Kendra: Being born into a musical family, was there ever any moment in your life where you thought you might wind up doing something completely different? 

Tami Neilson: I’m afraid being a musician from the time I was a child, touring with my family band, that it’s been well and truly hardwired into my DNA! I can’t really imagine a life without it.

Kendra: Again, being that your father was a musical man, what do you think he’d say about you dueting with the icon that is Willie Nelson on a song penned with him in mind? 

Tami Neilson: “That’s my girl!!!” When Willie first sent the song through with his vocals on it, I wept thinking about this very thing. I know he would’ve been absolutely bursting with pride, but, I honestly don’t think he would’ve been surprised. He encouraged me and believed in me and tried to instill the confidence that I could accomplish anything despite the odds stacked against me, telling me to never give up. So, anything accomplished continues to be one of his accomplishments. He built the foundation on which I stand.

Kendra: That song, “Beyond the Stars,” is so beautiful and moving. I always wonder about musicians and these types of songs that come from such a personal part of themselves – is it therapeutic each time you play it live? 

Tami Neilson: There is something really sacred about this song, for many reasons. It’s me keeping a promise to my Dad, that his music would never die and that I would be his voice and he would be remembered. The first time I performed this song in front of an audience was my first international show in two years, with Willie Nelson standing next to me. 

So, that continues to be a core memory that I remember every time I sing it live. Willie had just lost his beloved sister, Bobbie, days before we performed it on his ranch in Luck, Texas and it then took on even deeper meaning and became a song for him to process his grief. So, I definitely feel all of these things each time I perform it.

Kendra: Since we just talked about Willie Nelson, he has these signature braids and you’ve also got a bit of a look going on with this silhouette of dress, but more so elaborate crowns. Visually stunning and a conversation starter. What’s the idea behind those? 

Tami Neilson: My visual creative expression has always been just as important to me as the audio it goes hand in hand with my music. Like Dolly, Bowie, Prince, Grace Jones…I’ve always been drawn to artists that create for both the eyes and ears. Whether it’s sporting a beehive wig custom-made for me by a drag queen on my last album ‘CHICKABOOM’ or a collection of crowns or headpieces for my new album ‘KINGMAKER,’ my visuals are always part of the story I’m telling. But, more than anything else, it’s FUN!

Kendra: On top of “Beyond the Stars” you’ve got your latest, “Baby, You’re a Gun.” Oh…it gave me big sultry, Western movie vibes. Very much like something we’d hear in a Tarantino movie today. However, if you could place it in a movie from recent years, what movie would you choose? 

Tami Neilson: You hit the nail on the head- a Tarantino movie is a bucket list! Movie soundtracks are some of my favourite albums and I wrote ‘KINGMAKER’ with that in mind. I wanted to produce a cinematic album that tells a story and music that follows that arc, rather than adhering to one genre.

Kendra: All of the above and more can be heard on your July 15th release, ‘KINGMAKER.’ How do you feel you’ve grown as a songwriter in particular since 2008’s ‘Red Dirt Angel?’ 

Tami Neilson: Wow, I haven’t heard that album title in a long time! Well, since then, I’ve moved across the world from my family in Canada to make a life for myself in New Zealand, got married, became a mother twice over, and suffered the loss of loved ones, so, my songwriting reflects a whole lot of life, love, and loss that’s been lived in the last 14 years.

Kendra: So you’re paying homage to the places you’ve called home this summer, touring Canada and New Zealand. What can people expect heading out to these dates?

Tami Neilson: Touring Canada is going to be a wonderful family reunion with my brother Jay joining me again- I can’t wait to bring these new songs to life with him and my Canadian band and to be back home again! Touring New Zealand is going to be pretty special, as I’ll be joined by our best orchestras and string sections throughout the country, so, trying not to choke up with that orchestral power behind me will be my nightly challenge!

Kendra: As you mentioned, you moved to New Zealand back in 2007. What inspired the move around the world?

Tami Neilson: You only move that far away for one of two things- love or money. Sadly, mine was love. Ha!

