As an independent female artiste Ona Tzar composes and produces her own songs, Ona is one of the most hardworking female artists you would ever come across.
Even at a very young age, her teachers were able to see the artistic light beaming in her, her teachers later encouraged her parents to let that light shine brightest. Ona later started taking classes for violin and later flute, and played in orchestras for a while.
Ona has sturdily been nurturing her talents and rising up the ranks, she recently won “Best Original Score” at the Berlin sound fest as well as is nominated as a participating video in a handful of film festivals.
Even with little resources, Ona Tzar makes good use of the handful, as she wrote/directed/choreographed/edited and color graded the music video for her recent song – Chains Of Angels
The song is an alternative electronic romp through futurism and exploration of the shackles that bind; at times cinematic, emotive and pensive, at times danceable, with lush sounds that meet noisy textures and electronic elements/beats.
More of this was shared in a recent interview with Mister Styx of Musicarenagh, where she shared more about herself as well as portions of her private life.
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What is your stage name:
It is the same as my birth name; ONA TZAR
Where do you find inspiration?
Fellow artists that live and speak their truth with unquenchable inspire me. Art itself inspires me. Life inspires me. I tend to suffer more from an overabundance and overwhelm of inspiration and ideas in myriad directions , rather than lack.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
When I was a child my school reached out to my parents and told them that they intuitively felt/feel I am musical, and encouraged them to foster that in me. I took up violin at the time (and later flute), and played in orchestras for a while; though I gave the instruments up in high school, I often feel the dynamic of being in orchestra as a child still influences my compositions, as I tend to hear big crescendos, layer too many instruments, and feel/hear strings and orchestral acoustic instruments in my songs, even though primarily electronic based. I also grew in NYC surrounded by artists and musicians and practically lived /slept backstage, so somehow there’s an element of home in venues.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
Yes. My grandfather was a big opera singer in Serbia, who wouldn’t conform to the rules and got a bit exiled, my father is a fashion designer, and mother is a photographer… Art and artists were in my air my breath upon entering the world, and hopefully will be until I fade to the next dimension.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
Tricky was one of my main muses growing up; though I love and receive influence form multiple genres, trip hop and Bristol sounds were a huge influence for me, growing up.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I don’t know if I know anything, really 😉 I am more along the intuitive spectrum. I just create/feel, and am at the mercy of what arises.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
I have memories of being backstage at a Garbage concert in 90s NYC. Those memories stayed with me.
How could you describe your music?
A bit of storytelling and soundtracky; though I try to stray away, somehow the visual artist in me and my gravitation toward the cinematic dimensions, somehow always interweaves into my songs. Electronic, with organic influences. Bass and beat driven. Dynamic. Mystical and mythical. And never really exactly how I want it to sound, as I’m an impossible critic 😉
Describe your creative process.
Honestly, I am one of those that has an overabundance of ideas, in myriad dimensions and mediums, and I’ve suffered all my life from having too many ideas and being torn in multiple directions.
So I attempted to discipline and focus more in the last years, however, I’ve realized that, while some discipline is good, ultimately, I have to ride the waves and floods of inspiration while they are there.
If I catch the wave, I will often be a bit of a madwoman and whole up or completely immerse myself for days, to the exempt of much eating or sleeping either, until I’ve got the base foundation down… So as not to lose the flow (and also, it’s hard to stop wants the flood starts).
What musician do you admire most and why?
I don’t want to shortcut on listing names, but really there are too many. I admire and respect those that work on multiple aspects of their creative process (not just sonically); for instance perhaps also work with visuals, dance, so forth.
I respect those that truly tell their own authentic tale and have a world of their own. Those that leave and breathe art in every minute and every fibre. I respect those that work hard.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
Yeah, for sure… Maybe production wise the most. But I also look back on some tracks where I wasn’t thinking about anything or know much of what I was doing , and think there is also a majik and innocence /unboundness of ideas to that flow that learning more can’t replace, and can even potentially hinder.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
I’m mostly just my own worst enemy inside.
What are your interests outside of music?
Visual arts, cinema, fashion/design/architecture, psychology, dance, love, equality for animals and humans, energy, self growth, the realms and journey of spirit and living life with an eye on multiple dimensions.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
Maybe directing films/cinematography. Dance. Fashion. Forensic psychology and some kind of healing therapies.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
Being my own worst critic and enemy. Not quite producing or composing the way I want. My loathing of self promotion. The algorithm. Lack of support 😉
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
More fiscal and general support, in every direction.
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
Mmm… Good question. The title chose the project, not me choosing the title, really 😉 The themes of oppression and liberation were what the song told me it wanted to be about, and in the first draft the lyrics “Chains of Angels” came out.
What are your plans for the coming months?
Finish/release more singles, make another music video, get my live set ready to re-emerge into the live set world.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans
Plan on doing some witch housey meets industrial sound tracks with someone, as well as an impending music video with a DOP here in London.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
It’s in the heart, not the head.
