From the US to THE WORLD! A vocal and musical chameleon. Previous artist on the Nfluential Group indie label roster. Smash songs from America to Africa. Artist/feature collaborator. Songwriter for MANY!
Hi! My name is Merna Zso, a Middle Eastern-American artist based out of Cali. I have been singing for over 25 years, songwriting for 18 years and can help with vocal arrangement for all types of singers and genres (male OR female). Was also previously signed to an indie label for 5 years. I help develop artists’ sound and help artists find their PURPOSE aka their “why”.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
Languages
- Arabic
- English
Interview with Merna Zso
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked on a song called “A Deux” with artist Kelly Zul from Congo Brazzaville, Africa. We were able to create a global sound that incorporated all three languages of English, French and Lingala. We even made a way to shoot a music video in the middle of the pandemic! Teamwork makes the dream work!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m working on a few songwriting projects for other artists as well as my next single that is dropping end April. I also help vocal coach a couple of high school kids!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet but I am looking forward to meeting some of these amazing creatives!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog. I’m an old soul!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That they would feel CONFIDENT, empowering, and in a lot of cases, healed. I get to the nitty gritty of it all and am able to help them pull from their own experiences and channel it into their art. It’s therapeutic in a sense because they are able to break down their walls, musically, artistically and even personally sometimes.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Everything. It’s healing. It’s an escape. It’s satisfying. I get to work with great artists and help them find their sound! I get to observe others’ creative process as well as bounce off of them. That’s how magic is created.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I get asked: “How do I get started? How long does it take to get recognized for my work?” My answer: “Just. start. creating. Start networking. Get yourself into the studio with other artists. ASK QUESTIONS. Know your “why”. Get involved in workshops and musician/artist communities and form rapports. Music doesn’t always take off over night! So put in the work, don’t listen to any of the haters and continue to assert yourself and persevere!!”
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That what I do is hard OR easy (lol) and that hard work is immediately successful and recognized since we industry folk know it’s way way more than that.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you looking for? What is your current and end goal? What is your “why” (meaning WHY and what is your purpose behind the work)? How deep are you trying to go lyrically and emotionally? What are you trying to say to your audience?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Keep an open mind and make sure you are understanding of what you’re looking for.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A fire starter, a machete, Inflatable raft with rows, fishing net and tent.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been singing since I was 2 Y/O, performing since 8 Y/O, auditioned for every singing competition show, signed to an indie label for 5 years and now working independently.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Soulful, confident, soft, power house, healing, empowering, moving, emotional.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Brandy, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Olivia Rodrigo, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Giveon, Lucky Daye, Tone Stith
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Make sure you take the initiative and allow yourself to help take charge in the creative process! YOU are the sound. YOU are the brand. YOU are an artist like no other. No get out there and shine bright!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: R&B Soul, pop and Afrobeat.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My vocal ability, vocal agility, vocal arrangement and songwriting.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring it to LIFE. I bring healing, emotions and truth to the music and always think and create outside the box.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Depending on what I am doing.. but I find beats or create songs through my acoustic guitar, document melodies and cadences, then write lyrics, then record and send out for mixing and mastering.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a remote studio setup and am able to get to work from home.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan, Christina Aguilera, H.E.R.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Female singer feature, songwriter, producer, vocal arrangement, artist sound development
- Singer - FemaleAverage price - $350 per song
- Songwriter - LyricContact for pricing
- Songwriter - MusicContact for pricing
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $200 per track
- Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $200 per song
For female feature - $350, For songwriting - open to negotiation/discussion, Vocal Arrangement - $200
