TZU

For the ancient chinese military strategist and author, see Sun Tzu.

TZU
TZU (Joelistics, left, and Seed MC, right) performing at the Melbourne Big Day Out in 2006
Background information
Origin	Melbourne, Australia
Genres	Australian hip hop
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Liberation
Website	http://www.tzu.com.au
Members	Joelistics AKA Joel Ma (vocals, guitar, bass) Seed MC AKA Countbounce AKA Phillip Norman (vocals, guitar, bass) Paso Bionic AKA Shahab Tariq (turntables) Yeroc AKA Corey McGregor (drums, samplers) Duzy What AKA Dustin (keys)

TZU (pronounced Tee Zed Yoo) is an Australian hip hop group, formed in Melbourne, Victoria. TZU uses instruments in live performances, giving their shows a rock-infused feeling.

History

Formation

The group formed in 1999 as a side project, combining members of the groups Curse ov Dialect and Pan. The name TZU is taken from the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. The band originally called itself "Tzu" (pronounced tsoo), but changed its name due to the common mispronunciation of "T-Z-U". In 2005, keyboard player, Duzy What, was added to the group's lineup.

Reception

TZU has received regular Triple J airplay of Position Correction and Smiling at Strangers. In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.

Live

The group has performed at festivals such as the Big Day Out, Falls Festival, MS Fest and the Meredith Music Festival, in addition to smaller shows.

Awards and nominations

Nominations

• 2005 Australian Music Prize (AMP) - Best contemporary music album (Smiling at Strangers)
• 2007 APRA Award - Most Performed Urban Work ("In Front of Me")
• 2008 J Award - Australian Album of the Year (Computer Love)
• 2012 8th AMP Longlist

Media criticism

• "Melbourne group TZU just can't stop upping the ante ... They meld classic eighties electro with the more traditional funk keeping the emphasis on authenticity and class throughout." - Rolling Stone Australia magazine (2008)
• "Computer Love is full of old school synth's , masterful sampling and live instrumentation - a maverick in its field and release that will set a new standard for the Australian music landscape." - Inpress (2008)
• "The four piece aren't your stereo typical hiphop outfit - Think laid back vibes and rhymes... Expect good times and a party atmosphere." - The Sun-Herald (2008)

Richard Kingsmill, Musical Director of Australian radio station, triple j, stated in regard to the band 2008 J Award nomination for Computer Love: "They open their album saying "TZU still feelin' awesome". I couldn't agree more. They keep growing as an act and expanding on their influences. This album has so much life and they're doing all this themselves. No mentors, producers or anyone getting in the way. Pure talent."

Discography

Albums

• Position Correction (2004, Liberation Music)
• Smiling at Strangers (2005, Liberation) (reissued in 2006 with an added EP as Snarling at Strangers) ARIA #71 (Sept 2005)
• Computer Love (2008, Liberation)ARIA #23
• Cover Up Motel (2009, Liberation)
• Millions of Moments (2012, Liberation Music) (singles include Beginning of the End and Beautiful) ARIA #57, (Oct 2012)

"Cover up motel" is an anagram of "computer love" and the album of the same name features remixes of all of the tracks from Computer Love by the group's favourite Australian artists and producers. Remixers included M-phazes, Hermitude, Plutonic Lab, Trials (Funkoars) and Blue King Brown.

EPs

• um... just a liddlbidova mic check EP (2001)
• Limited Edition Tour Promo EP (2003)
• Dam Busters EP EP (2003)
• In Front of Me EP (2005)

External links

• Official site