Kendra: Time for a side note – with it being summer, I’d love to know your go-to summer anthem? Like what song must you listen to when the weather is perfect and the sun is out? 

Tami Neilson: Well, it’s winter here in NZ, but, while I’m back home in July sneaking in some summer, Lizzo’s “Good As Hell” will be blasting in the tour van!

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘KINGMAKER’ out on July 15th and dates already on the books for this summer, are there already plans brewing for a fall tour? 

Tami Neilson: I’ll be in Europe for some festivals in Sept before I head to Nashville, where I’ll be performing at Americanafest! Then it’s off to Australia in October.

The post Going Beyond with Tami Neilson appeared first on ZO Magazine.

It feels like years have passed since I shot questions over to Yumi Zouma. Then they were on the heels of releasing their third album, ‘Truth or Consequences,’ and starting a new set of dates. However, reality had other plans for them (and the rest of the world) due to the coronavirus pandemic that’s caused everyone to take a seat wait. They managed to play one of their scheduled shows before the rest of them were canceled.

“We were heartbroken as we were so excited to do the tour – it was our first tour where every show was sold out. And in terms of new places, it was our first time playing Treefort Music Festival in Boise. They’re rescheduling for a later date though, so hopefully, we’ll get another chance this year,” said their own Charlie Ryder adding, “We have no idea. We’re all at home under lockdown. We’re going to try and do another run of shows for later in the year, but we have no idea how long this Coronavirus outbreak will last for. It’s an extremely uncertain time for us. But we know we’ll be back because, at some point, COVID 19 can’t stop ‘Truth or Consequences’ from reaching the world.”

While we all hold onto hope that we’re back to our regularly scheduled lives sooner than later, get to know more about Yumi Zouma’s sound, teenage hair woes, and more with not only Charlie but Christie Simpson.

Kendra: When you’ve got members from around the world coming together, does your sound pull from where you each originally called home, or do you guys focus more on where you’ve been together as a group?

Charlie: Our music references the places we’ve been to a lot as a group (recording on Southwark St, staying in Yoncalla, etc), but the sound is definitely inspired by New Zealand. Coming from such an isolated country at the bottom of the world, your music tastes are infinitely more shaped by local bands, as they are usually the only bands you can go see live, except on rare occasions. Therefore we were shaped a lot by the local tours and festivals put on by people like Blink from A Low Hum, and bands that were popular when we were teenagers, such as The Mint Chicks, Cut Off Your Hands, Conan and The Mockasins, and the Shocking Pinks.

Going back further than that, it’s hard for a New Zealand band not to be influenced by the icon artists of previous eras such as the Jean-Sartre Experience, Split Enz, and The Chills. But first and foremost, our fellow Christchurch artist Bic Runga is someone we regard as being at the pinnacle of songwriting. Her album ‘Beautiful Collision’ is one of the best albums ever, and will influence us for as long as we live.

Kendra: For ‘Truth or Consequences,’ the overall lyrical content is more universal than anything. Songs of heartbreak and distance between people on an emotional level hold this record up. Do you have any song in particular on the album that you were nervous about releasing due to the memories it would bring back to you in the long run?

Christie: That’s a really good question – because yes, there are definitely a few songs on ‘Truth or Consequences’ that talk about some emotional and weird times from my recent past. We started working on this album back in 2017, and since then my circumstances have shifted quite significantly from what I was going through at that time.

I’ve been through a breakup, a long-distance relationship, and a bunch of casual weird flings in the interim. So it does feel a little strange to dredge my relationship issues up again to talk about in interviews and for press releases, but I also feel this weird universal application of some of the themes I wrote about – a lot of these songs still feel relevant to what’s happening in my life currently.

On our most recent single, “Southwark,” there are some lyrics in there about the way I felt about a boyfriend I was living with at the time, that kind of long-standing love and dedication you have in a long-term relationship even through the complications. Me saying “I am imperfectly yours” – even though our relationship felt like it was nearing its end, and even though ultimately it didn’t work out – it feels like a dedication I’d make to anyone I’m with. Everything happens in cycles I suppose, relationship and love life struggles will always be on-going – and although every man is different, ultimately I am the same person in every relationship (to some degree!)

