Western Sydney-based rapper, producer and filmmaker Zion Garcia shares his highly awaited EP “The New Film Star”, out independently today. LISTEN HERE.

Expansive and instinctual, each song on “The New Film Star” was produced and crafted by Zion, as he experimented with all stages of the songwriting process: “more hooks, more structure, more melodies, more ‘moments’,” in his own words. Throughout the EP, Zion explores what it really means to pursue the full breadth of his creativity, with an aspirational title signifying a triumph over both self-doubt and external prejudices as a mixed-race artist.

“We are often told from a young age by various people who we are, and what we are,” he shares. “Sometimes it feels written for someone like me- where I’m gonna go, and what type of person I’m gonna be. However, I’ve never fit any mould given to me. This project embodies just me starting my own new framework for people like me, who perhaps are a bit delusional but see something different for themselves, and will do whatever it takes to get there.”

Previewed with propulsive singles ‘FIGHTBACK’, ‘Sensitive’ and ‘SCORPIO SWORD’, today’s EP arrives with four unheard tracks. From ‘I Miss You Baby’, the autobiographical retrospective of a whirlwind LA trip (and Zion’s favourite song he’s ever made), the “classic ZG” groove of ‘Doing This’, to the distillation of all the EP’s themes within ‘This Feels Like Therapy’, “The New Film Star” closes out with today’s focus single ‘ZG in Da House’, branching into the world of club-ready electronica.

Watch: Zion Garcia – ‘ZG in Da House’ (Music Video)

With Zion challenging himself to write a song a day following a trip to LA, ‘ZG In Da House’ offered a window into creating without overthinking. Reaching beyond the traditional scope of his craft to generate momentum, the only sample to be included is a vocal chop from indie pop duo Water From Your Eyes. “I love the art of sampling and it’ll always be part of my process, but I wanted to show myself I could start ideas entirely from scratch,” he shares. “I never planned for the song to be succinct and have no longer rap verses, but once again, it was that thing of trusting my gut more. I loved how the song moved, and it’s probably one of the songs that didn’t change much from the OG first version to the version you hear on the project.”

Finding sparks of inspiration through the work of his favourite film directors, old-school hip-hop, Guitar Hero 2, as well as his collaborators and confidants within the Western Sydney music scene and beyond, Zion Garcia’s next-gen sound is shaped by the way he chooses to show up. Embracing a DIY rap volatility, he seamlessly weaves through disparate genres, and “The New Film Star” finds the middle ground between a blockbuster and cult classic of his own making.

Having firmly marked his place across Gadigal/Sydney’s music circuits, Zion Garcia’s breakthrough has been built from his heart-on-his-sleeve approach to life, drawing from his own identity, self-assuredness and indispensable commentary. Garnering extensive support across triple j, triple j Unearthed, fbi radio, Acclaim Magazine, rage and more, he has performed across renowned stages including Listen Out Sydney, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE.

Tonight, Zion Garcia will take to Eora/Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema & Bar for the EP launch and live concert film premiere, followed by co-headline dates with SOLLYY across Boorloo/Perth, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Meanjin/Brisbane, Naarm/Melbourne and Eora/Sydney throughout September and October. For dates and details, see BELOW.
“The New Film Star” EP is out now, buy/stream it here.