Zun Zun Egui formed in Bristol in late 2008 – Mauritian guitarist and singer Kushal Gaya met and started making music with Japanese keyboard player Yoshino Shigihara after they had both moved to the UK. Initially they started playing with a large number of musicians but a core ZZE group formed round the pair along with bassist Luke Mosse and drummer Matt Jones. Yoshino came up with their name after seeing the term Zun Zun Egui on a trip to the Basque Country and realising that it sounded exactly like the Japanese words for “Fast Fast Weird”. (They would later find out it was Basque for a group of trees.) A love for experimentation, free jazz, fusion, DIY culture, throwing parties and playing wild shows was the glue that bonded the outfit together. After an early clutch of raw and experimental EPs, they focussed their song-writing gift and mastery of many styles to create a recognisable Zun Zun Egui sound which included (amongst many other things) tropicalia, punk funk, Afrobeat, Ethio jazz and no wave. All of these varied disciplines were marshalled to produce their debut //Katang// on Bella Union – an album that by rights should have been comparable to a madman’s breakfast but was in fact one of the most exciting debut LPs of 2011. Following the release they took on a new bass player Adam Newton and then about a year and a half ago they recruited a second guitarist Stephen Kerrison and started working on new material. Even for a band as exploratory and talented as ZZE though, the step up in terms of songwriting and inspiration since //Katang// is astounding and it is already clear that new LP //Shackles’ Gift// is one of the most unique and thrilling that will be released in 2015
Support Act – Otti And The Voices
Singer and writer Otti Albietz’ music gives purpose back to listening. He explores neglected and forgotten emotions, reminding the listener of the importance they can hold. Crafting a path through a turbulent life, he creates a fruitful relationship between this present, an historical past, and an intriguing future.
“Otti’s music triggers a sense of loneliness, belonging and hopefulness within the time frame of a breath using the simplest of tools: an earnest voice, cinematic lyrics and an open heart.”
Penny Black Music – UK