Kendra: Let’s talk about “Cool for a Second,” or rather actually being cool for a second. Looking back at your younger selves, was there any trend you found yourself falling prey to as a child or a teen just because it was the “cool” thing to do? Be it wearing something, having a certain toy, liking a particular band?

Christie: Oh boy. My family moved to the Sunshine Coast of Australia for two years when I was 11 and 12. Everyone at school was naturally tanned, hair bleached blonde from the sea and the sun, naturally athletic, and loved surfing. I was none of those things. I was a pale, dark-haired kid who loved being indoors and playing ‘Sims.’

But starting high school in Kawana, the pressure to fit in was immense – so I managed to convince my mum that I should bleach my hair blonde. We did a classic at-home job and it looked awful – golden straw yellow. I think I rocked it for a bit before the regrowth set in and dyed it back to my natural brown. At least I got to live out my Mary-Kate and Ashley/Hilary Duff dreams to some degree for a minute there! Now I pay a hairdresser to put a bit of blonde in there the fancy, proper way!

Kendra: ‘Truth or Consequences’ is your third album and with that, you’ll be focusing more on the new material it provides, but are there any songs from your previous two records that should never be jealous of new material coming in and filling new setlists?

Charlie: There are never any songs that are completely safe when you’ve released nearly 50 tracks like we have, but we always try and keep a balanced set of songs from all of our releases. It’s always a consideration as to whether new fans will know our old songs or whether old fans care for our new material, so we try and switch as much as possible to keep both sets of fans happy. We won’t be playing a set full of tracks from the new album on our release tour!

The post Yumi Zouma: Truth, Consequences, & Bleached Hair appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: What moment for you solidified that you had to pursue music as more than a hobby in your room?

Maya Payne: I had a singing teacher who introduced me to a producer visiting New Zealand from the US. I booked a session with him while he was here and that’s where my first single “Fragile” came from. That’s what set it all in motion.

Kendra: A couple of years ago you found yourself charting in New Zealand with your debut and “If Only.” How surreal was that to see your name on a chart like that?

Maya Payne: That was really really cool. It was a huge goal of mine to see myself on that chart. I always used to go to the Top 40 to find new music before Spotify was around, so it was really surreal.

Kendra: Now you’re likely going to do the same with “Jungle.” With its fresh pop sound and catching lyrics, it fits right into the summer but there is one line that really caught my attention, “ride or die.” Do you have a ride or die friend along with you for this ride right now?

Maya Payne: Yeah definitely. I have the most supportive friends and family. My ride or die would be my best friend.

Kendra: I’d hope so because you do a lot of traveling. I saw pictures from LA to Bali. When you travel, what about those different places and cultures really inspire you and keep you going until your next destination!

Maya Payne: Yes I love to travel! I just love meeting new people, and especially writing songs with people from around the world. Everybody has such different backgrounds and ideas it makes writing so interesting. I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve worked with. I also find traveling a great inspiration for song lyrics because I am constantly seeing new things.

Kendra: What’s next for you and your music? More singles? An album.

Maya Payne: I have an albums worth of songs I’m finishing. These days it seems to make more sense to release singles, but an album is on the cards.

The post Welcome to Maya Payne’s “Jungle” appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: You’ve been writing and recording for a handful of years now. Did something switch up in your life in 2013 or had you always been interested in doing music?

Em Joy: Actually yes. I wrote and recorded just playing around in high school. In 2012 the year prior to my album release I had a huge lifestyle overhaul and became a raw vegan. A lot of things changed in my life that year. I got out of a relationship, prioritized myself, followed my intuition and finally had the energy to go after my dreams.

