Yumi Zouma

Yumi Zouma are a New Zealand alternative pop band from Christchurch, Canterbury. The band consists of Christie Simpson (vocals, keyboards), Josh Burgess (guitar, bass guitar, vocals, keyboards), Charlie Ryder (guitar, bass guitar, keyboards), and Olivia Campion (drums). The band's name is an amalgamation of the two friends that encouraged the group to start writing together.[1]

Yumi Zouma
Background information
OriginChristchurch, Canterbury
GenresAlternative pop, dream pop, electronic, indie pop
Years active2014–present
LabelsPolyvinyl Record Co.
Inertia Music
Cascine
Rallye Label
WebsiteYumiZouma.com
MembersChristie Simpson
Olivia Campion
Charlie Ryder
Josh Burgess
Past membersSam Perry
Kim Pflaum

The group's origins trace back to their history of playing concerts together in Christchurch.[2][3] However, the band did not begin writing music together until multiple members moved abroad and began collaborating over email following the events of the Christchurch earthquake.[4] This early material gained attention within the musical blogosphere and encouraged American label Cascine to sign the band before they had played live or held a band practice.[1][5]

Between 2014 and 2015, the group released two extended plays (EP I, EP II). The band's debut album Yoncalla was released in 2016, including the singles "Keep It Close To Me" and "Barricade (Matter Of Fact)". In 2017, the band released their second album, Willowbank, and the singles "December", "Depths (Pt. I)", and "Half Hour". EP III was released in 2018, including the singles "In Camera" and "Crush (It's Late Just Stay)". In 2020, the band signed to labels Polyvinyl Record Co. and Inertia Music, and released their third album Truth or Consequences, which featured the singles "Right Track / Wrong Man", "Cool For A Second", "Southwark", "Lonely After", and "Sage".

Career

Early career: EP I and EP II (2014–2015)

Founded by Burgess, Ryder, and vocalist Kim Pflaum, the group began writing music using file sharing services[6] when Burgess left New Zealand to work at New York-based record label Captured Tracks.[5][7][8] The band's first release, EP I, debuted in early 2014, after the single A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers appeared on several blogs before being quickly taken down.[8][9] The band were positively reviewed by Pitchfork [10] and profiled by The Guardian,[11] leading to the group signing with Brooklyn-based record label Cascine.[12] In mid-2014, the band began playing live, touring with singer Lorde,[13][14] and collaborating with other acts, such as Swedish band Air France.[15] Guitarist Sam Perry[16] and vocalist Christie Simpson joined the group in 2015,[14][17][18] while Pflaum left and started the solo project Madeira[19][20] (later renamed Laumė).[21] The band released a second EP, EP II, in early 2015,[22] and proceeded to tour extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, with the likes of Jamie xx and Lower Dens.[23]

Yoncalla (2016)

The band quickly released their first full-length album, Yoncalla, the following year. As opposed to the long-distance writing of the band's earlier releases, Yoncalla consisted of material that had been finished during tours for EP II. The majority of the album's final material was recorded in Paris, France,[24] following an American tour which stopped by the city of Yoncalla, Oregon.[17][25] The band produced the album at electronic musician Philippe Zdar's Motorbass studio in Paris, enabling them to achieve a sound more akin to classic synth-pop than their previous records.[26][27]

Willowbank (2017)

After a year of heavy touring in support of Yoncalla, the band travelled home to record in New Zealand for the first time.[28][29] A limited edition cover of the Oasis album (What's The Story) Morning Glory? was distributed on vinyl in early 2017,[30] before the release of the band's second album, Willowbank, in October.[31] The sessions for Willowbank marked the first time that the group had worked together in a professional studio, with the band initially questioning whether they should "all move into separate rooms" to recreate the remote song writing process from previous records.[8] However, the sessions allowed for stronger collaboration and more organic instrumentation compared to earlier material, leading to jazz musician Olivia Campion joining the band as a live drummer.[32] Lead single Depths (Pt. I) became a success on streaming platforms,[33] and was accompanied by a video created by illustrator Frances Haszard.[34] Following the completion of touring for Willowbank, Perry left the band in order to concentrate on his Serbia-based musical project DOG Power.[35][36]

EP III (2018)

In wake of the departure of Perry, the remaining four members of the band proceeded to return to the methods of long-distance writing that had inspired their earlier material. This process led to the creation of a third EP, released in October 2018.[37] A video for lead single In Camera was released in early 2019, directed by Pavel Brenner.[38] A video for second single Crush (It's Late, Just Stay) was also released in 2019, directed by Robbie Barnett. [39]

Truth or Consequences (2020)

After signing to Polyvinyl and Inertia Records, Yumi Zouma released their third studio album Truth or Consequences on March 13th of 2020. The album features the singles "Right Track / Wrong Man", "Cool For A Second", "Southwark", "Lonely After", and "Sage".Truth or Consequences, by Yumi Zouma [40] Along with the album, Yumi Zouma is set to release a unique line of merchandise which includes a candle, bandana, and enamel pin.[41] The band announced a reimagined edition of the album named Truth or Consequences - Alternate Versions, which will be released in October 2020. [42]

Band members

Current
  • Christie Simpson – lead vocals, samplers, keyboards (2015–present)
  • Josh Burgess - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, samplers (2014–present)
  • Charlie Ryder - guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, samplers (2014–present)
  • Olivia Campion - drums (2017–present)

Previous
  • Sam Perry - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, samplers (2015–2018)
  • Kim Pflaum – vocals, guitar, samplers (2014-2015)

