SAY ZUZU
Every Mile
Every Mile is every inch a winner. For their first studio release since 1998's Bull, Say Zuzu have honed their hooks and rocked out harder. They kick off the disc with "Lonely", a tune that surges with twangy energy. The group, however, hasn't discarded their quieter, country moments as the closing tune "Still" demonstrates. On the ten tracks in-between those two, the band never falters, making this record the groups strongest effort. (Milltown)

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For ten years Jon Nolan fronted seminal New England roots-rockers Say ZuZu. After fighting the good indie fight for many miles, gigs and six full length releases, his previous band called it quits.

In their time together they managed to forge a reputation as one of the hardest working and most respected indie bands of the nineties and early aughts. They were profiled and/or reviewed in No Depression, Harp magazine, The Boston Globe, Portland Press Herald, countless online 'zines and newspapers across the US and Europe including Italy's Buscadero, and the Netherland's Oor.

Jon and ZuZu toured the US and Europe many times and became cult faves in Italy in particular, selling more than 10,000 CDs there alone. Their successes landed them a record contract with Germany's Blue Rose Records, home to such acts as Alejandro Escovedo, Drive By Truckers, The Bottle Rockets, Slobberbone and others.

ZuZu's final studio effort "Every Mile" was released by Blue Rose in 2001, a Live CD/ DVD of one of the subsequent European tourdates is due out spring of 2004 (also on Blue Rose.)

Jon's first solo recording, When the Summers Lasted Long, is due out in 2004 as well. It is being mixed by Paul Q. Kolderie in Cambridge, MA. Paul's credits include recording, mixing and/or producing Radiohead, Morphine, Uncle Tupelo, Pixies, Clapton, Ryan Adams, Willie, and on and on and on.......

He has played hundreds of shows in 25 states and five countries - Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and of course in The USA.

He has shared the stage with Richard Buckner, The Dixie Chicks, Patty Griffin,Damnations TX, Dick Dale, Slaid Cleaves, Joe Ely, Guy Clark, Slobberbone, Bob Neuwirth, Geoff Muldaur and a bazillion other great (however lesser known) bands.

HOKUM - Jon's backing band, features:

Jim Gambino of Swinging Steaks (former Capricorn Records artist.) The Steaks have had great success throughout the years and were even featured on Late night with Conan O'Brien.

Ken Schopf is a Boston area producer/drummer. Ken has drummed with Kris Delmhorst (Signature Sounds), drummed/produced for Jess Klein (Ryko), and also drummed for Gingersol (Rubric) among others.

Tim McCoy plays bass with pop kings Lemon Fresh Kids, and was part of power pop legends Heavens to Murgatroid.

Russ Chud, guitar wiz, has played with half of New England, most recently with Jake Brennan and the Confidence Men (Yep Roc)

Visit Jon @ http://www.jonnolan.net

The M.o.M. Q & A With
JON NOLAN

1. Describe the moment in which music changed your life.

That's tough. That's kind of like asking when you first realized a sunset/ sunrise is breathtakingly beautiful. Music has truly always done something to me and something for me. I can't remember a time when it wasn't on my radar. My folks didn't have a lot of records, but we always sang in the car, and around the campfire with my Uncle who played guitar, and listened to oldies stations and stuff. It's been a part of my life the whole way through, so I guess it was never absent. My first real gig at my high school in 1988 has to rank up there though (with fellow future 'ZuZus Cliff Murphy and brother James). We killed! Man, what a thrill. I think we floated for a week. That being said, the first time James Cliff and I played - we knew we would play music together for a long time, and we did for 12 years together.

2. I wish I wrote this song, and why.

This might change next week, but at the moment it has to be "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" by John Prine. I've been covering it a bunch lately. It's so simple, and it has a gorgeous melody and it just really resonates with me deeply. I love singing it. It's an amazing song. It's the same kind of thing that made Hank great. Deceivingly simple, but from the heart and profoundly moving. It's the kind of song that helps me to remember not to think too much when I'm writing. I'll be damned if Prine phoned that one in. That song has to be from the heart.

