via 5 Gum
Zedd is back, and this time, he’s on a mission to find his Telos. It’s a fancy ancient Greek word for your life’s aim or ultimate purpose. The Stoics believed that discovering one’s Telos was the key to living a fulfilled and virtuous life—a philosophy that Zedd seems to embrace as he channels this ancient wisdom into his music.
Nearly a decade after his last album, the Grammy-winning producer returns with Telos, a record that’s all about chasing meaning and making music that matters. It hits streaming platforms on Friday 8/30. It’s positioned to be one of the biggest electronic music releases of the year, sure to make cultural waves.
But don’t worry, it’s not all deep philosophy—there’s plenty of fun too. Zedd’s been keeping busy with a secret a NYC rave in collaboration with 5 Gum® that brought him back to his underground roots.
He’s also teamed up with some music industry serious heavy hitters. There’s a collab with John Mayer on Telos that’s so smooth it practically melts off the speakers, and a daring cover of “Dream Brother” by the late, great Jeff Buckley (yes, really).
We also dive into Zedd’s experience watching Mayer perform with just one finger alongside Dead and Company at the Sphere in Las Vegas this summer. Plus, we chat about the epic rise of EDM from 2010 to 2014, a cultural moment that defined a generation of millennials and shaped Zedd’s career.
In this episode of The Mostly Occasionally Show, I sat down with Zedd to talk about the journey to finding his Telos, his latest adventures in music, and how it feels to create something that just might stand the test of time.
Trust me, you’re going to want to hear this one. Tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or read on for the highlights. Keep reading to learn more.
Brandon: How’s everything going right now? How’s your day? You’ve got a lot happening.
Zedd: Yeah, everything’s going great. I’m in an incredibly busy period of my life—about to release an album, perform a very intimate show here in New York, and I’m in the middle of tour programming, prepping, and rehearsing. A lot’s going on.
That sounds intense. Let’s talk about this bodega concept and the secret rave you’re working on with 5 Gum®. I’d love to hear it in your own words.
At this point in my career, I get excited about doing something I haven’t done before or don’t often get to do—something that genuinely excites me. It’s been a long time since I performed for a small group of people. Usually, my shows are for larger audiences, which I love because I can put on an elaborate show. But playing for just 25 people who had to fight to win their way in? That’s special. I’ll be able to see every single person; I can’t hide behind the stage. I’ll be right there with them. It’s going to be awesome.
Yeah, usually you see what’s happening in the front row, but you don’t get a sense of what’s beyond that.
Exactly. Those are most of the people. But in this case, everyone will be right around me, all feeling the same energy. Sometimes when shows get big, different groups form within the audience. You can tell who’s going crazy and who’s not feeling it as much. But here, it’s going to be one energy ball surrounding us all. It’s going to be awesome.
That’s incredible. And doing it in New York City, where you might just stumble into a room where Zedd is doing a small show, is what makes the New York experience so special.
It’d be amazing if people just walk by and think, “Oh, this is cool. I’ll watch a little more.” I don’t even know what to expect because I’ve never done this before. It’ll be as unique for me as for everyone else who’s there.
That’s awesome. So you’re working with 5 Gum®, and there’s this natural bodega energy. It’s 4:00 AM, you’re in New York City, you’ve just left Brooklyn Steel or House of Yes, and you hit a bodega. What are you buying?
Okay, I was told exactly what I need to try, but I’ve never heard of it before. It has the word “cheese” in it.
Chopped cheese.
That’s it! I told myself to remember this for when I’m here. Is that really what I’m supposed to get?
It’s pretty incredible. It’s basically like a deconstructed hamburger in a roll.
That sounds amazing.
It’s a New York City staple.
Then that’s my choice.
Alright, you’re getting the chopped cheese on the way out of Pacha, back in the day. RIP.
That was a great place. I got to play there before it shut down.
Yeah, it was awesome. Did you ever play Output before it shut down?
I don’t believe so, but I do remember playing at Pacha.
Collaborating with John Mayer: The Story Behind “Automatic Yes”
Awesome. Well, we have to talk about the new album. It comes out next Friday, and you’ve been teasing all these records. The creative is beautiful, the art is incredible. It’s your first album in almost 10 years. How do you feel about getting ready to release it?
Honestly, I’m excited. A couple of years ago, I probably would’ve predicted I’d be way more nervous, but I’m surprisingly not. I’m just excited and anxious to finally share it. I’m confident in the work I’ve created. I think when you’re nervous as an artist, it’s because you’re not being completely yourself, trying to please a part of your audience that’s never satisfied. People will always want another “Clarity,” but what they don’t understand is that “Clarity” felt special because of what it was at the time. Everything is a moment in time. If I made that song today, it wouldn’t feel the same. I’m not interested in looking back and trying to please certain opinions. This album is for me—I checked every box I wanted to check, worked with the artists I wanted to, and blocked out all the online voices. I’m confident in this album because it’s the most honest version of myself.
How did you thread the needle with the record with John Mayer, “Automatic Yes”? I’ve only heard the blurb you posted, but it’s beautiful and innovative. I’m curious about the behind-the-scenes.
Zedd: When I was making the album, I had to cut everything that didn’t fit the concept of Telos. “Automatic Yes” was one I chopped off because I didn’t know what it needed. I was stuck with it. I started working on it in 2020, but it never got to the finish line. John heard it and said, “I know exactly what this song needs.” We met in the studio, and he came up with the phrase “Automatic Yes” with a melody. We rethought the whole song around that. Without giving too much away, he took it to a place I would never have reached on my own, and I think it’s somewhere John wouldn’t have gone alone either. It’s the best kind of collaboration, where two artists create something new together that they couldn’t reach individually. It’s organic, funky, dancey, soulful—it’s somewhere between John Mayer and Zedd.
