Getting To Know Zuu: The Exploding in Sound Exclusive Interview

Los Angeles' ZUU are easily one of my favorite up-and-coming bands in the country, and are just beginning to get the attention they deserve. With some very exciting upcoming plans, potential touring, internet buzz, and blossoming college radio success the band has a lot on its plate pushing towards their promising future. They were kind enough to answer some questions for Exploding In Sound, a proper introduction to a band that you will be hearing plenty about for years to come.



EIS: For those unfamiliar with the band, please introduce yourselves and what you play.

Omar: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Guitar atmospherics

Emvy: Lead Guitar and Guitar manipulation

Tyler Schwarz: Bass and Vocal Harmonies

Kevin Offitzer: Drums

EIS: How did the band get its name? How did you guys form? How long have you been playing together?

ZUU: Hard to tell exactly how it came about but basically we wanted a name that had little or no association with any word, something minimalistic, and ZUU is more of a sound than a word. When the debut EP first came out the name of the band was ZU, then we added an extra U as things progressed. The current line-up was formed over the last four years, although the first ZU incarnation, formed by Omar in 2003 , included other players on the first release. Tyler and Omar had known each other for several years and set out to write songs for ZUU's 2nd LP in 2005, while Emvy joined the group around six months later, still during the beginning of the writing and recording phase. Kevin joined us this Summer.

EIS: You just added a permanent drummer to you line up. Who is he? Relieved to have a solid drummer in the band? Who played drums on the album?

ZUU: Kevin Offitzer has been a great addition to the line up. He takes the vibe of the album a little further, which works great for the live versions of these songs. It's great to have him on board! A friend of ours, Erik Eldenius, played drums on the album, he also played drums on several tracks off the first EP.

EIS: While we all know what I hear in your sound, who do you actually consider your biggest influences?

Omar: Pixies, My Bloody Valentine

Emvy: I have a vast number of influences ranging in styles and genres. When I was writing for this album I focused more on vibe than parts. There aren't too many "leads" and more "moments". I'd say the main influences are Sonic Youth, Autolux, Tool, The Mars Volta, Radiohead.

Tyler: Tool, Tori Amos, The Clash, Elliot Smith, and Neil Young (the short list!)

EIS: It appears you’ve been rehearsing for live shows, can we expect any coming up in the near future? Do you have plans to play outside your region?

ZUU: We'll definitely be playing some local L.A. and surrounding area shows, then we intend to tour US and hopefully Canada in 2010, eventually with the goal of making our way to Europe where we've built somewhat of a cult following.

EIS: How are the songs working out live? Will they be strictly structured to the album versions or can we expect some improvisation

ZUU: The live versions of the songs sound very powerful. You would definitely hear most everything that's on the album, with a few minor changes.

EIS: Word on these internets is you are remixing/remastering your phenomenal sophomore album “Everywhere” with different producers/engineers to make the recordings as big as the actual songs. What can you tell us about that?

ZUU: Yes, we wanted our mixes to be more fully realized and after looking into different potentials of who to work with, we ended up hooking up with Ken Andrews of Failure, who you had recently interviewed on EIS. It was from your exclusive interview that we first learned he was mixing songs for various bands/artists and our manager [the incredible Mary, who is happy to help with any Zuu inquires] followed through with contacting him. We're working with him to remix the whole album for a proper 2010 release.

EIS: Have you received any of the tracks back from Ken Andrews yet? How are they sounding? Get to trade any recording tips with him? Any other producers you’re looking towards?

ZUU: We've received 3 songs so far and they're sounding huge..we couldn't be happier! We're not interfering too much with Ken's process..we look forward to finding out more about his techniques once the whole album's been remixed.




EIS: You guys have been gaining airplay on many popular college radio stations, ranking in the charts alongside 90s legends like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Were you taken aback by this? Have there been any exceedingly responsive areas/cities?

ZUU: We're really excited to see how the album's taking off.. just recently we were sandwiched between The Mars Volta and Alice in Chains on the college charts in the Chicago area... that was cool! The response has been more wide spread than regional. The West and East Coasts in the States have been really responsive. East Coast Canada has also seen a lot of airplay as have the Southern States in the US.

EIS: How would you describe the difference between your debut self titled album and “Everywhere”? What was the writing process like for “Everywhere,” and how long were you working on it?

Omar: There's definitely been a progression from the debut LP to Everywhere as the band's signature sound evolved through time with Tyler and Emvy on board. We worked on it from 2005 until late 2008 when Emvy and I mixed the songs for the initial release.

Emvy: Writing "Everywhere" was a big experiment. Songs in different stages being written, recorded and mixed. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. The album finally blossomed when Omar and I mixed it.

Tyler: Omar and I started this album writing songs for a mutual friend of ours who passed way, not really in tribute style but influenced by our feelings in the aftermath... Then it just took off in a lot of directions before Emvy solidified as the 3rd member during the writing/recording process. This album had a long turnover, it was a lot of searching ..In the end I still feel it is a record made with our friend in mind even after the time that has passed.

Kevin: From a listening point of view, I think the music, sound, and overall quality matured from the self-titled album to "Everywhere"

EIS: The album features enormous layers of guitar and bass effects. What are your favorite pedals?

Omar: I used vintage amps and guitars, and secret techniques to create guitar and atmospheric effects..

Emvy: My rig in particular went through many changes and phases during the recording of this album. Definitely a challenge on this one. I'd say pedals I can't live without are my Digitech Whammy, vintage Memory Man, and my Kaoss Pad that I run my guitar through.

Tyler: I used the Boss Gt-6B effects unit. I'm pretty minimal in that dept, but I really like it after trying a lot of stomp boxes.

EIS: With each repeat listen I find myself picking new favorite tracks on the album, does the same happen for you? Were the songs written with the others in mind?

ZUU: It probably all depends on the mood of the listener.. It's a good sign if people are connecting to different songs at different times. When we heard the Ken Andrews mixes it definitely highlighted the sound of the band, and even our favorites changed!

EIS: What inspires your lyrics? Has the LA scene delivered any influence?

Omar: The lyrics could be inspired from anything in the moment, the LA scene is an influence, perhaps more on a subconscious level...

Emvy: I'd say we're an LA based band with anything but an LA vibe! but some may disagree...

Tyler: For me the writing process, lyrically, was inspired by our late friend mentioned earlier..but I also drew a lot from the city itself, not so much the music scene, but the endless alley ways and rooftop adventures, old abandoned buildings and freeway overpasses all have this unique feeling that I love about the city, and I think you can hear it sometimes, or maybe see it.

EIS: After appearing on the Exploding In Sound compilation “Future Legendary,” I’ve heard nothing but incredible response to your music. Have you seen any reaction/feedback from your album or the compilation from fans?

ZUU: Yes, we have received responses from fans on music sites and from various music blogs, all very positive. The compilation has been a great promotional tool and we're very honored to be included on this latest one as the first track! We recommend "Future Legendary" as well as the other 2 compilations in your series, to every music lover we know. Can't wait to hear the next one!

EIS: What does 2010 hold in store for Zuu?

Omar: The Ken Andrews mixes and proper release of "Everywhere" and touring!

Emvy: SHOWS! SHOWS! SHOWS!

Tyler: Touring!

Kevin: Hopefully tons of shows, touring, success and some beers!

EIS: That's what I like to hear! Can't wait to catch you on tour, and good luck with everything. Thank you so much for the interview and I look forward to hearing the Everywhere "Ken Andrews Treatment Edition".