Bio

Zachariah Carlson a.k.a Famous Friend is an ASCAP award-winning Los Angeles based writer/producer/artist. Drawing on his upbringing in the fame-soaked, surreal dreamscape of west L.A., Zach created the alter-ego “Famous Friend” to poke fun at the worst and best parts of living in Los Angeles. Known for wearing red dresses, turquoise earrings, and pearl necklaces like Audrey Hepburn cast in a John Waters movie, Famous Friend blends beds of washed out indie rock guitars with sparkling programmed pop and post-punk drums, while exploring themes of isolation, jealousy, and everything else we’d never dare post online. 

This authenticity has resonated with fans leading to a recent viral social media campaign for the buzzy single “Tanlines” which quickly netted 1 million streams and several million social impressions. Follow up singles “Nora” and “Blue” have continued the momentum—thanks to staunch support from KCRW DJs Travis Holcombe, Nassir Nassirzadeh, and Raul Campos.

The multi-instrumentalist is also a frequent writer and producer for some of Los Angeles’s premiere indie and alternative acts like Winnetka Bowling League, Casket Cassette, and Nashon as well as composer for shows like the Emmy-Nominated “Alexa & Katie.” Famous Friend stepped back into the spotlight in 2023, releasing new music for the first time since 2019 and quickly found himself sharing the stage with Casket Cassette at The Roxy, headlining shows at Permanent Records and a playing a 17 date tour across the US.