Musical equipment

Live concert equipment

Studio recording equipment

For studio recordings, the band use their live equipment, a Sequential Prophet 600 synthesizer, and an Apogee Electronics Duet recording interface.[6]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Yoncalla (2016)
  • (What's The Story) Morning Glory? (2017)
  • Willowbank (2017)
  • Truth or Consequences (2020)
  • Truth or Consequences - Alternate Versions (2020)

EPs
  • EP (2014)
  • EP II (2015)
  • EP III (2018)

Singles
  • "A Long Walk Home for Parted Lovers" (2013)
  • "The Brae" (2014)
  • "It Feels Good to Be Around You" (featuring Air France) (2014)
  • "Alena" (2014)
  • "Catastrophe" (2015)
  • "Song for Zoe & Gwen" (2015)
  • "Right, Off the Bridge" (2015)
  • "Keep It Close to Me" (2016)
  • "Barricade (Matter of Fact)" (2016)
  • "Short Truth" (2016)
  • "December" (2017)
  • "Depths (Pt. I)" (2017)
  • "Persephone" (2017)
  • "Half Hour" (2017)
  • "France (Grands Boulevards)" (2018)
  • "In Camera" (2018)
  • "Crush (It's Late, Just Stay)" (2018)
  • "Bruise (2019)
  • "Right Track / Wrong Man" (2019)
  • "Cool for a Second" (2020)
  • "Lonely After" (2020)
  • "Southwark" (2020)
  • "Sage" (2020)

Compilations
  • EP I & II (2015)

Collaborations
  • It Feels Good To Be Around You (Feat. Air France) – Air France (2014)
  • Flirt (Feat. Yumi Zouma & Madiera) – Boycrush (2015)
  • 100% (Feat. Yumi Zouma) – Boycrush (2018)

Remixes

DJ Mixes
  • Faded Arrow MIX004 (2015)[44]
  • Dissipating Summer (2017)[45]

References
  1. "Interview + New Music: Yumi Zouma". mynorthwest.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  2. "dream a little dream with yumi zouma". i-D. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  3. "UBIQUITY (0) - Beginnings by UBIQUITY Magazine". Issuu. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  4. "NPR Choice page". npr.org. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  5. "Yumi Zouma's overnight success". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  6. Lamoreaux, Jason T. (8 March 2017). "An Interview with Yumi Zouma". Somewherecold. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  7. "Captured Tracks & Flying Nun". YouTube. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  8. "Yumi Zouma: living the dream". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  9. "Yumi Zouma A Long Walk Home for Parted Lovers". wearegoingsolo.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  10. ""The Brae" by Yumi Zouma Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  11. "Yumi Zouma (No 1,717) | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  12. "r/indieheads - Hello, this is Yumi Zouma. Ask us anything!". reddit. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  13. "Yumi Zouma to support Lorde on New Zealand homecoming tour | News". DIY. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. "Yumi Zouma // Interview". London in Stereo. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  15. "Yumi Zouma Cover Air France, With Air France's Help". SPIN. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  16. "Stream The New Album 'Electric Hell' From Sam Perry Of Zen Mantra - Music News at Undertheradar". undertheradar.co.nz. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  17. "In Conversation with Yumi Zouma - Hiskind Magazine". hiskind.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  18. Veronica McLaughlin. "Yumi Zouma – YoncallaThe 13th Floor". The 13th Floor. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  19. "Madeira: In Good Humour?". NZ Musician. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  20. "New Zealand's Kim Pflaum Debuts As MADEIRA, Purging Bad Humors". indiebandguru.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  21. "Laumė bandcamp page". Laumė. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  22. "Yumi Zouma – EP II | Album Reviews". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  23. "This Website Uses Cookies". austin.brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  24. "Yumi Zouma interview". brightestyoungthings.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  25. "Yumi Zouma on Their Debut Album Title "Yoncalla"". YouTube. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  26. "Yumi Zouma: Yoncalla Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  27. "Online to Real Time: Yumi Zouma Are Closing the Distance but Maintaining the Mystery". Noisey. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  28. "Willowbank by Yumi Zouma | Album Review". thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  29. "Yumi Zouma: A Period Of Transition (Interview)The 13th Floor". The 13th Floor. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  30. "Yumi Zouma Covers Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory?". turntablekitchen.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  31. "Yumi Zouma - Willowbank | Reviews". DIY. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  32. "Double-Croche — [Interview #189] Nos préférés Yumi Zouma sont de..." double-croche.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  33. "By the numbers: The New Zealand music with the most Spotify streams". The Spinoff. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  34. "Yumi Zouma - Depths (Pt. I) - Official Video". YouTube. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  35. "DOG Power | DOG Power". Tinnitist. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  36. "Yumi Zouma on Instagram: "🎂 Happy 2️⃣8️⃣th birthday Charlie & Josh 🎈". instagram.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  37. "Yumi Zouma's 'EP III': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  38. "Watch Yumi Zouma's splashy video for "In Camera"". The FADER. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  39. "Yumi Zouma Share Video for Crush (It's Late, Just Stay)"". Under The Radar. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  40. "Truth or Consequences, by Yumi Zouma". Yumi Zouma. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  41. "Polyvinyl Records". Polyvinylrecords.com. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  42. "Yumi Zouma announce Truth or Consequences - Alternate Versions". VentsMagazine. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  43. "Claire George - Where Do You Go? (Yumi Zouma Remix)". YouTube. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  44. "Artist Mix: Yumi Zouma". Soundcloud.com.
  45. "Yumi Zouma - Dissipating Summer". Soundcloud.com.
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