Interview w/ Gold Zebra

Montreal's Gold Zebra were one of the first ever groups I picked out for a new band feature. I still adore them. The French-speaking ice-electro duo (Julie on vox, JP Richards on synths/guitar) and I conversed via e-mail about various topics. Here's what they had to say for themselves. 

GZ, how is life treating you?

Life is good right now. The summer has finally started in Montreal. We played a lot of local shows during the winter and spring time. Now we are taking some time to record new songs and enjoy the nice, warm weather.

For those uninformed readers of Mane Shakin' Folk, how would you describe your music?

We are purveyors of late-night heartbreaking disco noir music.

How did you meet?

We meet 2½ years ago at a NYE party where JP was DJing. We had a couple of drinks and talked about our musical tastes. Not long afterwards, we decided to start playing music together.

Have you always been into performing and making music? 

JP has played music since High School. He's been in various bands predominantly playing guitar. He's also a DJ. A few years ago, after shoulder surgery that kept him from playing guitar for a while, he started to buy and play old analog synths. He also started making music with these at this time. I have always been into music but never really seriously. JP convinced me to sing and so, GOLD ZEBRA was born.

What inspired the release of your debut EP (download for only $3 here) last year?

It was more about exploring and experimenting. When we started the project JP had a good idea of the sound he wanted for GZ, but we had to try different things to achieve it. Through that process, we found an sound completely different to the initial idea but which suited us better. The result was the 5 songs on Debut EP.

My personal highlight is 'Back In The Dust' (above). But what was the instrumentation and production like behind the whole EP?

We made the EP with a very DIY mindset. We wanted to do everything ourselves, from recording to artwork to distributing. It was recorded at home between two moves using analog synthesizers, drum machines, guitars, mics and a computer. Our friends TONY COPS helped us with the mixing and mastering of the songs. Soundwise, the recording is far from perfect, but the essence of our songs is there. I think you have to see the live show to catch the whole experience and get the emotion we wanted to induce.

I'd be interested to find out where exactly GZ's influences lie. Any surprises?

We've been into many different styles of music over the years. From Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Kraftwerk and Human League to Company Flow, Non Phixion and Sole, but we now listen to 1970s french pop, new wave, minimal synth, italo-disco and stuff like that. I don't think there are any surprises. We've been influenced by a lot of different styles which have coloured our music in many ways, but we haven't copied a particular style.

How do you find 'the live show'? Is it more enjoyable or burdening?

We love to play live! Before a show, it's always very stressful, but as soon as we hit the stage, we are comfortable and we give all our energy to playing our songs with emotion. The aftershow when people come  to give us comments and feedback is always good. It pumps us for the next show and helps us improve. 

Can you tell us what's in store for GZ in the remainder of 2011?

We are currently working and recording new material. Debut EP is about to be reissued on CD with  new artwork. We will also have a new songs on the VISAGE MUSIQUE compilation that will be out this fall. Also, a 2-track 7" is in the making and a small fall tour will probably follow.

Finally, are there any particular records/artists/labels/etc you especially love at the moment?

You have to check out our new label VISAGE MUSIQUE which features Montreal's finest minimal and Italo acts. Minimal Wave have released a lot of good reissues that we've listened to a lot lately. The Anika album produced by Geoff Barrow and the Blondes EP are also in rotation.

Gold Zebra's new single 'Love, French, Better' was released as a free download earlier today. You can grab it below right now. It's part of a new compilation released by VISAGE MUSIQUE.