Zac Brown: From Midtown to the Main Stage
July 7th, 2025
From jamming in a Midtown apartment to touring the world with Tycho, Zac Brown has carved out a unique place in Sacramento’s music scene. A self-taught guitarist influenced by punk and indie roots, he blends a raw, DIY spirit with the atmospheric soundscapes of electronic music.
What began as casual experiments on an old guitar grew into a career that’s taken him across the country and onto stages alongside artists like Little Dragon. After two decades living in Midtown, Zac credits Sacramento’s creative energy and its tight-knit community for shaping his music and keeping him inspired.
In our recent interview, Zac shared his journey into music, his memories of Midtown Second Saturday, and what it’s like returning to Midtown as a featured artist. Read on to learn more about Zac’s creative path and why playing local shows still feels like home.
Can you share a bit about your background and what initially drew you to pursue music as a passion or career?
I really got into music in 7th grade. Before that, I would just listen to whatever was on Top 40 radio. I remember hearing Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song” during lunch at school and being blown away. But really, my older sister Georgia is the one that fostered my love for music. She would buy and dub me tapes of old punk, new wave, goth, and early indie music. Back in those days, you had to read about that stuff in magazines or know somebody really cool. That is kind of what got me curious about music – made me want to learn about it and learn how to make it. My mom had an old nylon string guitar in the attic, and I banged around on it and would jam every once in a while with friends, but I didn’t really start playing shows or write music until my late 20s with my cousin, Dusty Brown. From there I started playing in a bunch of bands, Tycho being one of them. As far as making it a career, I never really thought about it until it was on top of me. Tycho started playing more and more shows around the country, and we did our first real tour opening for Little Dragon in 2011. I think that’s when I realized that music could be a profession. The next few years were crazy busy with touring and writing. Once we finished our album Awake, things just clicked, I knew I found what I wanted to do, and it was actually realistic. It was a very exciting and fulfilling time in my life.
How would you describe your artistic style and what sets your work apart from other artists?
As far as it relates to my work in Tycho, I think coming from more of a rock background and being self-taught and not super technical helped me contribute something interesting to the project. I didn’t really have the skills to fit super complicated lines into music that was already so rich with melody and instrumentation. Early on I decided on trying to keep things as simple as possible and try to complement what was already there. I tried to make the guitar more of a percussive instrument using different techniques and FX. Scott and I talk a lot about trying to take the simplest route possible to beauty. Sometimes our music can sound complicated, but it’s really a lot of succinct parts layered together to make a complex sound.
Things like Second Saturday are at the essence of what Midtown is or was to people my age. I moved down here because I wanted to be a part of that art and music scene. I loved the range of what was going on here, from the more sanctioned and put together events, to the janky DIY shows where you could check out some art or a band and grab a free plastic cup of 2 buck chuck. At the heart of it, it was the same vibe. People getting together, creating, and being chill. I have definitely played my fair share of Second Saturday shows that range from that DIY vibe to playing with the Sac Ballet in Dusty Brown. My cousin Dusty and I would even sometimes jam in my old studio apartment on 24th and J with the windows open on Second Saturday nights before I had the guts to get up and play in front of people.
I’ve been here for the last 20 years for the most part. I moved back in with my parents in South Sac for about a year when I decided to make music my career, but music hadn’t decided whether or not to pay me in actual money yet. Haha. Once it did, my wife and I bought a little Craftsman on L street. I can’t really see myself living too far off the grid as long as I am in Sac.
What impact has living in Midtown had on your creative process or artistic style?
I think more than anything, it has just allowed me to be surrounded by creative people. People that inspire you or expose you to new things and ideas. People that you hit it off with creatively and can collaborate with. In my 20s and 30s I was at a show or DJ night four or five times a week. Even though I don’t go out as much now, there is still something in the art or music scene happening within a 10-minute walk from my house every night of the week.
What are some of your aspirations or goals as an artist, both in terms of your personal growth and the impact you hope to make through your art?
I think to just be able to continue being a part of making music that resonates with people. To be able to give people a little bit of joy or to inspire someone to make something new or different. Also, to continue to be curious with seeking out new music and ideas that can inform my playing and writing and help me grow as an artist. I think it’s easy as an artist in their mid 40s to rely a little too much on what brought you to the table. It’s definitely beneficial to have that foundation and identity, but I think what you consume as an artist is equally as important as what you create.
What was your experience like being a part of one of the first performances with Tycho at Channel 24 earlier this year?
It was a very special night. My wife, Liz Liles-Brown, was heavily involved in finding and launching the venue, and I was super proud of her and honored to be able to share that with her. The show itself was rad. There were so many familiar faces in the crowd and my cousins Dusty and Jessica Brown opened the show along with one of my best friends Kris Anaya. We have played Harlow’s a few times, which is always super intimate and awesome, but it was special to have the venue space to show Sac the full production that showcases Scott’s visuals and Mike, our Lighting Director’s light show.
Is there anything else you want to tell us/mention/promote?
We put our newest record, Infinite Health, out last Fall, and I’m really proud of it. We are planning on releasing some exciting singles soon…so keep an eye out. Hope to play Sac again soon and to see some new faces.
This Midtown Second Saturday Artist Feature is brought to you by Live Midtown Sponsors: Demmon Partners/16 Powerhouse, 19J Midtown, The Press at Midtown Quarter Apartments, and 17Central
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