Zach Deputy discovers success as one-man band

By John Benson

entertainment@vindy.com

Zach Deputy didn’t start out as a looping artist; however, that’s exactly where fate led the soulful singer and powerful guitarist roughly five years ago.

“Originally, I was in bands and never really thought this was what I was going to do,” said Deputy, calling from his South Carolina home. “I used to do it on the side, like on off days Mondays through Wednesday. Most of the bands I was in were weekend-warrior groups. So because of this, I would fill in the gaps with my solo show. I don’t know when it exactly happened, but at some point I developed a huge following for my solo show, and people started coming out in droves. There would be 500 people on a Monday for my solo show, and the band would be on the Friday for 125 people. I just saw this crazy thing happening. I never meant for it to happen, but it’s kind of like the people spoke.”

For the past few years, Deputy has been incessantly touring his unique sound, which is roots-rock based with hints of soul, calypso, dance hall, hip-hop, Motown and more. What’s unique about the artist’s approach to recording is the fact he utilizes an entire band in the studio. This unfettered technique allows him to not only fully realize his songs but also suggests plenty of room for improvisation during his live presentation.

Deputy said he’s about to release his next album, “Another Day,” in early 2011. A more mature release compared to 2009’s raw “Sunshine,” the upcoming project includes favorites such as the midtempo title track, the soul-funk jam “Make it Right” and the pop-soul “Sweet Renee.” Deputy said he’ll be playing new material at his show Sunday at Ace’s Wild Wings in Boardman.

Speaking of his upcoming gig, whenever an artist is a one-man show, the novelty aspect is never too far away. That is, audiences aren’t quite sure what to expect from a solo musician whose craft is geared around layering one instrument or sound (drums, guitar, etc.) on top of another and another until a fully realized song emerges before their eyes.

“I think that’s true, because for most people, looping is very novelty,” Deputy said. “It’s kind of got like the three-legged guy [stigma]. Sort of like, ‘Look at this.’ And I find that to be really cheesy. I don’t like novelty things, so I try to have the least amount of focus on the looping as possible. The looping itself should be an instrument not a novelty like, ‘Wow, watch what I can do.’ Because in all intelligence, that will fade away once people realize it’s just an instrument. It’s the same as a guitar or a bass. I want people to close their eyes and say, ‘I really love this music and not even think of a loop machine.’”

Whether or not Deputy will succeed in diminishing the loop aspect remains to be seen. However, keeping in line with his roots sound is Deputy’s hippie-esque mind-set regarding the power of his music.

“It’s music that cleanses the soul rather than pollutes it,” Deputy said. “That’s my favorite thing about music, because it lifts your spirits up. It makes you feel better. And that’s why we always say music for the soul, because if you’re just dancing, it’s just aerobics. And other than being just aerobics, we hope that it lifts your spirits and makes you have joy. I think that’s why people should come out, because they need to celebrate life.”