Pip from TZU is a happy chap. The new album Computer Love is completed. The band has been touring in support of the album. He’s back on the road and he has just had some soup. That was my introduction to Pip. “Soup is good. You should have some soup.” Of course, I choose that minute to tell him it’s not exactly lunchtime for me yet.
Big mistake. The first five or so minutes is spent with Pip fussing over my non-existent eating habits. “Have some soup. Or coffee. Get something into you! Not eating is bad for you!” After orders are received and understood to his satisfaction (but not necessarily followed), we get down to the nitty-gritties of the world of TZU.
“The album has its moments of depth and intensity, but it felt no different to any of our previous recordings, except that it was a more drawn out process, so at times, we found it physically exhausting,” Pip muses. “The subject matter [such as domestic violence] came from us having contact with people who had experienced such events. Seeing it from afar…we tried to capture it and it simply morphed into what it is now.”
One thing’s for sure. “Man Boobs” are definitely something noticeable from afar. “Oh that….That was a high moment in our artistic career,” Pip laughs when questioned about the terminology. “We wanted to show the world that we had reached the summit of poetic grandeur.” From the guys who made hip-hop fun (again), the link between domestic violence, man boobs and the title ‘Computer Love’ sure doesn’t look like poetic grandeur to me though. “It’s really a kickback to the ‘80s. The ‘80s was when it was all happening. Technology accelerated. It was the golden era. The digital era. The album has a strong electro flavour to it, and consequentially, titling it Computer Love works as a great springboard for us as it references the styles on the album.”
Computer Love is the third album for the band, who is still riding high following the success of their 2004 debut Position, Correction. Pip tells us that riding high is exactly the term he had in mind. “It’s more like having a go on the Gravatron – it spins you round and drives you up the walls, but it’s fun, and you can pull funny faces. It does leave you a little sick afterwards.”
There have been a few additions to the TZU crew to join in their fun and to feel a little ill with them afterwards. “We have a few new members who may just become permanent members of the crew. We had them on board for the album, and each brought such a special vibe, a special dynamic to our music. We also have Berocca!” Pip announces gleefully, his boundless enthusiasm channelling across the many miles separating us. “We also have outfit changes and choreographed moves. If we survive this tour, you should catch us touring the summer festivals [hopefully], showing off our new synced dance moves!”
To me, that sounds like a recipe for a boy band. But that’s probably a perk of being where TZU are now – they are able to do practically what they want. Almost. “When we are invited to program Rage, we’re going to announce our retirement!” Pip announces. “Don’t get me wrong – there was pressure for the third album. But it was pressure from the hype surrounding it, and it’s a good type of pressure, because it’s something we can take and use on stage,” Pip explains. “As a band, we’re also constantly adjusting to make things enjoyable and refreshing. We don’t take it for granted that everyone will always be there. Sometimes people get over your music, which is something beyond out control. What we can control is our music. That is something we are always striving to make better. However, with Computer Love it’s just right. The timing is right.”
Computer Love is out now through Liberation/Warner.
