Zach Bruce

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In a perfect world, Zach Bruce would be performing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans.
But today, the R&B crooner is driving through the rainy Seattle streets in his Puget Sound Energy uniform, going from house to house checking meters. The 22-year-old artist with the silky smooth voice who has recently gained national attention with his CornaBoys-produced single “So Easy” has come to grips with the harsh reality that until he inks a deal, the road to stardom can be so hard. For Bruce, that means working a 9-to-5 to make ends meet. But that only inspires him to work even harder toward accomplishing his dream.
“At times, it can be frustrating because it seems the one thing I’ve wanted my whole life is so close, yet just beyond my reach,” Bruce says.
Since joining SHADES, a Seattle-based traveling choir, as a 6th grader, Bruce says he has been determined to pursue a career in music. Over the years, Bruce has established himself as one of the premier double-threats in the Northwest with his ability to shine as a vocalist and songwriter.
“I want to connect with my audience through my voice,” Bruce says. “I feel like the world is in need of that real R&B. Back in the day, I could be in a bad mood, and listening to a Boyz II Men song would make me feel totally different. We are missing that feel good music. That’s what I bring to the game.”
“I’ve experienced a lot, from singing when I was younger,” Bruce says. “I grew up fast. I’ve experienced groupies, I’ve been caught up, and I’ve been in situations where I’ve been hurt. Plus, I came up around my older uncle who had lots of women in his life. I wanted to be like him.”
Some things never change.
On “What It Is”, Bruce wastes no time candidly explaining his lustful intentions to a girl he meets in the club, singing: “Now I can’t promise you the world and I can’t promise you diamonds and pearls / but I can turn that press into a curl.” ?While Bruce doesn’t shy away from the occasional one night extravaganza, he’s at his best on heartwarming ballots like “So Easy” where he acknowledges that behind every strong man is a strong woman. CornaBoys producer Pierre Medor, who has provided beats for the likes of Jagged Edge, Marques Houston and Donnell Jones, was impressed by Bruce’s creativity and vocal range.
“He definitely has a nice voice,” Medor says. “He’s like a mix between Carl Thomas and Anthony Hamilton. The first time I played it (“So Easy”) in the studio, everybody just fell in love with it.” ?And there lies the problem.
“It hurts because I’ve never in my life ever had anybody come up to me and say they don’t like my music,” Bruce says. “So to not be on a national stage or have a bigger fan base; it’s like, ‘how do I get there’?”
Trying to blow up in a city that last boasted a chart-topper in ’92 with Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” is a tall task for anyone. But Bruce, who performs at the War Room, a popular inner-city bar, every Sunday night, insists America shouldn’t close the casket on his city just yet.
“Seattle acts are so underappreciated because people don’t really come here to look for talent,” Bruce says. “But there are definitely a few real gems out here.”
If you are in the Seattle area, one of them may be checking your power meter. . . For now.
Written by Cecil Cross II