ZIko Album Release Tour

Press Release:
There are many places bands choose as a starting point when it comes to approaching their debut release. There’s the tried and tested way of associating closely with other current bands until a ‘scene’ exists, and then be first to issue that scene’s soundtrack. Then there’s the quicker method of adopting an existing style and rushing it out before the flavour of the month goes stale; or the ‘sneaky trick’ approach of recording songs resembling the work of a band from 25 years before, just in time for a public revival of interest. Of course, some bands are too immersed in creating music to have time for any pre-meditated plotting about where they might fit in – and it is acts like these taking a leap into the unknown, and whose debut albums really push things forward.

ZIKO are an Auckland quartet with musical backgrounds in funk, soul, downbeat electronica and alt-rock. Featuring the rhythmic groove of bassist Richie “Mr President” Setford (One Million Dollars)and drummer Kris Baudry are the modern funk’n’soul bedrock underpinning the dual (and dueling) melodic directions of “Dr.” Nick Boyle’s keyboard swirls and the textured guitar work and artfully-charged vocals of Simon Turner. But that’s not the whole picture at all.

Their debut album Ghostships is the sound of a convergence resulting in something new and unfamiliar. Avoiding indulgent jamming and repetitive motifs, Ziko produce music which is neither over-familiar nor overly-arty: accessible and rather thrilling. While Ziko is a band who undertake the same stuff as many others – that is, write, record, and play live – it is a rare group indeed who arrive with an album that feels simultaneously like both a starting point and a destination. Ghostships manages to demonstrate that wherever you might have come from, fresh ideas and approaches can take you somewhere unexpected.

The release of their debut album ‘Ghostships is celebrated with a nationwide tour:

Auckland – 24th October – Whammy Bar with the Artisan Guns and Trees Climbing Trees
Christchurch – 31st October Als’ Bar with the LEDs and the Undercurrents
Wellington – 7th November – Mighty Mighty with Ghostplane
Auckland – 13th November- Dogs Bollix – with guests

Tickets on sale now for Auckland and Christchurch:

• Whammy Bar, Auckland - Fri, 24 October 08
• Al's Bar, Christchurch - Fri, 31 October 08