Seeing John Mayer with Dead & Company: A Mind-Blowing Experience
Did you get a chance to experience John Mayer’s work with Dead & Company at the Sphere this summer?
Yes, and it was mind-blowing. I got to see one of the last shows, and I left with so many ideas and inspirations. John had his finger injured and had to play with one less finger, and he was still better than 99.9% of guitar players out there. It was incredible.
I was at one of those shows too. It was amazing to see the crowd react to that level of talent, even down a finger.
Honestly, it was a very peaceful and positive experience. Everyone was just there to have a good time, with no judgment. The show was incredible.
That energy carries over to your shows too, I think.
I appreciate that so much. I’ve never watched my show from the other side—I’m always focused on making sure everything’s right—but I love hearing that. Thank you.
Why Telos Took Nearly a Decade to Complete
I’m fascinated by the name of the album, Telos, because it’s such an important ancient Greek concept—fulfillment, aim, goal. It wraps up finality and purpose in one word. How did you land on that?
We didn’t finalize the name Telos until the day I had to deliver the album. I wanted to keep it open, in case something changed my mind. But what made us all feel connected to Telos was that this is the album I’ve always dreamed of making but never had the time or courage to do. Before, I was under time pressure to deliver albums, but now I just don’t care. I took as much time as I needed, even if it took nearly a decade to feel like the first time again. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. I’m here for quality, not quantity. I want this album to be loved 20 years from now, with new details to discover on every listen. I achieved my ultimate goal. Even the idea of Telos as “end” resonated with me at one point because I was so exhausted that I thought this might be the last thing I ever put out. Every meaning of Telos felt right, and when we delivered the album, it was clear that this was the word that summed it all up.
Blurring Genres and Redefining EDM
We’re living in a great era of music, with a lot of genre-blurring happening. Do you feel like you’re pushing the boundaries of not just electronic music but how limitless it can be?
Absolutely. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do—show how amazing electronic music can be. When I started out, I was a rock guy in a metal band. People thought electronic music was just dumb techno, just a kick drum and nothing else. I wanted to show that there could be amazing musicality and genius moments in electronic music. I’ve always wanted to push the boundaries of what EDM was and is, and now, with Telos, I finally had the courage to go all out and collaborate with artists who have inspired me throughout my life. I wanted this album to be the most honest version of Zedd there is.
Honoring a Legend: Zedd’s Tribute to Jeff Buckley
You also have a feature with the late, great Jeff Buckley on “Dream Brother.” How did you narrow it down to that song? Why Jeff Buckley?
I grew up with Jeff Buckley’s music, and it’s always been wildly inspiring to me—especially his voice. “Dream Brother” has always resonated with me, and I was curious about how it would feel in a dance format. I’ve always heard a different variation of it in my heart that would keep Jeff Buckley’s DNA alive. This idea dates back about eight years, when we reached out to the estate about recreating a new version of the song. The estate liked the idea, and without even having a demo, they trusted me. They went back to the studio where “Dream Brother” was recorded and reprinted the tapes so I could sort through everything and recreate what I wanted it to feel like today. It’s an unspeakable honor to have a song with an artist who inspired me deeply and hopefully carry that DNA forward, maybe even expose more people to the genius of Jeff Buckley.
A new generation discovering Jeff Buckley, the way people are rediscovering artists like Steely Dan, is so important for music culture.
I agree. The collaborators on my album are all deeply inspired by Jeff Buckley too, which is awesome.
Definitely John Mayer.
John, Muse—most of the artists I’ve worked with have been inspired by Jeff Buckley. It just feels right.
Reflecting on a Decade of “Clarity”
I’ve got two more questions. First, looking back at your past work, like when Clarity and Stay the Night came out nearly 10 years ago, your music has become part of a generation’s nostalgia. How does it feel to be the creator of something that lived in a specific moment but now serves as a collective memory for a whole generation?
Honestly, I’ve never been asked that before, so I’m not sure there’s a perfect word to describe it, but I’m incredibly proud and honored. I grew up watching TV shows that would sum up decades of music with just a few songs per year. As time goes on, only certain songs are remembered. For example, there’s a classical piece on my album from the Well-Tempered Clavier by Johann Sebastian Bach. That piece has lasted over 300 years, so to think I’ve created a song that’s still celebrated 10 years later is mind-blowing. Every show I play, Clarity becomes a bigger moment. People even chant it after the show. I’m honored to have created music that resonates so deeply with people, even across generations.
via 5 Gum
I think it was such a specific era when EDM and dance culture were riding an insane cultural wave. For those of us who came of age during that time, it was a unique energy.
It was an unbelievable time. Everything felt different. And you’re right—my friends and I came up during that 2010-2013 era of positive electronic dance music. But it’s important to keep evolving as an artist. I’ve made songs recently that sounded like what I would’ve done 10 years ago, but they didn’t feel the same. I could make 10 more Clarities, but they’d never capture that same magic. It’s essential to move forward, evolve, and cherish that incredible memory.
A Cameo with Comedy: Zedd’s Role in Chad & JT Go Deep
One last question— I have to ask because I just saw Chad at Ralph’s last night. How important was it for you to be featured in the Netflix series Chad & JT Go Deep with two of LA’s best comedy talents?
*Laughs*
It was an honor. I love those guys so much. We’ve met and hung out, and it was amazing to be part of something they created. Honestly, I’m more stoked about being in a show with them than just being on Netflix. I’m deeply grateful they included me. Big shout-out to Chad & JT.
I’m sure they’ll have to join your next tour. It’s important!
I agree. It’s a must.
Anton, thank you so much. Congratulations on the new album, and best of luck. It’s going to be a great cultural moment.
Thank you. I really appreciate the kind words.