Nadja Zela

Professional

Professional activities:

Coaching
E-bass
E-guitar
Lyrics
Music live
Music studio
Performance
Producing
Production
Vocals

Hobbies and interests:

Ableton Live
Reaper

Projects:

Nadja Zela Patient Records

Pronouns:

she

I am a Zurich-based avant-rock musician, singer, guitarist, lyricist, producer and run the small indie label Patient Records.

In the early 90s, I spent many years on the road with my two all-girl bands, “Rosebud” and “The Whooshings”. Later, I founded the rock & soul band “Fifty Foot Mama” (–2010) and worked in several other bands as a singer, bassist and guitarist, such as “The Calling Sirens”, “Sportsguitar” a.o.

Collaborations with Big Zis, Fiona Daniel, Anna&Stoffner, Vera Kappeler, Galotti Music School and with well-known Swiss literature writers in major touring projects such as Susanna Schwager and Ariane Koch (Aufdrängung/Andromeda).

I have a CAS in composition for film, theater and new media and worked for two years with the HORA'Band for a theater production by Theater Hora and just finished a score for a 90min documentary movie.

I have received several awards for my work: z.B. Werkjahr der Stadt Zürich, Stipendium der Stiftung Arvore, ERB Werkpreis, Auszeichnung für besondere Leistungen im Bereich Kultur des Kt. Zürich

I tend to avoid any academic musical approach and prefer the DIY style to new instruments and technical things. Artistically, I am interested in projects that can both touch and amaze the audience. In this respect, my approach is similar to that of a more experimental artist who is constantly reinventing herself, with a tendency to irritation. However, the comforting element in music, the connecting aspect, is important to me.

During all my years in music, I was politically active for FINTAS, but also as an artistic coach and friend for young women in the music scene.

I am a mother of two children and also work as a graphic designer for book publishers and art projects.

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