yourGigs (yG): How's your day been? Hectic or is this the first interview for the day?
Corey McGregor (CM): Ah! Yeah we're about four in so I'm just warming up. My vocal chords and lips are nicely massaged ... Yeah my A&R guy is here he likes to massage my lips for me.
yG: Really?
CM: [Laughs.] Nah, he's just giving me weird looks now.
yG: I am a huge fan of you guys. I only got introduced to you recently, but every time I get in the car your CD is the first one in the player.
CM: Awesome. I think I prefer this one to the last one.
yG: Why's that?
CM: I just like the sound. The last album, as much as I liked it, I just think sound-wise we didn't nail it. What I like about the latest one is it's a lot synthi-er.
yG: There's definitely a lot of 80s-infused funk going on.
C: Yeah, and that's what I'm digging on at the moment. I really like that sound, and I kind of wish even with this one we'd gone more down that line, so hopefully the next album will be even more so. I'm looking forward to it.
yG: Is TZU bringing the 80s back?
CM: Well it's not really about the 80s, because the album doesn't really sound that 80s. There are a few references, like 21 Jump Street and stuff like that, rather than actually sounding like an 80s record, 'cause there are certain sounds from the 80s that drive me up the wall, like reverb claps, you know? [Laughs.]
yG: Are you surprised by the way Aussie hip hop has exploded onto the mainstream scene in the last few years?
CM: I don't think it's really exploded onto the scene, but it's definitely getting played on the radio stations more than ever before. That's a good thing. That means everyone is going to try and push to do something different, so it helps everyone.
yG: TZU has had some press in the past about the political nature of your music. Would you like to see more political songs in hip hop today?
CM: Well, each to their own really. But for us, you know we are quite politically minded, and if you have a vehicle to express something that you believe in then sometimes that's the best thing to do. Whether people want to listen to it or not is another thing, but it's a great way to put your thoughts and feeling into something.
yG: What was it like working with Renee Geyer?
CM: She's pretty goddamn out there. [Laughs]. But it's funny 'cause it was Joel who was in the studio and Phillip recording her and she treated Phillip like a little bit of a bitch. [Laughs].
yG: Really?
CM: Yep, I think she was pretty hard on him. But she is actually an awesome lady, with such a great voice, I love her track it's awesome.
yG: Her voice is phenomenal; it sounds like it is in great condition.
CM: [Laughs.] Yeah, sometimes I think she sounds like a black man.
yG: That's a good thing though, right?
C: Yeah totally man, absolutely. I'd be lucky to sound half as badass as her. [Laughs.]
yG: The new album is a two-disc package with the title of the second disc, Cover Up Motel , being an anagram of the album title, Computer Love. Whose idea was that?
CM: Yeah, Shahab [Tariq]'s. He's pretty much the brains of the group. He's an amazing dude. He also has done all of our artwork since we started.
yG: The packaging of the album is pretty awesome. Do you think artists are putting more effort into the packaging to try and combat file sharing?
CM: Yeah. That's an interesting thought. I haven't though like that, I don't think it's intentional on our part, I think Paso just loves doing art. But I definitely agree, he's done a great job.
yG: So Cover up Motel is Computer Love remixed by some of TZU's favourite DJs. Which remix is your favourite?
CM: I'd have to say 'Mondays'. I actually prefer it to the original track.
yG: Terminal Sound System's remix is pretty cool.
CM: Yep am totally with you on that. I've been a big fan of his for ages and we wanted to get him on the last album but it just never happened. I'm really stoked with what he did. Sonically it's just out this world.
yG: This is TZU's farewell tour. What can fan's expect?
CM: Yeah this is our goodbye tour; we're going to do a bit of a retrospective show. Without sounding wanky. [Laughs.] People always ask us to play tracks that we haven't played in years so it will be good.
yG: What's the plan for the break?
CM: Well I think all of us just feel like it's time to work on other things for a while. Joel's going to go live overseas, and just have fun doing something else. I mean, it's been awesome but you do also need some self time.
yG: Any side projects in the pipelines?
CM: I've got a couple on the go, and that's going to be exciting. I'm looking forward to it; it's actually me and the bass player from TZU so it should be a lot of fun.
yG: So will TZU be back?
CM: Oh we'll be back alright.
Alex Hahn
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