Zachary Cole Smith of the band Diiv is navigating a new chapter of his life and career. After moving past years of public struggle with addiction and rebuilding his life following the destruction of his Altadena home in a 2025 wildfire, the frontman has adopted a new perspective on music and community. He characterizes this shift as a turn toward playfulness and experimentation, signaled by the release of the band’s latest album, Zirp!.
The album, produced by Alex Cook, marks a departure for the group. While Diiv built its reputation on shoegaze textures, Zirp! leans into a more direct, tongue-in-cheek aesthetic. Smith wears a pinstripe suit and tie for his current media appearances to embody what he calls the recession-era stock market crash aesthetic. The band promotes this look alongside their new genre label, the New Alternative, which serves as a critique of modern corporate power and the current music industry landscape.
Smith holds firm views on the digital music economy, specifically regarding the dominance of major streaming platforms. He argues for the creation of publicly owned alternatives to the current system, describing the way artists are treated by large corporations as a form of resource extraction. These themes of anti-capitalist critique run through the lyrics of tracks like Evangelizer and The Crash, which paint a vivid picture of modern economic anxiety.
Personal life remains central to this period of growth. When wildfires destroyed his residence, Smith faced a rapid transition that tested his ability to maintain stability for his family. The community support he received during that time, including crowdfunded aid, shifted his outlook on interpersonal connection. He identifies these bonds with neighbors and fellow artists as a vital source of resilience.
Smith is now focused on collaborative efforts within his band. Having moved away from the more controlling habits of his past, he views the current iteration of Diiv as a democratic space. He continues to support others in recovery, seeing his personal growth as inextricably linked to his ability to show up for the people around him. The slow process of rebuilding his home continues, but for now, the focus is on the music and the connections that sustained him through a difficult era.