We recently had the chance to connect with Zuko and have shared our conversation below.
Zuko, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
One my best days, the first 90 minutes of my day are going through/answering emails and DMs. Reviewing my list of tasks for the day. Then I make and eat my everyday breakfast of oatmeal with chopped up dried cranberries and a banana.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Daniel Day Zuko… most folks just call me Zuko. I work as an artist manager and booking agent through our company Moredopemusic.
As a manager, I represent alternative rock acts Forrest Isn’t Dead (Atlanta, GA) and Elijah Cruise (Knoxville, TN). We also provide booking services for a handful of acts such as Blanket Approval (NYC), Hooked Like Helen (Cleveland, OH), juno (San Francisco, CA), Rebecca Skelton (Gainesville, GA), Valories (Nashville, TN), MADWOMAN (Gainesville, FL) and a few more promising indie acts.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I’ve had moments throughout my life when I felt strong and content. My earliest memory of feeling truly powerful was when I was 16.
From about 12/13 until about almost 16, I used to wear a hat of some kind at all times. This was because I went through Alopecia and lost all my hair at about 12/13 years old. This was the 80s mind you. It wasn’t considered that dope being bald back then. Especially when “bald shaming” was at an all time high lol. It honestly shook my confidence.
When we moved back to the US in 1987, I decided I wouldn’t wear a hat anymore; and rock my bald head proudly. I got jokes… and periodically some dude might grab or touch my head as if that was acceptable. I had a few scuffles behind that. But the more I stood in my own light, the more powerful I felt in life… and in myself.
When I first lost my hair, I would pray every night for it to grow back. As I’m older, I now think Alopecia was one of the best things that ever happened to me. That experience, and the things I went through behind it, deeply shaped who I am today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
The best time is always right now. Take time to celebrate your wins and enjoy the moments while you’re in them.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Friends who know me best really understand that happiness and peace of mind are the things that matter most to me.
For me, happiness comes from being around the people you enjoy being around, and filling your days doing things that bring you joy. Peace of mind comes from knowing that my loved ones are living in line with what makes them happy.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
As I’m getting older and contemplate mortality more and more, I often consider this question.
I’m definitely not perfect. And honestly, I think trying to be perfect is a prison of our own creation. I’ve made a bunch of missteps, and I have a few shortcomings… but I genuinely like the person that I am. I would be my friend or colleague. I’ve strived to be honest, fair, helpful, considerate, and a positive member in my peer circles. Whether people tell others or not, I hope people I encounter feel that from me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moredopemusic.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moredopemusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moredopemusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moredopemusic
