As well as chewing the fat about our latest single ‘The Empire’, we were asked to bring in our Acoustic guitars and prepare a cover of a recent Australian artist as part of their Homegrown Homage segment. So we thought we’d have a crack at a song called ‘Chandelier’, by the amazingly talented Sia.

While we didn’t bring any interpretive dance or spandex with us, we did enjoy the challenge of delivering this song in our own style, whilst trying to stay true to the original version’s emotive tone and powerful lyrics. Having figured the parts out individually the night before… we had our one and only run through together, before recording the following take live.

BIG thanks to Blacko for recording us, to Jez for putting the video together and to Ben and Ella for having us on the show. It’s always a good laugh!

View the original version of Sia’s Chandelier on YouTube ⇨

If Melbourne’s alternative rock band ZOOPHYTE sound familiar, it’s probably because they’ve been writing music and playing gigs since 2004. Always evolving, the band’s indelible song-writing, unmistakable raw vocals and interesting guitar interplay, have helped them build a reputation as an explosive live act, sharing the stage with the likes of Eskimo Joe, Grinspoon, You Am I, and INXS along the way. The four piece’s breakthrough came in 2012, with the release of their album ‘SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE’, from which the 3 singles ‘LET YOU GO’, ‘EARLY MOURNING’ and ‘FREE THE LIGHT’ where released.

Purchase “The Empire” from the iTunes store now →

Feverishly determined to never make the same record twice, the band bunkered down in the studio for 6 months only recently resurfacing with a brand new record. Elaborating on the large sounds of their previous release the results are something different, yet still ZOOPHYTE with their sense of raw energy and dark romantic sensibility remaining at the forefront.

Engineered and produced with Cam Trewin (Kingswood, Saskwatch) and mastered by Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, Beck), you can expect a bolder, edgier, bigger sound from the ZOOPHYTE boys… including their first single ‘THE EMPIRE’, released digitally today (Monday May 12th).

Purchase “The Empire” from the iTunes store now →

Download this Press Release in PDF Format

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Melbourne alternative rock band ZOOPHYTE is a band that needs no introduction! With raw vocals, indelible song-writing, world-class guitar playing and a rapidly increasing reputation as one of the country’s best live acts, ZOOPYHTE return in 2014 with a brand new single, ‘THE EMPIRE’ due for release on Monday May 12.

The four piece’s breakthrough came in 2012 and saw ZOOPHYTE create a new and exciting chapter the bands history with the release of their album ‘SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE’. The band released 3 singles from the album, ‘LET YOU GO’, ‘EARLY MOURNING’ and ‘FREE THE LIGHT’, all gaining rotation nationally across the Austereo network and receiving regional support around the country. It was a busy 12 months of touring for ZOOPHYTE with the band sharing the stage with the likes of Eskimo Joe, Grinspoon and You Am I, plus opening for INXS right across the East Coast on what would be their final tour.

Feverishly determined to never make the same record twice, and with the departure of longstanding band member Andrew Gilpin on bass, the band bought in Owen Downie and bunkered down in the studio for 6 months only recently resurfacing with a brand new record. Elaborating on the large sounds of their previous release the results are something different, yet still ZOOPHYTE with their sense of raw energy and dark romantic sensibility remaining at the forefront. Engineered and produced with Cam Trewin (Kingswood, Saskwatch) and mastered by Brian Lucey (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, Beck), you can expect a bolder, edgier, bigger sound from the ZOOPHYTE boys… including their first single ‘THE EMPIRE’, due for release on the 12th May.

Tickets Are Now On Sale

Tickets for ZOOPHYTE’s Single Launch at THE ESPY (GERSHWIN ROOM) on FRIDAY MAY 30 are now on sale through the The Espy Box Office: http://theespy.oztix.com.au/Default.aspx?Event=43691

Download this Press Release in PDF Format

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http://www.twitter.com/zoophyteband
http://www.youtube.com/zoophyteband

Friday May 30 in the Gershwin Room at The Espy in St Kilda, will be the launch of the Album first single ‘The Empire’, with special guests Smoke Stack Rhino and Grandmaster Monk.

Doors open at 8:30pm and tickets can be purchased through The Espy Online Box Office for $15 plus booking fee… or at the door at $20, if still available on the night.

The songs lyrics are loosely based around the Russian Revolution and the overall tone is one of an uprising, a sense of making a change and banding together to make a difference. We wanted the video to reflect the strong military like vibe of the song, and we’ve been lucky enough to team up with CG Animator / Director Jesse Broadhurst to bring it all to life.

The video contains explosions, a battle scene, skin pealing, shape shifting and other special effects… all with the back drop of in 1920′s Russia. You could say that it will be our own little feature film. There were plenty of highlights across the weekend, but special mention must go to the leeches in Mt Macedon forest, which attacked Cam’s face and found their way into Jesse pants, surprising him 2 hours later when he arrived home back in Melbourne. They had been sucking on his ass the whole time!

HUGE THANKS to everyone involved… Miles Bence (Camera work), Hayden Guppy (Producer), Mia’Kate Russell (Special Effects Makeup), Luke Fenech (Blaso Pyrotechnics), James Munro (Photography), all the extras, support crew and stylists… and of course Jesse, who’s vision and creativity has brought all of this together.

Can’t wait to see the finished product. Stay Tuned!

Located on the main stage in Legends Lane, behind the Fangio Stand… ZOOPHYTE will be kicking off the day with 2 sets of music start from 10:30am playing through until 1:15pm. This will be closely followed by all time Aussie legends You Am I, the Hoodoo Gurus and then the race itself.

If you’re a regular to live music around Melbourne, you’d have no doubt seen Owen around the traps. Playing in numerous bands across all genres for the past several years, Owen is now back playing the fat rock sounds that he grew up on… and we can’t be happier.

When he’s not playing music or finishing off his law degree… you can find him playing C grade Bocce at his beloved Brunswick East Bocce Club, or replicating the Eureka Stockade Rebellion with his pet hermit crabs.

Welcome on board Owen… Looking forward to bringing the noise with ya!

The ‘Hairy One’ joined ZOOPHYTE back in 2007 (with much less hair) and was thrown straight into the back of a tour bus, as we journeyed up and down the East and West Cost of Australia. He immediately made an impact… not only through his style of playing, but his humour, his artwork / cartooning and general tomfoolery!

Gilps was an integral part of the bands reformation in 2009 and has helped shape the sound and dynamic that is ZOOPHYTE as you hear it today. He’ll be dearly missed in the studio. He’ll be dearly missed on stage. And he’ll be dearly missed on the road!

Thanks for the laughs, the memories and the music mate. We wish you all the best for the future and every success with your new band Palace of the King (Be sure to check them out peeps). Love ya mate. X

Melbourne’s schizophrenic weather did it’s best to confuse… throwing rain, cold winds, sunshine and then more rain on punters, but that didn’t stop people having a good time. Especially the sea of Fremantle supporters who brought a Purple Haze to the city square.

Big thanks to super star Bess and all those who ran the event, as well as the other bands and footy players involved in the day. We had a cracking time!

Photography: Andrew Ingram

SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE REDUX is a collection of B-Side songs that for one reason or another, didn’t make the cut for the studio Album. Having laboured over recording them, and fought over whether they should be included on SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE or not, we decided it was only fair to release them as a B-Side EP. Enjoy!!!

Purchase SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE REDUX from the iTunes store →

SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE REDUX

Release Date: Monday 2 September 2013
Check out Zoophyte at the iTunes store →

1. Shambles
2. Dreaming Of Yesterdays
3. Eyes Awake