7 Oct 2017

Yumi Zouma on Willowbank

From RNZ Music, 1:45 pm on 7 October 2017

For many bands, the first years together are a hard slog - characterised by intense rehearsing, writing, touring and promo - all in the hopes of cutting through the noise and being heard by the right person.

Then there are bands like Yumi Zouma - who in 2014 released their first EP - stitched together on the internet from different corners of the world - and seemed to immediately capture the attention of both industry and a bunch of passionate fans.

Yumi Zouma

Yumi Zouma Photo: supplied

This immediate attention led to some of the band's first rehearsals being held on arena stages, supporting Chet Faker and Lorde.

Last year Yumi Zouma released their debut full length album Yoncalla, recorded on the road in the US and got decent critical praise.

Yesterday Yumi Zouma released their second album Willowbank, this time recorded over a laid back summer on home turf in Christchurch - the vibe of which can be heard throughout the peaceful, glistening tracks.

Melody Thomas speaks with most of the band from an apartment in London, on the eve of their first official show of the tour.

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