Turns out I didn’t even have to work very hard as a friend I’d had for years. Producer, singer-songwriter, Australian artist Billy Otto, approached me after hearing me play some of my own songs at a BBQ in Newcastle NSW. He was surprised when I told him it was my song. He told me I definitely had to record and he’d help me sort it out. A few months later after a bit of organizing and my first blissful stint in a real studio we had my first EP Say Nice Things.

Kendra: Your sound is downright beautiful. It has this simple elegance to it. Usually, that is due to where artists come up, but you’ve lived all over the world. What do you attribute your style to location wise?

Em Joy: Okay so I know that everything is subjective but I have this image of the graceful poise of the Zimbabwean woman. No matter the skin colour, whenever I’ve met a fellow Zimbabwean woman she’s always had this beautiful persona, really elegant yet there’s always a bit of a spark in her eyes. I really feel like I relate most to that.

I’ve traveled and lived in so many different places but I always bring my fierce yet pure Zimbabwean femininity along with me and see the world through those eyes. I think that comes through very much in my music too. I read this quote in a book recently, “Ignorance is not knowing anything and being attracted to the good. Innocence is knowing everything and still being attracted to the good.”

I think that this may be irrelevant to culture but just another glimpse into my heart. I feel like, despite a lot of the less beautiful things I’ve lived through, I’ve maintained an innocent heart, and that too, I think is what you can feel through my songs.

Kendra: Because you mentioned it, how long did you live in Zimbabwe after you were born? I hope long enough to share at least one tale.

Em Joy: I lived in Zimbabwe until I was 11-years-old. We moved around a lot as my parents were Adventists. My dad wouldn’t work on Saturday so would sometimes have trouble finding work as the whole country seemed baptist. We moved 19 times before I was ten if I remember correctly. The longest time we spent in a place was a couple of years and it was this huge game farm with the African bush on our doorstep. I think I must have been around 8-9-years-old when we were there. The farm had three young elephants and I remember how my two brothers and I got to ride on them as they were being trained. We’d climb up behind their heads and walk around the park for hours.

Elephants have incredibly prickly bristles so remember to wear jeans if you ever get that chance! I also cherish the memory of floating around in horse feeding bins on a small lake that formed in the rainy season. My mum used to be very into horses and bred me my own one when I was a kid. I think I was 9-years-old when I broke him in. Until we left I’d been the only human to ride on him. His name was Kasala and he was half Arab half thoroughbred and the most stunning horse in the world!

When the political unrest happened and white farmers were getting kicked off farms, 20 war veterans with AK47s came into my dad’s office on the farm and gave us 48 hours to leave the farm. That’s when my family moved to New Zealand…It seems like such a faraway dream life. I haven’t been back since and I’m not sure if I will. I have the most beautiful memories and I don’t want to infiltrate them.

Kendra: Your album, The Wanderings, inspired at all by the moves you have had throughout your life?

Em Joy: Yes! 100%. I’ve always been a wanderer. Even through all the many moves of my childhood I always looked forward to the next house and picking my new room out. So I think wandering is inherent to my nature and a very powerful way for me to interact with the world and process life. I think a lot of people can relate to their twenties being a part of their life where they wandering around a fair bit. That’s definitely what mine felt like…I’ve been mulling over ideas and themes for the next album and I think I might call it Planted. I am still traveling like a gypsy but I feel like within myself I am becoming more and more settled in who I am and how I do life.

Kendra: If you had to compare The Wanderings to an item you’d bring to “The Feast” to end all feasts, what would it be and why?

Em Joy: Definitely a fruit salad. Sweet, juicy, sometimes tart, firm, squishy, all of the feels. It would include papaya, mango, pineapple, rockmelon, strawberries, mint leaves, watermelon, and dragon fruit. It would be dressed with lime juice and a good sprinkling of passion fruit! The Wanderings has all the ranges of feelings packed into it and expressed in a sweet, pleasant sort of way. Kinda just like a fruit salad!

Kendra: You’ve said you’re often in awe of nature. What’s been the most awe-inspiring thing you’ve seen and did you ever happen to pen a song about it?

