>> The VOX Interview :: Zero 7 >>
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>> Zero 7
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VOXonline.com:
With the success you’ve had with the last few records, does it create extra pressure
or change the way you write and assemble a record?
Henry Binns:
Only in some…simple things, that took us by surprise, after the debut album, there
were some traps laid out that we could have fallen in to, but I think we avoided them. Did we feel a little bit of pressure? Maybe, but it wasn’t like Atlantic was
pushing us into some sort of specific direction. It’s
never been like, “How do I make this pair of shoes fit me?” We actually went to a much smaller set up and did
things our own way. In the end, I’m
always for Max anyway, regardless of what the label wants.
I’m the one saying let’s get on with it already.
For us, we started
on an indie, and somehow go swallowed up, to where we’re on Warner Brothers,
basically. Maybe it’s lucky that we were
never quite commercial enough to be on mainstream radio, so there isn’t a smash hit
we’ve got to follow up or anything.
VOX: How is this record different from past Zero 7 efforts?
Henry: It’s
more dynamic, more colorful, I think. We
weren’t really pushing ourselves to so anything drastically different, we did decide
to pursue every idea, eve if it took us down a path we wouldn’t have normally gone. I’d say I’d been too anal in the past,
and tried to keep within some boundaries. This
time we just let it takes it’s course.
VOX: Now
that you’ve been through this a few times, what would you do differently in the way
you’ve dealt with the industry, looking back?
Henry: So
many things, hmm…I don’t really know. I
do regret us being on a big label somewhat. They
don’t get us, and we get pulled in so many different directions. It makes it difficult.
VOX: Tell
me about this record – what should we expect from the new songs?
Henry: I
don’t know…a hodgepodge, I suppose. With
Sia and Jose, things have gone amazingly well, and I think the record reflects that. I would say good music that you can enjoy. That should cover it.
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VOX:
Electronica seems to move in fits and starts. Where
do you the genre as a whole going?
Henry: I’m
not sure. I am glad that the whole umbrella
of “dance music” has expanded to include so many styles and genres. Even folk music has made its way into things. For me, it’s always been about the song, and
just because I add a drum box to it, it’s still the same, I think. Listen to “You’re My Flame,” and if
you take away the drum box, I still think the song holds up.
I just hope that
dance music doesn’t drift and get lost, as it may.
I hope we can continue with some of the momentum that has been built.
VOX: What
are your expectations for the record?
Henry: I’m very happy with the way things are going,
to be honest. Jose has fit in so well with
what we’re doing, it is going very nicely.
VOX: Any
tour plans?
Henry: We’ll
be back in the States soon – we’ve got a date in San Diego, then on to the
Hollywood Bowl, which will be quite a big deal, then on to San Francisco. That’s all in late August and early September
– so we’ll back to see you very soon.
