In this interview feature, we chat with Zurich ’81 about influences, their new project, being an indie musician in the digital era and more.
Q&A, links and a stream of their single Do Not Disturb can be found below.
If you’re looking for photos, the band prefers their privacy so just vibe out to the tune and enjoy the mystery as being sexy…or something.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
The attraction to music of any kind is easy to detect and difficult to explain. For me, it’s a chemical brain reaction, producing joy or sadness or confusion or – usually – some uncategorisable feeling. Does the music grab my imagination, pull me in and put pictures in my head?
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I don’t know that it’s a journey so much as an immersion. I can’t remember not being preoccupied with music. Why make the songs available to others instead of putting them in a vault? In the hope that someone somewhere in the world just might get something from it, just like I get something from other people’s music. I guess I want to put pictures in people’s heads. However, I would still make music even if it went unreleased. Creating something out of nothing – it’s just a basic human need, isn’t it?
Who or what influences your creativity?
Movies, books and music more so than the so-called real life. But even though the influences are mostly fictional, you don’t have to be a psychologist to figure out that the themes you keep returning to have quite a lot to do with yourself and your relationship with the world. Which would indicate I have some issues.
Have your tastes in music changed over time?
Certainly. If you were to browse my record collection – which you’re welcome to as long as you don’t mess up the alphabetisation – you would see how. However, whatever detours I take, I keep coming back to post-punk and synth pop. I got infected at an impressionable age and have never quite recovered.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
At the risk of sounding pompous: Zürich ’81’s debut Bandcamp release “Travels of Anton Vec” is a bit of a concept EP. All the songs are more or less about the titular character, a small-time intelligence operator who trades tiny secrets and dreams of finding big ones. He’s spent pretty much his adult life traveling the world and doing business with shady people. Not being as clever as he thinks he is, Anton has got into trouble with the big boys in the espionage game.
“Do Not Disturb”, the song Unearth has picked from the EP, finds him on the run and hiding in an undisclosed location. (Well, we do know it’s a small town somewhere near a borderline.) Anyway, Anton has had to assume a different identity and alter his appearance. The poor fellow is wondering whether this is the end destination for him. Could he settle down and become a citizen? Said prospect does not appeal to him.
What was the last song you listened to?
Not sure if this counts, but I’ve had an earworm all day: Marlene On The Wall by Suzanne Vega. Don’t know why. I’m not a huge fan or anything.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I’m a vinyl guy, mostly for generational reasons. It’s just something I grew up with. Also, records with their sleeves are beautiful, evocative objects. You just can’t get as emotional about an MP3 no matter how handy they are. Having said that, I’m not too precious about formats.
Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I’ve got Tidal for streaming – for decent sound quality. We’ve released our own songs through Bandcamp because it’s a convenient, low-threshold way to get your music out there.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
You said it: the overwhelming abundance of music. Luckily good people such as Unearth and yourself can help people find us.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Bandcamp. I think we’ll only go on Facebook or other social media outlets if we manage to come up with an interesting concept for content – and find the time to produce some. There’s not much point in posting an update every six months.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Pop music is magic.