Em Joy: I’m currently writing this to you from my Airbnb in Split, Croatia. I think I may have found my new earthly heaven yesterday. I haven’t written a song about it yet but I just might! It’s the Krka National park one hour north of Split and it is the most divine place.

Wooden boardwalks take you all through this magical hobbit/elf like kingdom of waterfalls and trees and little swampy parts. It is the most magical nature I’ve seen in possibly ever and I would move in there tomorrow if I could and write songs about it till the day I died.

There are some places in nature where I feel alive and I literally feel like magic could be real. I can almost see it. I feel powerful and I feel most me. This is when I’m in the flow, inspired and reminded of the power we can all tap into because mother nature has very clearly demonstrated what’s possible with this incredible power by creating whatever she’s created that’s got me so inspired. Krka National Park is 1000% one of these places. I hope I get to return there someday to soak it all in for a bit longer!

Kendra: What’s to come for you in coming months? Shows?

Em Joy: Well you know, can’t say too much but let’s just say it may involve microphones and gadgets and no crowds. Until someone manages to successfully lure me on the stage I will continue to woe you all from the safety of the studio. And if the stars align I will have seem very special wooing coming sometime in the near future.

The post Wandering with Em Joy appeared first on ZO Magazine.

In March New Zealand’s The Cavemen were taking on Italy promoting their latest release, Born to Hate. We were able to catch up with them right before they hit the road to talk about how much these rockers love Little Richard, their beer sound and much more.

Kendra: A couple of years ago you all packed up and headed to London. How did that open you up musically, being away from home but also being in one of the birthplaces of some of the most badass punk bands ever?

The Cavemen: We’d done our dash in the land down under. We chose London for three reasons: there’s a larger gig-going crowd for our kind of music, it’s better connected for touring and it’s heavily polluted. Britain’s music history certainly shaped us. Tough Brit invasion bands like Them, Pretty Things, early Stones and our great uncles the Troggs certainly warped our minds from a tender young age. Later on, groups like Slade, Gary Glitter, T-Rex and The Damned made that early mutation permanent!

Kendra: One can’t help but notice of all your influences, Little Richard…He sticks out among the rock bands. What about his style do The Cavemen utilize in their own sound? Perhaps it’s his stage presence?

The Cavemen: Little Richard is our greatest idol, to us he’s the pinnacle of human civilization. Style, attitude, energy, charisma and a healthy dose of genuine derangement. He is the original rebel and the most outrageous rocker of them all. He was a flamboyant, black wild man in every white conservative family living room in the 50’s corrupting the world’s youth!!! And talk about stage presence?! He is somewhere between Jesus Christ and Charles Manson with commanding a crowd.

The Cavemens’ favorite place in New Zealand; Waiheke Island Demotion Derby

Kendra: Speaking of stage presence. You guys are heading to Italy in March. What can fans expect when you land down there?

The Cavemen: Italy can expect a shock to the system and some cheap laughs! If it’s a freak show they’re after then they can expect to get their money’s worth.

Kendra: Going back a bit. You dropped Born to Hate back in December 2016, and because you guys happen to be big fans of beer – if you had to compare that record to a specific brew, which would it be and why?

The Cavemen: We like the drink. The free piss is the glue that keeps us together… VB (Victoria Bitter) comes to mind. It’s Australian but was the cheapest and most potent beer we could get our grubby, underage hands on back in NZ. Some say it tastes like ear medicine but we find it a refreshing drop and it’s probably just as much to blame for our warped ways as Little Richard is! Why it’s like us? It’s best enjoyed in a graveyard after dark.

Kendra: Lastly, other than this Italy run, what other plans do you guys have for 2017?

The Cavemen: Got a busy year planned. After Italy, we hit Portugal in April with our buddies The Parkinsons. Stay tuned for more video debauchery, European festival madness and fresh, low-brow records throughout the year. We’ve almost conquered Europe, next stop: the Chernobyl nuclear reactor!

The post The Cavemen On Both Love and Hate appeared first on ZO Magazine.