Emerging talent, Zane Penny, has captured the essence of the dreamy northern allure of Anchorage, Alaska through a string of spellbinding singles. Marking his sonic footprint entirely within his hometown, Penny dropped his highly anticipated debut album earlier this year. ‘New Skin’ is a rousing display of alternative, angst-ridden tracks filled with harmonious guitar riffs and tender vocals. The album’s lead single, ‘Faker’ – produced in collaboration with James Glaves (Medium Build, Julien Baker) – is a special highlight which intertwines authenticity with raw emotion to deliver a dreamy indie-pop experience.
Listen to ‘New Skin’…
Following the release of the album and coming to the end of 2023, we sat down with Zane to talk through a momentous year.
Read the interview below…
Hey Zane! Anchorage seems like a unique backdrop for an emerging artist. How has your hometown influenced the essence of your music?
Whether I like it or not, Alaska is gonna be in the DNA of everything I make. I think living here has definitely caused me to get uncomfortably deep about whatever I’m writing about. I think that comes from the meditative nature of this place, it’s almost hard to not be reflective.
Your newest album “New Skin” is highly anticipated; can you share the journey of your musical career within Alaska, and how it is led to this new project?
My music career actually starts with filmmaking. I would shoot music videos for local rappers and my friends and I would put together all ages concerts in a WW2 bunker that was a vibe and a half. The whole experience of seeing my friends on a stage that we built and in a sense being their purest selves really inspired me to get my shit together and actually pursue this damn thing that I’ve been way too afraid of touching. I finally dropped my debut single at the very end of 2020 and I’ve just been slowly putting out singles and honing in on a sound since then.
Can you delve into the creative process behind “Faker”, and how the collaboration with James Glaves contributed to your introspective offering on the track?
I’ve tried to write albums so many more times before this one finally happened but damn there’s so much shit bouncing around in my head that sometimes it’s hard to catch an idea and really put it into effect. “Faker” was really special to me because it’s the first song I’ve ever released that I produced in its entirety, which is a full circle moment for me. Working with Glaves was also a full circle moment for me because bro was half of Medium Build back in the day, and Medium Build has been a huge inspiration over the years. Glaves is also just such a chiller, we had a blast putting this thing together and because I’m such a fan, his insight was really valuable to me.
What artists and influences inspired you and your music?
Lots of people from the local anchorage scene like Medium Build, Husse, and Quinn Christopherson, but I pull from a lot of things like nature, traveling, trying psychedelics and getting ego death etc.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
It has always been and always will be Hayley Williams. I am in love with her.
What are your favourite moments and highlights from 2023?
I went on my first tour this year!! Which was insanely sick, I got to open for Turnover which was crazy because Waka Flocka was back stage buying us shots before hand. I also dropped my very first full length project. Lots of firsts this year, love you Waka.
Looking ahead, what can fans anticipate from you in terms of new projects, collaborations and performances in 2024?
This year I’m really gonna get the swag together that’s a big goal of mine. I’m gonna to drop some slappers and go on tour again in May!! But you know, most of what I’m excited for is the random unplanned shit that happens and ends up becoming my dad lore or whatever.