Sydney-based recording artist Zeliha, whose musical passion led her to form a blues jazz rock band and participate in the prestigious Australian ‘Battle of the Bands Hard Rock Café,’ has released her highly anticipated pop single, ‘Like Me’, along with its stunning music video filmed in the streets of Sydney, Australia.
We got to dive into the making of the video with Zeliha, the creative behind the visual and some of her favorite artists and more.
HEY ZELIHA, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST?
I’m an innovative artist who loves pushing musical and visual boundaries while maintaining a mainstream and relatable appeal. I thrive on thinking outside the box and being versatile in my creative endeavors.
TELL US ABOUT THE SONG ‘LIKE ME’?
The song ‘Like Me’ is about spreading positivity, self-empowerment, and the understanding that true happiness comes from within, not from the validation of others.
In today’s world, we are consumed by apps like Instagram, TikTok, and others, spending significant time on our screens, mesmerized by the seemingly “picture-perfect” lives of others.
We get caught up in the number of likes, comments, and followers, losing sight of reality. We need to love ourselves for who we are from within and accept our imperfections.
THE MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERED ON YOUTUBE A WEEK LATER, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THAT? WE HEARD IT WAS QUITE THE PARTY!
I decided to premiere the music video on YouTube a week later to create a fun and celebratory party atmosphere, showcasing the hard work of all the contributors. It was an amazing day!
TELL US ABOUT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF MAKING THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘LIKE ME.’
The creative process for the “Like Me” music video was a blast, though gathering 25 women was no small task! I aimed to highlight diversity and togetherness. The all-denim theme was a collaborative effort with stylist Collette Emily from Sydney, and I even built a denim wall from scratch, which I was pretty proud of. It was a big team effort, and I’m thrilled with how it all came together – music videos are my favorite!
HOW DID YOU CAST FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO?
I sought out friends and Sydney based models and dancers with the help of choreographer Zaniah Fae – All the women involved are incredibly talented and I’m so grateful I got to work with such an amazing cast.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE LOCATIONS YOU CHOSE?
The locations for the music video were a joint decision between me and director Oscar Dewis. One was a house in Sydney’s inner west, reflecting the character’s gloomy state of mind. The second location was an outdoor scene in Balmain, Sydney, with waterfront sunsets, symbolizing the song’s brightness and playfulness.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE CREATIVE TEAM YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO?
Everyone really! Director Oscar Dewis, Stylist Collette Emily and her team, Choreographer Zaniah Fae and her group of dancers, hair and makeup Yvette Slalom and her team.
WE NOTICE A LOT OF DENIM, WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT STYLING?
I chose to visually display denim with styling because I believe denim is such a universal fabric most people wear from all different backgrounds. And I liked the idea of putting different color denims together to spread a message of togetherness. It was equally important to have representation from a multitude of cultures and body shapes. Not one person represents us, and that was important to share.
YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
I have a new song coming out soon! And I’m currently working on my EP its getting busy now and I’m loving it!
WHAT IS THE REACTION YOU’RE HOPING PEOPLE GET AFTER LISTENING TO THE SONG AND WATCHING THE MUSIC VIDEO?
I hope people take away the message that it’s a reminder to put your phone down and look within to discover the self-love inside you, especially when seeking validation dominates your decision-making.
WATCH ‘LIKE ME’ HERE
You can follow Zelihaon on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify and more!
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