Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Danny Zee

Danyal Zafar (aka Danny Zee) is a multitalented artist who excels in all areas of his life, whether that be in acting, music, or modeling. He broke into the industry with a performance of “Muntazir,” which has over fifteen million views on YouTube. He followed that success with his first original single, “Ek Aur Ek 3,” which amassed over five million views on YouTube in just two weeks!

Since then, he’s moved to LA to further hone his craft and discover his true artistic self, which is articulated beautifully on his new album Blue Butterfly. Pop Culturalist caught up with him to chat about the release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Danny: I think it happened when I was around thirteen or fourteen. I learned that whenever I’d play or listen to music, I’d feel emotionally elevated and relieved. It’s strange: if I’d feel sad, I’d deliberately listen to sad music, and it would help me confront my emotions and win.

The way I feel when I express myself by creating music is unreal. It brings out the best in me. Creating
music has helped me deal with and celebrate every kind of emotion I’ve felt. I think that’s beautiful.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Danny: I would definitely say I was influenced a lot watching my brother, Ali, be an artist from childhood and being in a family where music and films had always been around. I grew up listening to Pink Floyd and Jeff Buckley, and they really inspired me to become a songwriter from an early age. Couple that with some crazy heartbreaks and voilà! I was in the studio producing for myself.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “So Long Goodbye.” What inspired the track?
Danny: “So Long Goodbye” is a reflection of sheer frustration when I had been betrayed. I remember when making the track, I was pretty pumped and was all like, “Imma show you how I’m over you” and what not. But life doesn’t work that way, and if your intent is to “show” that you’ve moved on, you really haven’t “moved on.” Hence, the switch in the track to this dropped-back moment of self-realization—followed by the hauntingly beautiful touch of the traditional Eastern Qawwali, where the girl’s perspective comes in, that translates to “don’t turn around and walk away from me, my love.” It’s when you decide to walk away that they didn’t want you to leave in the first place. And they realize it too late ‘cause by then you’re gone.

PC: “So Long Goodbye” comes off Blue Butterfly. Tell us about it?
Danny: Honestly, the entire album is so full of surprises. The intent is that the album makes you feel the pain of someone leaving you, as you walk through the memories and relive some as well.

PC: If you had to pick a song off of Blue Butterfly that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Danny: Wow, I tried thinking so much for this, but I really can’t put my finger even on a single track because literally all of them convey a different side of me as an artist. But my personal favorite is “Angels,” the last track of the album, because it might have some slight influences of artists I’ve grown up listening to, and it’s me at my most vulnerable self.

PC: You spent six months putting together your album. What was the biggest takeaway from the experience?
Danny: The acceptance of what I went through and how I’ve come out stronger than ever. Other than that, how I’ve matured as a producer, engineer, and songwriter.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Danny: I’m trying my level best to hit the road for touring prospects and get on the stage for sure. But apart from that, two more albums or EPs for sure!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Danny: Brad stank!

PC: First album you bought?
Danny: The Dark Side of the Moon—Pink Floyd

PC: First concert you attended?
Danny: David Gilmour—live in LA

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Danny: The Dark Side of the Moon. It entails the utmost level of artistic expression that goes to a level even beyond just “music.”

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Danny: The Forum LA, since that’s where I saw Gilmour perform for the first time as well as John Mayer.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Danny: A cheeseburger and my guitar

To keep up with Danny, follow him on Instagram. Pick up or stream Blue Butterfly today.