Yumi Zouma


Yumi Zouma are an alternative pop band from New Zealand. The band consists of Christie Simpson, Josh Burgess, Charlie Ryder, and Olivia Campion. The band's name is an amalgamation of the two friends that encouraged the group to start writing together.
The group's origins trace back to their history of playing concerts together in Christchurch, New Zealand. However, the band did not begin writing music together until multiple members moved abroad and began collaborating over email following the events of the Christchurch earthquake. This early material gained attention within the musical blogosphere and encouraged American label Cascine to sign the band before they had played live or held a band practice.
Between 2014 and 2015, the group released two extended plays and opened for various international acts. The band's debut album Yoncalla was released in 2016, including the singles "Keep It Close To Me" and "Barricade ".
Following another extensive period of touring, the band returned in 2017 to announce the release of their second album, Willowbank, and the singles "December", "Depths ", and "Half Hour". A trilogy of EPs was completed with the release of EP III in 2018. The band released a stand-alone single "Bruise" in 2019. On the 10th of December 2019 the band released a track called "Right Track / Wrong Man", their first release on new labels Polyvinyl Record Co. and Inertia Music.

Career

Early career: ''EP I'' and ''EP II'' (2014–2015)

Founded by Burgess, Ryder, and vocalist Kim Pflaum, the group began writing music using file sharing services when Burgess left New Zealand to work at New York-based record label Captured Tracks. The band's first release, EP I, debuted in early 2014, after the single A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers appeared on several blogs before being quickly taken down. The band were positively reviewed by Pitchfork and profiled by The Guardian, leading to the group signing with Brooklyn-based record label Cascine. In mid-2014, the band began playing live, touring with singer Lorde, and collaborating with other acts, such as Swedish band Air France. Guitarist Sam Perry and vocalist Christie Simpson joined the group in 2015, while Pflaum left and started the solo project Madeira. The band released a second EP, EP II, in early 2015, and proceeded to tour extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, with the likes of Jamie xx and Lower Dens.

''Yoncalla'' (2016)

The band quickly released their first full-length album, Yoncalla, the following year. As opposed to the long-distance writing of the band's earlier releases, Yoncalla consisted of material that had been finished during tours for EP II. The majority of the album's final material was written in Paris, France, following an American tour which stopped by the city of Yoncalla, Oregon. The band produced the album at electronic musician Philippe Zdar's Motorbass studio in Paris, enabling them to achieve a sound more akin to classic synth-pop than their previous records.

''Willowbank'' (2017)

After a year of heavy touring in support of Yoncalla, the band travelled home to record in New Zealand for the first time. A limited edition cover of the Oasis album Morning Glory? was distributed on vinyl in early 2017, before the release of the band's second album, Willowbank, in October. The sessions for Willowbank marked the first time that the group had worked together in a professional studio, with the band initially questioning whether they should "all move into separate rooms" to recreate the remote song writing process from previous records. However, the sessions allowed for stronger collaboration and more organic instrumentation compared to earlier material, leading to jazz musician Olivia Campion joining the band as a live drummer. Lead single Depths became a success on streaming platforms, and was accompanied by a video created by illustrator Frances Haszard. Following the completion of touring for Willowbank, Perry left the band in order to concentrate on his Serbia-based musical project DOG Power.

''EP III'' (2018)

In wake of the departure of Perry, the remaining four members of the band proceeded to return to the methods of long-distance writing that had inspired their earlier material. This process led to the creation of a third EP, released in October 2018. A video for lead single In Camera was released in early 2019, directed by Pavel Brenner.

''Truth or Consequences'' (2020)

After signing to Polyvinyl in late 2019, Yumi Zouma is set to release their third studio album Truth or Consequences on March 13th of 2020. The album features the singles "Right Track/Wrong Man" and "Cool For A Second." Along with the album, Yumi Zouma is set to release a unique line of merchandise which includes a candle, bandana, and enamel pin.

Band members

Current

Live concert equipment

For studio recordings, the band use their live equipment, a Sequential Prophet 600 synthesizer, and an Apogee Electronics Duet recording interface.

Discography

Studio albums