Tagged By the zebras

PREMIERE: The Zebras – ‘Try’

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It’s been six years since we last heard from the Zebras, who brought their shimmering pop to Melbourne via the sunshine state in 2007. Well, the twee-lovin’ kids out there can finally quit biting their nails because the band is back, with their third full-length release, Siesta, due out in June.

We got a taste of the album late last year with the punchy ‘Chase’, which featured on Lost and Lonesome‘s 15th birthday sampler alongside gems from the Icypoles, Milk Teddy and more. Today the Zebras are following up with lead single ‘Try’, a pop song written in classic style that again shows off the band’s effortless feel for melody – and what appears to be something of a fetish for analog synths.

‘Try’ is a bubbling track that showcases the tight interplay between musicians who’ve been working together for almost a decade. The gorgeous production and mixing were done by band leader Jeremy Cole and Architecture in Helsinki‘s Gus Franklin. 

‘Try’ is available now on Soundcloud as a free download.

The lush Siesta – which is, in part, a tribute to the band members’ childhood home of Cairns – will be out on 27 June through Lost and Lonesome (Aus) and Jigsaw (USA). The Zebras are gearing up to play some dates in the US at the end of the month along with label mates Bart & Friends and Monnone Alone. Keep your eyes peeled for launch dates upon their return.

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LISTEN: The Zebras – ‘Chase’

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The Zebras

If all was right with the world, The Zebras would be a veritable Aussie institution. Instead, Tony Abbott is in the Lodge, the weather is fucking bananas and it’s near impossible to find any information on this band at all. These guys have been around since almost the turn of the century and were regulars on Brisbane’s live circuit before moving to Melbourne in 2007. Their second album, Worry A Lot, was praised by Rolling Stone and the Australian, and over the years they’ve supported bands like The Shins, The Mountain Goats and Lambchop.

The Zebras’ relative obscurity may be to do with the fact they’re named after everyone’s favourite stripey equid. Lord knows the people love their online safari ephemera, so a Google search leads to a lot of videos of hunting scenes. Plus, so far as I’m aware,  they haven’t released anything since the 2008 EP New Ways of Risking Our Lives. Whatever the reason, it’s a crying shame, because The Zebras’ Sarah Records-channelling power pop is damn near perfect.

The band is signed to Lost and Lonesome, the twee-revivalist imprint run by Mark Monnone of The Lucksmiths. With boy-girl harmonies and organ-like synth tones, The Zebra’s ‘Chase’ recalls the bittersweet gems of Rocketship. There are also intimations of fellow analogue obsessives Broadcast and Stereolab, especially in the timbre of Edwina Ewin’s lead vocal. ‘Chase’ features on Lost and Lonesome’s 15th birthday sampler. With charming contributions from The Icypoles, The Sublets, Captain Coach and more, it’s well worth a listen.

 

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