Meet Zamir Stills | Music Producer/Composer & DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zamir Stills and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zamir, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Will Durant

I’ve learned over time that the best thing anybody can do to improve in a skill or an aspect of their life is to develop discipline. That can be with anything from becoming a better pianist to building financial stability for oneself. People, including myself, often search for that one trick that will result in instant success or gratification. This quote helps me remember that the best way to obtain long-standing excellence as an artist and person is to build positive habits that give me the best chance of being my best self.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All of my music comes from a genuine embracing of who I am, what I like, and what I feel. I sign off every email to my mailing list with the expression “Timeless + True”. This signature also serves as a mission for myself when I am creating to focus on making music for myself before anybody else. It is extremely easy to get caught up in worrying about a song not sounding like what is considered popular at the time. Chasing that popular sound, I believe, results in shorting yourself of your true creative expression. Consequently, what happens when that popular sound dies off later? I make music for myself first and foremost, no matter how crazy it may come off to others. When I create with this mindset, I’ve found that everything ages well when I come back to it years later and that I can feel what was inspiring me at that point. Other people can connect with that on a deeper level as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m still relatively new to exploring the Atlanta area. The pandemic has made it tougher to see all that it has to offer, but I’ve found a few places where I would definitely take people. There’s a record shop in Little Five Points called “Wax ‘N’ Facts” with a fantastic collection that I frequent for new albums to listen to. About 5 minutes out from there is a bar called Joystick that I really enjoy. They have a bunch of arcade cabinets and some other games to enjoy. Finally, for a spot to eat, it depends on the time of day. For really sunny afternoons in the summer and fall, Bartaco is fantastic. Enjoying some glazed pork belly tacos with an Oaxacan Sunshine is heaven. At night, when I really want to celebrate with people, I go to Thrill Steak and Bar. I’m a huge sucker for Korean BBQ, and it’s too easy for me to pig out there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I express nothing but gratitude to the close friends I gained in college. They’ve put up with my eccentricities and have been nothing but supportive in my creative pursuits and my journey in finding myself. For similar reasons, I’d also like to mention the people at CartridgeATL for welcoming me as I am into their community. All of these people make it so I can be confident in fully expressing my true self in all that I do.

Website: https://www.zamirstills.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zamirstills

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/zamirstills

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/zamirstills

Other: https://www.zamirstills.bandcamp.com https://www.twitch.tv/zamirstills

Image Credits
Photography by Jason Born