TZU
Encyclopedia
For the ancient chinese military strategist and author, see Sun Tzu
.
TZU are an Australian hip hop
group, originating from Melbourne
, Victoria
. They are known for live shows with significant crowd involvement, 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.
. The band originally called themselves Tzu but changed their name due to the public pronouncing it as T-Z-U. 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
. In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.
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.
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
.
TZU are an Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop
Australian hip hop music began in the early 1980s; originally it was primarily influenced by hip hop music and culture imported via radio and television from the United States of America. However, since the 1990s, a distinctive local style has developed. Australian hip hop is an underground music...
group, originating from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. They are known for live shows with significant crowd involvement, at festivals such as Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, Falls Festival
Falls Festival
The Falls Festival is a New Year's Eve music festival, held annually in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania Australia since 1993.It lasts four days, from 29 December to 1 January each year. The headline acts play mostly over two evenings, 30 December and 31 December...
, MS Fest and the Meredith Music Festival
Meredith Music Festival
The Meredith Music Festival is a three-day outdoor music festival held every December at the Supernatural Amphitheatre, a natural amphitheatre located on private farmland near the town of Meredith in Victoria, Australia...
, 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.
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 TzuLaozi
Laozi was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching . His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism...
. The band originally called themselves Tzu but changed their name due to the public pronouncing it as T-Z-U. In 2005 keyboard player Duzy What was added to the group's lineup. They have received regular Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
airplay of Position Correction
Position Correction
Position Correction is the debut album by Australian Hip Hop band TZU, released in 2004. The album was released under the P & C Liberation Music record label.-Track listing:# "Who?" - 3:56# "Summer Days" - 3:53# "Position Correction" - 3:57...
and Smiling at Strangers
Smiling at Strangers
Smiling at Strangers is an Australian Hip Hop album by TZU, released in 2005. The album was produced by Magoo and released under the P & C Liberation Music record label....
. In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.
Nominations
- 2005 Australian Music PrizeAustralian Music PrizeThe Australian Music Prize is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The award made by Australian Music Prize Ltd, a sole-purpose entity sponsored by a variety of music industry figures and...
- Best contemporary music album (Smiling at StrangersSmiling at StrangersSmiling at Strangers is an Australian Hip Hop album by TZU, released in 2005. The album was produced by Magoo and released under the P & C Liberation Music record label....
) - 2007 APRAAustralasian Performing Right AssociationThe Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
Award - Most Performed Urban Work ("In Front of Me") - 2008 J AwardJ AwardThe J Award is an award given by influential Australian youth radio station Triple J to Australian Album of the Year. It is judged by a panel of members of the music industry, led by Richard Kingsmill...
- Australian Music Video of the Year ("Computer Love")
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
Albums
- Position CorrectionPosition CorrectionPosition Correction is the debut album by Australian Hip Hop band TZU, released in 2004. The album was released under the P & C Liberation Music record label.-Track listing:# "Who?" - 3:56# "Summer Days" - 3:53# "Position Correction" - 3:57...
(2004, Liberation MusicLiberation MusicLiberation Music is a boutique, independent Australasian record company, started in 1999 by Michael Gudinski and Warren Costello. Its stated aim is to find, nurture and then to develop new talent for a world market while remaining independent in the process...
) - Smiling at StrangersSmiling at StrangersSmiling at Strangers is an Australian Hip Hop album by TZU, released in 2005. The album was produced by Magoo and released under the P & C Liberation Music record label....
(2005, Liberation) (reissued in 2006 with an added EP as Snarling at StrangersSnarling at StrangersSnarling at Strangers is a repackaged version of Smiling at Strangers, an Australian Hip Hop album by TZU. The album also came with an EP containing five previously unreleased tracks...
) - Computer LoveComputer Love (album)Computer Love is an Australian hip hop album by TZU, released on 28 June 2008. The album was released under the P & C Liberation Music record label and debuted at no...
(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)