Songwriter Zoe Zobrist Starts New Chapter of Career with “Oh Baby”

Motherhood means changes, no matter what you do. It’s thinking about your child, and the world they’re growing up in. It also likely involves making some adjustments to your career.

These points get tossed around within the “having it all” narrative that’s persisted for the past few decades. Yet, artists feel it, too. Pregnant with her first child, singer-songwriter Zoe Zobrist addresses this change – and all the hopes and dreams she has – on her latest song, “Oh Baby,” out on September 24.

Zobrist tends to take a personal approach with every song she writes, putting her full emotions into her lyrics. Her honesty and ability to connect with an audience has remained a theme since her official debut in 2018, and earned her spots in FLAUNT, Under The Radar Magazine, and Culture Collide.

As well, she’s performed at The Viper Room, The Troubadour, and Dallas Fort Worth’s Six Flags Amphitheater, and was featured in John Mellencamp’s documentary that supplemented his 2019 North American tour. 

With “Oh Baby” marking a new phase for Zobrist’s career, we had a chance to talk about her song and plans for the future:

What made you decide to pen a single to your baby?

I write most of my music in a very diary-like way, writing openly about whatever I’m experiencing. Even if no one listened, writing like that helps me sort through whatever is happening at that current moment. This is such a big life shift, so that provides a lot of song inspo! 

What did you do differently on this track compared to your previous songs?

I recorded this in a live setting. It was one take all the way through. I just wanted it to feel very personal and raw. Like a love letter, you can listen to. 

How do you think parenthood will change your career?

I think it will definitely give me a lot to write about! I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this next chapter challenges me and helps me grow as a person in general. 

How did you get started with songwriting?

I started playing piano when I was 5 and grew up listening to a lot of my dad’s ‘70s record collection. I started writing my own songs when I was 7 – it was just sort of an innate desire I had to express myself. 

Professionally, how have you progressed as an artist since your first release in 2018?

I’ve learned quite a bit, done a lot of experimenting with different sounds, played some really exciting shows (Viper Room, Peppermint Club), was featured on the John Mellencamp tour, and then did a lot of writing over the pandemic period. 

In general, you tend to take a personal approach when writing your songs. What from your personal life ends up in your songs?

I do! Everything, either directly or indirectly. Relationships, trauma, questions. Writing really helps me make sense of the world the best I can. It’s very therapeutic for me. 

Will “Oh Baby” be a one-off single, or are you planning it as part of a larger release?

It may be part of a bigger collection! I have quite a few songs I’m finishing up right now, so I’m currently deciding how to roll them all out. 

With artists starting to tour already, how do you plan to return to performing?

I’m due this month and then going to take some postpartum time to heal, but as soon as I’m able to tour/play shows again, I’m really looking forward to it. I played an acoustic gig at 9.5 months pregnant and tend to just go for it, so who knows – haha!