|
Zero 7 is the London-based
producer duo of Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns. Working
from their own studio, Zero 7 first became known for their
remixes of Radiohead, Lenny Kravitz, Terry Callier, Sneaker
Pimps, Lambchop, and others. Simple Things, their
first full-length album, is a certified U.K. Gold album. It features
contributions by a variety of string, horn, and percussion players
and highlights the vocals of Sia Furler, Mozez, and Sophie
Barker. The album was nominated for the U.K.'s prestigious
Mercury Prize for "Album of the Year," alongside PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Basement
Jaxx, Goldfrapp, and Gorillaz. Quango and Palm have
released Simple Things in North America with two additional
bonus tracks. Since the scant 1000 copies of their debut EP sold
out in days (leaving only a few tastemakers to enjoy the soundtrack
to the films running in their minds) Zero 7 have been extremely
busy. Following the enormous success of their top 30 hit 'Destiny'
and hitting gold (literally) with the release of their album 'Simple
Things', their most notable accolade to date was the Technics Mercury
Award nomination they received this year. An appearance on ' Later
with Jools Holland' and winning 'Best Newcomer' at this year's
Muzik Awards are only two examples of Zero 7's phenomenal accomplishments
so far this year.
The bare facts are these; two nice lads, growing up together in North London.
Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker are both 30, both still live within a couple of
miles of each other and have always lived in each other's pockets. At the tail
end of the 80s, they both opted to study sound engineering, one hooked on soul,
jazz and classical, the other on hip hop. "When we met on the mid 80s I was a
soul boy," beams Henry, "Sam was more into hip hop." Both left to serve their
studio apprenticeship at Mickie Most's RAK studios. They spent a couple of years
watching rock stars like Robert Plant and the Pet Shop Boys and rubbing shoulders
with hard-up Northern pub bands down for the weekend. "I don't think either of
us worked on anything we actually liked," Sam makes a face. "Speak for yourself," bounces
Henry, "I had the Young Disciples."
College mate Nigel Godrich was busy producing Radiohead's 'OK Computer' and he
gave them the chance to remix Radiohead's 'Climbing Up The Walls'? I had no idea
what we had done until I turned on the radio and Gilles Peterson was playing
it." Radio One's resident downtempo guru Peterson loved it, and commissioned
the pair to give soul legend Terry Callier dome of the orchestral sheen his records
had back in the day. Which takes us to where we came in.
This Summer Zero 7 played at some of the biggest festivals across Europe including
a headline London gig which sold out 4 weeks upfront. Sia's distinctively seductive
vocals, Sophie's sultry, sexy sound and Mozez' deep, velvety tone come together
to offer you a stunning combination of vocal talent which crosses over perfectly
to the stage. For the live shows Sam and Henry got together with musicians who
played on the album and friends to build a group of mostly 11 and sometimes up
to 20 members on stage at one time to sell out audiences. For a live downtempo
band they create an amazingly electric atmosphere and received standing ovations
at every gig.
|
Bio