TZU

TZU were formed as an Australian hip hop band in 1999 in Melbourne, initially as a side project, by Joel Ma p.k.a. Joelistics on vocals, guitar and bass guitar; Corey McGregor p.k.a. Yeroc on drums and samplers; Phillip Norman p.k.a. Seed MC or Countbounce on vocals, guitar and bass guitar (ex-Pan); Shehab Tariq p.k.a. Paso Bionic (ex-Curse ov Dialect).[2] Pan were a "drum-and-bass/funk/reggae mash-up" band, while Curse ov Dialect were an "oddball experimental hip hop group with a penchant for throwing meat at the audience."[2]

According to Joelistics, the group's name is taken from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu,[3] which was suggested by Lee Hartney of the Smith Street Band. Styled as TZU and originally pronounced "Tzu" its pronunciation was changed to "Tee Zed You" to add an "element of mystery."[3] Their debut seven-track extended play (EP), um... just a liddlbidova mic check (2001), was recorded in a portable studio, "in the back of a truck," parked near Hobart.[2][4][5] Local Noise's Tony Mitchell described it as "tentative."[5] After the EP's appearance they were signed to Liberation Music.[2]

TZU's debut album, Position Correction, appeared on 19 February 2004 and was co-produced by Seed and Yeroc,[5] which peaked just outside the ARIA Charts top 100 in March.[6] Greg Lawrence of WHAMMO described how the quartet, "[are] a bunch of true technicians who successfully transmit their love for beats and lyrics. The double-pronged vocal attack is more exact than the scalpel of a master surgeon, the subterranean bass growls and snappy beats are premium."[7] Mitchell felt, "[it] covers a wide range of moods, styles and tempos, and represents another new direction in Australian hip-hop coming from an idiosyncratic Melbourne push which is making an important impact on local indigenisations of the genre."[5]

In 2005 keyboard player, Duzy What[8] was added to the group's line-up. TZU issued their second studio album, Smiling at Strangers, which was produced by Magoo (Regurgitator, Butterfingers).[9] It reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 100 in late September.[6] Mitchell noticed, "[they] can successfully combine rock and hip hop... through a desire to experiment with and stretch the often restrictive parameters of MCing and Djing."[9] Simon Jones of Soulshine compared it to their debut album, "[they] have taken a more instrument-based approach in the studio, leaving behind the beats and samples of their debut Position Correction and replacing them with guitars, piano, drums and the occasional horn line."[10] In February 2006 the album was short-listed for the inaugural Australian Music Prize for releases in 2005.[11][12]

In February-March 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music public-voted poll.[13][14] In November of that year they re-released Smiling at Strangers as a limited edition 2×CD, Snarling at Strangers, with the addition of a second five-track disc, Snarl, and three music videos.[15][16] The additional, previously unreleased tracks were described by Tristan of There Is no Roseability as, "a harsh critique of current politics/society. It's not as militaristic or angry as The Herd's material, but it's harsh nonetheless. It still has the genius wit and timelessness of Australian hip-hop."[17]

In 2008, the band released their third studio album, Computer Love. Rolling Stone Australia said "Melbourne group TZU just can't stop upping the ante ... They meld classic eighties electro with the more traditional funk keeping the emphasis on authenticity and class throughout." Inpress said "Computer Love is full of old school synth's, masterful sampling and live instrumentation - a maverick in its field and release that will set a new standard for the Australian music landscape."

Richard Kingsmill, Musical Director of Australian radio station Triple J, stated in regard to the band's 2008 J Award nomination for Computer Love, "They open their album saying "TZU still feelin' awesome". I couldn't agree more. They keep growing as an act and expanding on their influences. This album has so much life and they're doing all this themselves. No mentors, producers or anyone getting in the way. Pure talent."[18]

In 2012, after a period of inactivity for the band, TZU released their fourth and final album Millions of Moments.[19] To promote the album, they went on tour. Subsequently, Joelistics pursued a solo career and Count Bounce became a producer.[20]

Credits:[8]

• Joel Ma p.k.a. Joelistics – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
• Corey McGregor p.k.a. Yeroc – drums, samplers
• Phillip Norman p.k.a. Seed MC or Countbounce – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
• Shehab Tariq p.k.a. Paso Bionic – turntables
• Dustin p.k.a. Duzy What – keyboards