Creatively adventurous Auckland rock band The Zoup have just released their highly anticipated debut album Symbiotic, a sonic journey representing five years of musical exploration and experimentation which truly represents the collective essence of the band. Alternative rock fans can get the album on CD from Bandcamp, or download the record via iTunes or any other popular online music store.

Symbiotic is characterised by tight, off kilter rhythms (which aren’t so familiar to such an accessible sound) and intricate, playful lead lines that dance around the powerful yet honest vocal delivery of lead singer Jaydn de Graaf.

With the frantic, weaving energy of Symbiotic, The Zoup display a convincing evolution in their sound, improving and building upon their previous releases in spades. Utilising the skill set of producer/engineer Dave Johnston (Villainy, Armed In Advance) to craft the project, The Zoup have emerged from their studio journey with a powerful work of art that has vibe and energy bursting from the seams.

- Purchase Symbiotic on CD -

- or through iTunes -

Symbiotic is also available for download and streaming on all major online music services. 

Dave answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

How did you become involved in music? 

We all grew up as music lovers, having been raised in extended families full of musicians, music enthusiasts and other creatives. Jamming with friends from a young age was a favourite hobby, and when The Zoup began playing together, there was a clear connection from the start. What we came up with together was something special that none of us could do on our own, so we kept at it!

If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

One Direction, because it would be really strange and we might get in a fight on stage, creating headlines around the world and rocketing our band to instant success.

Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

The Cuts and the Crime, a track from the new record which had some radio play on Hauraki recently, is definitely up there. It's cohesive with some great lyrics and interesting rhythms and instrumental movements, has a lot of its own character, and somehow still manages to feel familiar and catchy.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?

Alternative rock which is a bit off kilter and adventurous, with a goal to always keep good songwriting at heart, avoiding too much self indulgence! 

What can we expect to see from you in the next year?

We've been planning the release of the record for a long time now so having that out is a big buzz. We'll be looking towards some smaller concept projects in the next few years to try something new. 

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

Rival State have a new record coming out and the first single Impulses is an absolute banger. If that's anything to go off, the record is going to be massive.

What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?

Western Springs has so much history and we've all seen some legendary gigs there. The last Big Day Out in 2013 which was held there was a pearler of a day.

Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?

For the big gigs, make sure you're close to a toilet for the five trips you'll have in the hour before going on stage.

How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?

Very badly. Asking creatives for advice about life balance is a bad decision.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Music is one of the truest forms of self expression. The fear of becoming boring people continues to drive our desire to create.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Keep going. Most of your early stuff will likely be crap and it can take a while to figure out how to write decent lyrics and compositions. Keep learning, keep listening to different genres of music and you'll eventually start making music that more people than just you and your mum enjoy.

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