Zola Jesus, known offstage as Nika Roza Danilova, is a talented singer, songwriter, and musician. She’s recognized for her captivating voice and her unique blend of electronic, experimental, and gothic music. Her stage name, Zola Jesus, is a combination of Émile Zola, the French writer, and Jesus Christ.
Born in Wisconsin, she began her music career while studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s released several albums, including “Stridulum” and “Conatus,” which received critical acclaim for their dark, atmospheric soundscapes and haunting vocals. Her music often delves into themes of identity, emotion, and introspection, creating a deeply evocative experience for listeners. Zola Jesus’s work spans various genres, and her ability to blend different musical styles has earned her a dedicated fanbase. Her performances are known for their intensity and emotional depth, making her a standout figure in the alternative music scene.
Zola Jesus Quotes
1. “You are born and then you die, but in between you can do anything you want. It’s a society that creates rules for us, but you can break out of that.”
— Zola Jesus
2. “The most important thing for us to do as beings is to be aware of our position in the world on a micro and macro level.”
— Zola Jesus
3. “I guess something people wouldn’t expect me to listen to are artists like Alicia Keys. But she is so incredibly talented. She has this huge voice and great work ethic, which I really respect as an artist. She is also very humble and gracious and devoted to her skill.”
— Zola Jesus
4. “I feel like humans are a disease. It’s a hard thing to communicate in a pop song. I mean, who wants to hear that?”
— Zola Jesus
5. “My music started as a way to break through weaknesses – like anxiety, which was completely taking over my whole life, where I could barely function.”
— Zola Jesus
6. “No matter what you do, if there’s something you’re afraid of, you need to break through it.”
— Zola Jesus
7. “I started performing opera when I was 10 years old. I didn’t perform as Zola Jesus until I was probably 18. ”
— Zola Jesus
8. “I like to remind myself that everything is meaningless.”
— Zola Jesus
9. “And my music is always such a release of what I feel inside, an impulse.”
— Zola Jesus
10. “The greatest benefit of being a solo performer is that it is seriously frightening, but at the same time very empowering. It’s just you and the audience. All the weight is on you to deliver the songs.”
— Zola Jesus
11. “I don’t know why people think I’m a Goth – that’s a misconception.”
— Zola Jesus
12. “I know for sure that nothing matters.”
— Zola Jesus
13. “I feel like I am alone when I am in the presence of those I love. It is so freeing and comfortable, that you become one with them.”
— Zola Jesus
14. “It sounds kind of stupid, but I’ve never not wanted to be a musician. It’s been inside me since I was little so I don’t know what else I would do.”
— Zola Jesus
15. “The only reason I would write a break-up song is because of my own problem of allowing myself to relate to people.”
— Zola Jesus
16. “A lot of times I have the song inside of me and I have to fight to get it out. I’m a very visual person, so I can see the song but I can’t hear it. But I think that if your music becomes a war for it to happen, in the end, there’s a certain kind of aggression in the music. And I think that’s a lot more interesting.”
— Zola Jesus
17. “The word “theatrical” makes me cringe because it suggests a performance is staged, put on, or rehearsed. And while all this is true for an opera, I believe the act of singing and performing should always be honest, raw, guttural.”
— Zola Jesus
18. “Everything I do is a reflection of the duality within me. Musically, I really love things that are very synthetic and unnatural. And I also like the organic and human… the intrinsic, I guess.”
— Zola Jesus
19. “As a child, I was always making sounds; it was a compulsion. I loved to scream and yell and sing; it freed me from all the thoughts in my head. I begged for opera lessons because opera singing is the most formidable, most emotional way to use your voice.”
— Zola Jesus
20. “I try to create songs that are really massive and intense, but at the same time remaining honest and raw.”
— Jesus
21. “People don’t really understand who I am. They always think that I’m very dark or depressed, but it couldn’t be further from the truth!”
— Zola Jesus
22. “I think I’m making music that’s pretty universal.”
— Zola Jesus
23. “I don’t find much influence in opera. It was such a different part of me.”
— Zola Jesus
24. “True expression is hard when performing opera. The problem is that opera relies on the dramatic context of the piece. It can be interpreted and represented, but there are guidelines; there is a vocabulary within the pieces that you must know objectively and reflect on.”
— Zola Jesus
25. “There can only be one Queen Bey.”
— Zola Jesus
