ZZ Ward to Rock The El Rey

Stephanie Hernandez

American guitar queen ZZ Ward has been the subject of much buzz recently. Her debut EP, “Criminal” was released in 2012 and ever since then, ZZ’s name and talent have been supported by not just fans but by huge industry players like Eric Clapton. Now, with the pending release of her sophomore album due out early next year, ZZ Ward has been out making the rounds and impressing the festival circuit with sets at Coachella, Bonnaroo and SXSW.

Born in the small town of Abington, Pennsylvania before relocating to Oregon as an adolescent and starting her first band with her father at age 12, ZZ always had musical aspirations. After catching the rock and roll bug, Ward moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career and signed to E. Kidd Bogart’s Boardwalk Entertainment Group. She quickly began work on her debut album, which included work with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz and the Tantrums. While she worked on her EP, Ward was simultaneously putting together a mixtape that featured reimagined versions of recent works by Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino and even Tyler the Creator called “Eleven Roses.” “Criminal” hit the airwaves in 2012, spawning her first round of hit singles including “Til the Casket Drops,” “Put the Gun Down,” “Move Like U Stole It,” and “Criminal (feat Freddie Gibbs).” “Put The Gun Down” broke into the top ten on the AAA radio chart and stayed there for ten weeks, while also making it into the Billboard charts as well. The record’s success paved the way for her debut album, “Til the Casket Drops,” to drop later that year with maximum impact. ZZ Ward was then scooped up by the late night train and was invited to perform on every show from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to Conan, and in 2013 made her way to an opening slot on Eric Clapton’s summer tour.

The accolades following this young star are endless. Now on tour promoting her debut while also prepping for her sophomore album, “This Means War” to drop in 2016 ZZ Ward is well on her way to becoming the next big thing in rock music. Witness it yourself.

ZZ Ward will take the El Rey Theatre Oct. 16. Tickets available here.