put the Gun Down" Alex Bulkley[58]
"Criminal" 2013 The Engine[59]
"365 Days" Roman & Pedro[60]
"Last Love Song" 2014 Joseph Toman[61]
"Last Love Song (Pretty Little Liars Version)"[62] Unknown
"Love 3x" 2015 MIE[63]
"The Deep" 2017 Kyle Cogan[64][65]
"Help Me Mama"
"Ride" Declan Whitebloom[66]
"Cannonball" Kyle Cogan[67]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "ZZ Ward age, hometown, biography". Last.fm.
  2. ^ "AAA Radio Songs: 2-3-13". The Top 22. February 4, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  3. ^ "Editor's Pick: ZZ Ward Exclusive Video". The Top 22. October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  4. ^ Reyan Ali, "Blues artist ZZ Ward stops by the Social", Orlando Weekly, May 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Spotlight On: ZZ Ward, Soulful Jewish Singer on the Rise, Jewcy, July 18, 2013
  7. ^ "SXSW Report: ZZ Ward Interview". vevo.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  8. ^ Cragg, Michael (March 9, 2012). "New music: ZZ Ward – Overdue". The Guardian. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "ZZ Ward - Eleven Roses (Mixtape)". Discogs. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "ZZ Ward Talks Instagram, Hip-Hop, and Attitude". beatdropping.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  11. ^ "ZZ Ward – "Cryin' Wolf" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)". Earmilk.Com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  12. ^ ""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.
  13. ^ Gundersen, Edna (November 1, 2012). "USA Today Story ZZ Ward on Jay Leno".
  14. ^ "ZZ Ward "Put the Gun Down" 01/10/13 – CONAN on TBS". YouTube. January 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  15. ^ Haller, Val (March 1, 2013). "If You Like Rickie Lee Jones, Try ZZ Ward". The New York Times.
  16. ^ "30 Must-See Acts at SXSW 2013 – Photos – South by Southwest – Festivals – Fuse". Fuse.tv. February 28, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  17. ^ "ZZ Ward Performs '365 Days' on 'GMA' | Video". ABC News. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  18. ^ ""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.
  19. ^ "Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | Episodes | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". NBC. September 3, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  20. ^ Anthony, Brian (May 22, 2013). "ZZ Ward's App Uses Facebook to Plot When Fans Discovered Her Music". Mashable.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  21. ^ "Exclusive Video Premiere and Interview: 'Grinnin' in Your Face,' ZZ Ward – Page". Interview Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  22. ^ Daw, Robbie. "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. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  24. ^ Gerrick D. Kennedy, "Coachella 2014: Watch an exclusive acoustic performance by ZZ Ward", Los Angeles Times, April 19, 2014.
  25. ^ "The 2014 Lineup!". Bonnaroo. February 19, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ Lesley McKenzie, "Decked Out: ZZ Ward's Onstage Style Evolution"The Hollywood Reporter, August 28, 2015.
  28. ^ Myles Tanzer, "ZZ Ward And Joey Purp Pull From A Classic For 'The Deep'", The Fader, March 2, 2017.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ Randy Lewis, "Jack Ingram, Joe Henry, ZZ Ward join Americana Music Assn. salute to Loretta Lynn", Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2017.
  32. ^ Chris Willman, "Kesha Joins Americana Artists at Pre-Grammy Salute to Loretta Lynn", Billboard, February 12, 2017.
  33. ^ Alex Young, "Coachella organizers launch new two-day festival called Arroyo Seco Weekend", Consequence of Sound, March 14, 2017.
  34. ^ Frederick, Brittany (April 20, 2017). "ZZ Ward's summer tour includes Denver's Bluebird and LA's Roxy". AXS. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  35. ^ "Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  36. ^ "Rock Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  37. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  38. ^ Kaitlin Reilly, "Video Premiere For ZZ Ward's 'Cannonball'," Refinery29, July 6, 2017.
  39. ^ "In Blues Cruise Control, ZZ Ward Revs It Up on Way to 'Little Piece of Heaven'". PopMatters. July 5, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  40. ^ ZZ Ward [@ZZWard] (February 9, 2021). "Ezra Jack Bogart 02/03/21 the best gift I have ever received" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 16, 2020). "ZZ Ward Announces Pregnancy in Empowering 'Giant' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  42. ^ "ZZ Ward – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  43. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015.
  44. ^ "ZZ Ward Triple A Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  45. ^ "ZZ Ward Adult Top 40 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  46. ^ "ZZ Ward Alternative Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  47. ^ "ZZ Ward Dance Club Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  48. ^ "iTunes – Music – RetroHash by Asher Roth". Itunes.apple.com. August 11, 1985. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  49. ^ 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.
  50. ^ "Rich Gains - 7 Digits Feat. Freddie Gibbs, ZZ Ward & Nico Segal". hotnewhiphop. April 28, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  51. ^ "OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: ZZ Ward "Til the Casket Drops"". youtube.com. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  52. ^ "The Good Wife Season 5 Promo". YouTube. August 26, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2014. Saving Hope Season 1 Episode 1 (Pilot)
  53. ^ "ZZ Ward". Pollstar. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  54. ^ "We're the Millers (2013) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  55. ^ "Veronica Mars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: CDs & Vinyl". Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  56. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (from ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars")". YouTube. April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  57. ^ "ZZ Ward – Til the Casket Drops (Pretty Little Liars)". YouTube. May 23, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  58. ^ "Put the Gun Down – ZZ Ward". Vevo. July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  59. ^ "Criminal (Live in Studio with Freddie Gibbs) – ZZ Ward". Vevo. October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  60. ^ "365 Days (The Summer's Over) – ZZ Ward". Vevo. August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  61. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (Official Video)". YouTube. April 25, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  62. ^ "ZZ Ward – Last Love Song (Pretty Little Liars)". YouTube. April 24, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  63. ^ "Love 3x – ZZ Ward". Vevo. June 5, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  64. ^ "The Deep – ZZ Ward". Vevo. March 10, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  65. ^ "Help Me Mama – ZZ Ward". Vevo. May 18, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  66. ^ "Ride – ZZ Ward". Vevo. June 16, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  67. ^ "Cannonball – ZZ Ward". Vevo. July 6, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
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