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 a.k.a. Joel Ma (vocals, guitar, bass) Seed MC a.k.a. Countbounce a.k.a. Phillip Norman (vocals, guitar, bass) Paso Bionic a.k.a. Shahab Tariq (turntables) Yeroc a.k.a. Corey McGregor (drums, samplers) Duzy What a.k.a. 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 name was thought of and Gifted to TZU by Lee Hartney from The Smith Street Band. 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
- 2005 Australian Music Prize (AMP) - Best contemporary music album (Smiling at Strangers)[6]
- 2007 APRA Award - Most Performed Urban Work ("In Front of Me")[7]
- 2008 J Award - Australian Album of the Year (Computer Love)[8]
- 2012 8th AMP Longlist[9]
Media acclaim
- "Melbourne group TZU just can't stop upping the ante ... They meld classic eighties electro with the more traditional funk keeping the emphasis on authenticity and class throughout." - Rolling Stone Australia magazine (2008)
- "Computer Love is full of old school synth's , masterful sampling and live instrumentation - a maverick in its field and release that will set a new standard for the Australian music landscape." - Inpress (2008)
- "The four piece aren't your stereo typical hiphop outfit - Think laid back vibes and rhymes... Expect good times and a party atmosphere." - The Sun-Herald (2008)
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
- Position Correction (2004, Liberation Music)
- Smiling at Strangers (2005, Liberation) (reissued in 2006 with an added EP as Snarling at Strangers) ARIA #71 (Sept 2005)
- Computer Love (2008, Liberation)ARIA #23
- Cover Up Motel (2009, Liberation)
- Millions of Moments (2012, Liberation Music) (singles include Beginning of the End and Beautiful) ARIA #57, (Oct 2012)
"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
- um... just a liddlbidova mic check EP (2001)
- Limited Edition Tour Promo EP (2003)
- Dam Busters EP EP (2003)
- In Front of Me EP (2005)
References
- 1 2 "About". TZU on Facebook. Facebook. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ Louise Hall (27 March 2006). "Hip-hop without the usual bling bling". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ Birchgrove Boy; forever_orea (24 August 2004). "Interview with MC Joelistics from TZU". Digitalthugz. Digitalthugz. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ "TZU Biography, Links, J Play Ranking & song listing". J Play. J Play. 2006–2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ "TZU - Who's Next Winners Feature: Yahoo!7 Music". Yahoo!7 Music. 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2007.
- ↑ Brian Wise (6 February 2006). "Australian Music Prize; Shortlist Announced". ABC DIG Internet Radio. ABC. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ "Most Performed Urban Work Nominations - 2007". APRA|AMCOS. APRA|AMCOS. 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- 1 2 "Computer Love TZU". triple j. ABC. 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ Al Newstead (20 December 2012). "Hermitude Shortlisted For 8th Australian Music Prize, Amplive Concert Announced". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ "TZU release remix album". triple j. ABC. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2013.