TZU

TZU (pronounced Tee Zed Yoo) was an Australian hip hop group, formed in Melbourne, Victoria. TZU used instruments in live performances, giving their shows a rock-infused feeling.[2] They are best known for their 2008 album, Computer Love, which peaked in the ARIA top 30.

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
OriginMelbourne, Australia
GenresAustralian hip hop
Years active1999–2013
LabelsLiberation
Websitehttp://www.tzu.com.au
MembersJoelistics a.k.a. Joel Ma (vocals, guitar, bass)
Seed MC a.k.a. Countbounce a.k.a. Phillip Norman (vocals, guitar, bass)
Paso Bionic a.k.a. Shahab Tariq (turntables)
Yeroc a.k.a. Corey McGregor (drums, samplers)
Duzy What a.k.a. Dustin (keys)[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 name was thought of and gifted to TZU by Lee Hartney from The Smith Street Band. The band originally called itself "Tzu" (pronounced tsoo), but changed its name due to the common mispronunciation of "T-Z-U".[3] In 2005, keyboard player Duzy What[1] was added to the group's lineup.

In early 2006, they won Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" monthly music poll.[4]

In 2008, the band released their third studio album, Computer Love. Rolling Stone Australia said "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." Inpress said "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."

Richard Kingsmill, Musical Director of Australian radio station Triple J, stated in regard to the band's 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."[5]

In 2012, after a period of inactivity for the band, TZU released their fourth and final album Millions of Moments.[6] To promote the album, they went on tour. Subsequently, Joelistics pursued a solo career and Count Bounce became a producer.[7]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums with Australian chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[8]
Position Correction -
Smiling at Strangers
  • Released: September 2005
  • Label: Liberation Music (LIBCD7176.2)
  • Format: CD, CD+CD_ROM
 71
Computer Love 23
Millions of Moments
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Liberation Music (9341004016194)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP
 57

Remix albums
List of remix albums
Title Details
Cover Up Motel

Extended Plays
List of extended plays
Title Details
um... just a liddlbidova mic check
  • Released: 2001
  • Label: Tzu
  • Format: CD
The Position Selection
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: Liberation Music
  • Format: LP

Singles
List of singles as lead artist and chart position
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS[8]
"The Horse You Rode in On" 2003 - Position Correction
"Dam Busters" -
"Wildstylee" 2004 -
"She Gets Up" 2005 - Smiling at Strangers
"In Front of Me"[10] 2006 51 Smiling at Strangers
"Computer Love" 2008 - Computer Love
"Beginning of the End"[11] 2012 - Millions of Moments
"Beautiful"[12] -
"Can You Feel It?"[13] 2019 -

Awards and nominations

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) 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 commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005[14] Smiling at Strangers Australian Music Prize Nominated
2015 Leisure Australian Music Prize Nominated

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2008[5] Computer Love Australian Album of the Year Nominated

APRA Awards
  • 2007 APRA Award - Most Performed Urban Work ("In Front of Me")[15]

References
  1. "About". TZU on Facebook. Facebook. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  2. Louise Hall (27 March 2006). "Hip-hop without the usual bling bling". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  3. Birchgrove Boy; forever_orea (24 August 2004). "Interview with MC Joelistics from TZU". Digitalthugz. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  4. "TZU - Who's Next Winners Feature: Yahoo!7 Music". Yahoo!7 Music. 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2007.
  5. "Computer Love TZU". triple j. ABC. 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  6. "Interview with Joelistics".
  7. "Interview with TZU, October 2012". 2012.
  8. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  9. "TZU release remix album". triple j. ABC. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. "In Front of Me - single". Apple Music. July 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  11. "Beginning of the End - single". Apple Music. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  12. "Beautiful - single". Apple Music. August 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  13. "Can You Feel It? - single". Apple Music. June 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  14. Brian Wise (6 February 2006). "Australian Music Prize; Shortlist Announced". ABC DIG Internet Radio. ABC. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  15. "Most Performed Urban Work Nominations - 2007". APRA|AMCOS. APRA|AMCOS. 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
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