INTERVIEW: Zeroz discuss their origins and influences alongside new single ‘The Stupid Song’

Following on from their much-loved studio album ‘LOL’ last year, enigmatic duo Zeroz recently returned to the fold with their stellar comeback single ‘The Stupid Song’.

Bringing back more of that broad and hazy shoegaze-inspired aesthetic they have crafted over the years, ‘The Stupid Song’ sees them returning to the fold in fine form throughout. So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and influences over the years.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

Nirvana. I hated music when I was like 5-9 because I spent that time with an abusive alcoholic family that played loud classic rock all night. After switching families, my older brother played Nevermind for me and everything changed. 

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?

My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Sleigh Bells, The White Stripes, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Sex Pistols, The Velvet Underground

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

Yes, I listen to mostly non-rock (with a healthy smattering of rock thrown in). Classical is my favourite, and Mozart is my favourite composer/musician ever–I even practise his music on my piano. I also love hip-hop, electronica, folk, City Pop–tons of other genres. It’s really all about the music and not the genre for me.

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

I am insanely driven to create music, more and more, and better and better–I couldn’t stop if I wanted to. I am sure I will die still hoping to create something truly great. For lyrics and themes, I mostly get my inspiration from Anime, which I watch all the time.

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?

Singing always makes me feel happy, but mostly, I feel very antagonistic towards the audience in a live show, and I like being wolfy like that–the feeling of a fight. One show (years ago for a different project), my friend and I played at a tavern/bar in PDX. We killed half a bottle of vodka and then were informed we only had 15 minutes to set up and play our set (because the previous band went over and we were the last band of the night), and we didn’t even have our own equipment. The PA and amps did not work with our setup, so we just plugged in our guitar and bass and started screaming “We suck! We’re so stupid!” while blasting noise. One lady even got up and shouted “Yeah, you do suck!”. I’ve never seen an audience more horrified, or a bartender more disgusted. We were banned, it was glorious.

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

A lot of amazing people have been liking and supporting us and reaching out to us this year–letting us know how much our music/art means to them–and there is really nothing more rewarding than that. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

How would you define success as a musician?

If you can master your instrument (or instruments in my case); if you can actually see/hear music for what it is; and of course if you can actually write and create good music, then you have succeeded as a musician in my book. Financial and commercial success is something else entirely, but in the long history of music–that stuff is honestly irrelevant once you’re dead; and for the majority of time and space you are dead or unborn.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

If you don’t want to become a truly great artist, there is absolutely nothing wrong with simply enjoying music, and playing for yourself and friends–you don’t need to be famous to enjoy that. If you do truly want to be great, then fight harder than anyone else, be tougher than anyone else, and prepare yourself for absolute hell with a smile–because the world of successful art is very mean, not a meritocracy, and if you’ve grown up super poor like me it is a constant fight to the death.

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Listen to Zeroz’s new single ‘The Stupid Song’ below.