Music / Previews
A(nother) Touch of Zen
With the band’s new album The Charm Account all sorted out and available, and the vinyl version coming in the New Year Zen Hussies mainman, lyricist and singer Jonah Flatfoot (aka Jules Landau) is wrestling with the eternal problem:
“When you spend ages making an album as good as you can of course you want people to hear it and buy it. But how do you get it onto the shelves and the airwaves? This is our fourth proper studio album and it doesn’t get any easier.”
The Charm Account is a corker, a collection of new songs in the Hussies inimitable flophouse swing style recorded with an appropriately retro sound thanks to the use of analogue equipment. That included using old-school recording tape for the mastering process and as much ‘first take’ material as possible.
“We’re really quick in the studio because we get it tight in rehearsal before we go in. The aim is to get it from the first mix if we can. My experience is you can often get a great desk mix and then spend a week twiddling away at it without actually improving things. So much modern music has a laminated sound because it’s studio processed. It makes it hard to find warmth and grit in the music.”
With songs celebrated booze (Quafftide), commiserating with poverty (Life’s A Gas Bill) and cursing the political classes (Party Sarnie) and musical influences ranging from New Orleans jazz to pre-war swing, rootsy ska and even the odd cheeky Mariachi trumpet the next chapter in the Zen Hussies story holds firm to the spirit of the 15 years since the band originally formed.
There’s been a few personnel changes over that time with the latest couple of new young members even joining during the album sessions, prompting Jonah/Jules to notice that “they were about 8 when we started the band!” It’s important to remember that back in those days their theatrical blend of swing, ska and rock’n’roll was pretty unique. And if, since then, many have followed along that errant path, Jonah/Jules is reluctant to see the Hussies as trendsetters.
“We were just kind of re-inventing the wheel, trying not to sound like anybody else. I guess if we influenced anyone else it’s a nice thought, but we don’t really think like that.”
So right now the task is to spread the word and get the music heard, which starts with what the band do best: playing live. With Bristol gigs up-coming their many fans will soon have the chance to enjoy the new tunes and, of course, pick up a copy of the CD to take home.
The Zen Hussies play at The Attic Bar (Friday December 11) and Bocabar (Saturday December 12)
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