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) are an Australian hip hop group, originating from Melbourne, Victoria. They are known for live shows with significant crowd involvement,^{[citation needed]} at festivals such as Big Day Out, Falls Festival, MS Fest and the Meredith Music Festival, in addition to smaller shows. TZU differs from typical hip hop groups because they use instruments in their performances. The use of guitars, keyboards and drums gives their shows a rock infused vibe.^[1]

History

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 themselves Tzu (pronounced tsoo) but changed their name due to the public pronouncing it as T-Z-U.^[2] In 2005 keyboard player Duzy What was added to the group's lineup. They have received regular Triple J airplay of Position Correction and Smiling at Strangers.^[3] In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.^[4]

Awards and nominations

Nominations

• 2005 Australian Music Prize - Best contemporary music album (Smiling at Strangers) ^[5]
• 2007 APRA Award - Most Performed Urban Work ("In Front of Me") ^[6]
• 2008 J Award - Australian Music Video of the Year ("Computer Love") ^[7]

Appraisal

• "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, 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

Discography

Albums

• Position Correction (2004, Liberation Music)
• Smiling at Strangers (2005, Liberation) (reissued in 2006 with an added EP as Snarling at Strangers)
• Computer Love (2008, Liberation)
• Cover Up Motel (2009, Liberation)

Cover up motel is an anagram of Computer love, it features all of the tracks from Computer love remixed by the favorite Aussie artists and producers of the TZU members. Including the likes of M-phazes, hermitude, plutonic, trials (from funkoars), Blue King brown and more.

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)

References

1. ^ "Hip-hop without the usual bling bling". Sydney Morning Herald. 27 March 2006. http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/hiphop-without-the-bling/2006/03/26/1143330915828.html. 
2. ^ "DigitalThugz - Interview with MC Joelistics from TZU". Digitalthugz. 24 August 2004. http://www.digitalthugz.com/html/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=106. 
3. ^ "Tzu@J Play". J Play. 2008. http://www.jplay.com.au/JSite/ViewArtist.aspx?ArtistID=318. 
4. ^ "TZU - Who's Next Winners Feature: Yahoo!7 Music". Yahoo!7 Music. 2005. http://au.launch.yahoo.com/whos-next/tzu/index.html. 
5. ^ "DIG Internet Radio - Australian Music Prize; Shortlist Announced". ABC. 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/dig/stories/s1562942.htm. 
6. ^ "APRA Music Awards - Nomination". APRA. 2007. http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/Nom07_UrbanWork.asp. 
7. ^ "J Award - Australian Music Video of the Year". ABC. 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jawards/video.htm. 

External links

• Official site
• TZU on Myspace