New Weird Australia announces the fifth release in the artist release series New Editions – the sophomore EP release from Melbourne’s NO ZU, titled ‘New Age EP’.
Tracklisting:
1. Acropolis 05:04
2. (Reservoir) Psychic 00:53
3. Ghastly Blank 04:05
4. (Coburg) Mystical 02:31
5. Horoscope 06:59
Nicolaas Oogjes: Vocals, Trumpet, Percussion, Synth, Drum Machine
Andrew Noble: Drums
Adrian Vecino: Bass
Chris Morris: Synth, Programming, Bass
Tracks 1 & 3 written and performed by Oogjes, Noble & Vecino. Recorded by Nao Anzai & Oogjes. Mixed by Anzai, Oogjes, Noble & Vecino. Track 2 by Oogjes & Morris. Track 4 by Oogjes. Track 5 written by Oogjes, Morris & Vecino. Performed, recorded and mixed by Oogjes & Morris.
All songs mastered by Nao Anzai
Sleeve design by Heath Killen.
Inlay photograph by Callum Ponton and Oogjes
Released February 2011.
Sleeve Notes:
NO ZU first came to the attention of the label with their debut release, the ‘Graffiti EP’ in 2009, displaying early indications of their wild, ‘heat beat’ sounds, where delay-drenched trumpet meets worldly percussion & squalling synths jam with unashamedly plastic funk-dub bass-lines. This fusion has led to NO ZU being perfectly described as “a stoned Albert Ayler jamming with Konk”.
The ‘New Age EP’ sees the band exploring sound-scapes of rhythmic repetition in five variations, from uncomfortable synth meditations and percussion workouts to exercises in relentless, dark funk. Informed by their first year of live collaborative performances in 2010, the new EP displays a band pushing their sound with absolute freedom, in all directions, while still maintaining a focus on the overall themes and intent of the project.
NO ZU began as a solo recording project for Nicolaas Oogjes in 2007 and has since also evolved into an ever changing collaborative live band of like minded Melbourne-ites. Andrew Noble (Rat VS Possum) and Adrian Vecino (TTT) provide the core rhythm section for the live shows, while other collaborators come and go. It has also become a collaborative recording project, with Noble and Vecino co-writing and performing on two tracks for the ‘New Age EP’ and Chris Morris co-writing and recording with Oogjes on the latest release, as well as on the debut ‘Graffiti EP’ release.
The five track ‘New Age EP’ is available in two formats: a run of limited-edition CDs – housed in a gatefold card sleeve, with photo inserts by the band – available from NO ZU shows & New Weird Australia events; and a 320kbps / FLAC digital release.
Press:
“A warped and wicked, slanted psych dance collaboration of unsettled horns, itchy drums, plunky bass and seriously sun-damaged synths, New Age is a mind-bending, lighthearted listen. Standout ‘Ghastly Blank’ installs My Disco-style brutal bass chunks with The Fall’s brand of spontaneous and distant vocals with foghorn melodies. It’s other-world dance, alien trance and visceral punk all rolled into one.”
Einstein Music Journal, February 2011
“drifts between Talking Heads-alike funk rock grooves and modern tribal music a la Gang Gang Dance and full-electronic krautrock. Lots of whimsical yet meticulous rhythms and drums, dynamical bass undercurrents and stirring synth overthrows.”
Recent Music Heroes, March 2011
“One of the most exciting bands to be rumbling away in the Melbourne underground music scene”
Waves At Night, March 2011
