Known for their blend of hardcore and powerviolence, Zulu is pushing the boundaries of those sounds into new territory on their debut full-length album, “A New Tomorrow”, set for release on March 3rd, 2023, via Flatspot Records.
Today, the Los Angeles-based band shares first single “Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did)”, a minute long song bursting at the seams with a heavy dose of reality and the riffs to match it. The video was filmed and directed by vocalist Anaiah Lei and guitarist Dez Yusef, giving a monochromatic look into the band.
On the lyrics, Lei states:
“Everyone wants to be black, but nobody really wants to be black. People take from our culture, use our language and surround themselves with people from the culture which in turn makes them believe they are a part of it. Those that will benefit from it when people in our community are looked down upon for being how they were born”.
“A New Tomorrow” serves as the band’s debut full-length album, following EPs “Our Day Will Come” (2019) and “My People.. Hold On” (2020). Taking on the task of self-producing the record, Zulu immersed themselves in collaborator Zach Tuch’s (Dare, Trash Talk) studio in the valley. After spending months toying with different instrumentation and samples, and pulling influences ranging from reggae to death metal, the result is an eclectic 15 tracks. You’ll hear in-your-face breakdowns adjacent to more soulful and jazz inspired sounds, screams making way for beautiful moments of spoken word. Instilling a sense of community and collaboration, the band brought in Soul Glo’s Pierce Jordan, Playytime’s Obioma Ugonna, and Truth Cult’s Paris Roberts for features on tracks.
Pre-order “A New Tomorrow” here.
Tracklist:
1. Africa
2. For Sista Humphrey
3. Our Day is Now
4. Music to Driveby
5. Where I’m From (feat. Pierce Jordan & Obioma Ugonna)
6. Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did)
7. Shine Eternally
8. Must I Only Share My Pain
9. Lyfe Az s Shorty Shun B So Ruff
10. From Tha Gods To Earth
11. Créme De Cassis By Aleisia Miller & Precious Tucker
12. We’re More Than This
13. 52 Fatal Strikes (feat. Paris Roberts)
14. Divine Intervention
15. Who Jah Bless No One Curse
The connection Zulu brings throughout “A New Tomorrow” is also apparent at the band’s fun and chaotic live shows, which have been almost non-stop for the past year and show zero signs of slowing down. The band will hit the road with OFF! in December, and the new year will see a run with Show Me The Body, Jesus Piece, Scowl, and TRiPP JONES starting February 9th, plus multiple festival appearances. You can find a full list of tour dates below.
North American Tour Dates 2022:
12/8 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
12/9 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
12/10 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
12/12 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
12/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
12/14 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
12/16 – San Francisco, CA @ Independent
12/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
(w/ OFF!)
North American Tour Dates 2023:
2/9 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
2/10 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
2/11 – Durham, NC @ Motorco
2/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
2/14 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
2/15 – Miami, FL @ Gramps
2/16 – Gainsville, FL @ The Wooly
2/17 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live
2/18 – Dallas, TX @ The Studio at The Factory
2/19 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
2/21 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
2/22 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
2/24 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
2/25 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
2/26 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
2/28 – Orange County, CA @ The Observatory
3/14 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
3/15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Underground Music Venue
3/16 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/17 – Detroit, MI @ Tangent Gallery
3/18 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
3/19 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
3/21 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
3/22 – Albany, NY @ Fuze Box
3/23 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
3/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
(w/ Show Me The Body + Jesus Piece + Scowl + TRiPP JONES)
Festivals 2023:
1/28 – Baltimore, MD @ Disturbin’ The Peace Fest
5/27 + 5/28 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Adjacent Festival
6/22-24 – Ysselsteyn, NL @ Jera on Air
6/23-25 – Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Fest
6/23-25 – Ferropolis, GER @ Full Force Fest
Line-up:
Anaiah Lei – Vocals
Braxton Marcellous – Guitar
Dez Yusuf – Guitar
Satchel Brown – Bass
Christine Cadette – Drums
