TZU

For the ancient chinese military strategist and author, see Sun Tzu.
TZU

TZU (Joelistics, left, and Seed MC, right) performing at the Melbourne Big Day Out in 2006
Background information
Origin Melbourne, Australia
Genres Australian hip hop
Years active 1999–present
Labels Liberation
Website http://www.tzu.com.au
Members Joelistics AKA Joel Ma (vocals, guitar, bass)
Seed MC AKA Countbounce AKA Phillip Norman (vocals, guitar, bass)
Paso Bionic AKA Shahab Tariq (turntables)
Yeroc AKA Corey McGregor (drums, samplers)
Duzy What AKA Dustin (keys)[1]

TZU (pronounced Tee Zed Yoo) is an Australian hip hop group, formed in Melbourne, Victoria. TZU uses instruments in live performances, giving their shows a rock-infused feeling.[2]

History

Formation

The group formed in 1999 as a side project, combining members of the groups Curse ov Dialect and Pan. The name TZU is taken from the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. The band originally called itself "Tzu" (pronounced tsoo), but changed its name due to the common mispronunciation of "T-Z-U".[3] In 2005, keyboard player, Duzy What,[1] was added to the group's lineup.

Reception

TZU has received regular Triple J airplay of Position Correction and Smiling at Strangers.[4] In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.[5]

Live

The group has performed at festivals such as the Big Day Out, Falls Festival, MS Fest and the Meredith Music Festival, in addition to smaller shows.

Awards and nominations

Nominations

Media criticism

Richard Kingsmill, Musical Director of Australian radio station, triple j, stated in regard to the band 2008 J Award nomination for Computer Love: "They open their album saying "TZU still feelin' awesome". I couldn't agree more. They keep growing as an act and expanding on their influences. This album has so much life and they're doing all this themselves. No mentors, producers or anyone getting in the way. Pure talent."[8]

Discography

Albums

"Cover up motel" is an anagram of "computer love" and the album of the same name features remixes of all of the tracks from Computer Love by the group's favourite Australian artists and producers. Remixers included M-phazes, Hermitude, Plutonic Lab, Trials (Funkoars) and Blue King Brown.[10]

EPs

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "About". TZU on Facebook. Facebook. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  2. Louise Hall (27 March 2006). "Hip-hop without the usual bling bling". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  3. Birchgrove Boy; forever_orea (24 August 2004). "Interview with MC Joelistics from TZU". Digitalthugz. Digitalthugz. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  4. "TZU Biography, Links, J Play Ranking & song listing". J Play. J Play. 2006–2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  5. "TZU - Who's Next Winners Feature: Yahoo!7 Music". Yahoo!7 Music. 2005.
  6. Brian Wise (6 February 2006). "Australian Music Prize; Shortlist Announced". ABC DIG Internet Radio. ABC. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  7. "Most Performed Urban Work Nominations - 2007". APRA|AMCOS. APRA|AMCOS. 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Computer Love TZU". triple j. ABC. 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. Al Newstead (20 December 2012). "Hermitude Shortlisted For 8th Australian Music Prize, Amplive Concert Announced". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. "TZU release remix album". triple j. ABC. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2013.

External links