3. If I could have been at any concert in history, what would it have been, and why?

I guess it'd have to be one of the Joshua Tree era U2 shows at the old Boston Garden in the 80's. U2 was the first band to really scoop me up and inspire me. I was raised on the Beatles, Stones and Dylan. My uncle Tom, the one who taught me my first three chords made sure of that. But U2 was the first band that I discovered all on my own. Friends of mine who were at those shows still talk about them in hushed tones, the bastards.

4. What have you blatantly stolen and incorporated into your songwriting or performance?

Wtf??! You don't think I'm a true original??! I keed! I keed! I know I've tried to pull off some Spingsteen-esque things now and again I'm sure. Tweedy stuff has to be in there too I think. Oh, and I cop some Neil Young guitar stuff on "All Dried Up" on the new record. You know, that octave-y thing he does - like on "Like a Hurricane."

5. With a gun to your head, describe your music.

A smart and introspective mish mash of americana, pop and roots rock anchored by stirring and brilliantly emotive vocals, earnest songwriting, and with stylistic nods to Wilco, Tom Petty, Neil Young and The Beach Boys.

6. One thing I hate about the music business is:

That it seems to be more about the business of money than music.

7. Who is the artist your parents or older sibling listened to that you swore you would never like but have come to appreciate?

Um, it's sad to say, but of the ten(!) records my folks owned, Willie Nelson's "Stardust" is the only one I came around on (thank God). Jimmy Buffet? Chicago? Lionel Richie? Ahhh... not so much. Willie however still rules.

8. What song could you never cover because it's just too damn good and you'd be afraid to ruin it?

"Wouldn't it Be Nice" by The Beach Boys

9. What's one creature comfort you crave while on the road?

Good, strong, black coffee. GOOD coffee damnit. For that matter, it's not just on the road of course.

10. I can die after I've met:

Springsteen or Neil Young I guess. That's a toughie.

11. What's your favorite poison?

Poison? Well, I don't drink ye olde alky-hol any longer, but when I do partake in a vice, it'd have to be cigars. I do love good cigars.

12. The best way to ride out a hangover?

Well, back in the day I guess I woulda used Willie's favorite pastime to help see me through, and maybe some re-runs of Charlie's Angels or CHiPS to accompany the "vibe." I've found that not drinking in the first place really helps me keep the ol' hangovers at bay quite well though. How strange.

13. If you were a Simpsons character, which one would you be, and why?

Homer for sure. My default is "couch." And who doesn't like a good floor pie now and again? Mmmm, floor pies.

14. Rate these bands best to worst: Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Kansas. Explain your reasoning.

FOREIGNER - Come on, tell me you don't like the guitar on the verses of "Hot Blooded." And while you're at it, come on, tell me do you do more than dance? Classic tailor-made air guitar fodder. This trumps the dumb ass non-ironic me-so-horny lyrics which you know, are a riot.

JOURNEY - Atari made a Journey video game in the 80's. I've played it even. It sucked as much as they do, I don't even remember what the point was - just like Journey.

KANSAS - Mullets and mustaches galore! These guys are probably guilty of plugging one ear with a finger while harmonizing too. This is a serious rock foul worthy of a ten point deduction. Granted I've never actually seen them do it, but let's be frank shall we? They totally do it.

STYX- Dennis DeYoung's "allergy" to stage lights trumps even his horrendous black and white striped Mork/mime shirt. Can that thing have a lower neckline and still be a "man's" shirt? Nice perm too dawg. Not even the rock out ending of "Come Sail Away" can save him, and let's not forget he uses the word "lad." I can go on and on.

QUEEN - I've taken it upon myself to add this one, mostly to get my bass player Tim all fired up. Queen? Total and complete musical poo. Seriously though, I hate Queen. They stink.

15.You've become King/Queen of the world, what's your first move?

Uh, well, I'd be happy just to pay off my house. Is that too boring an answer? Too bad! I'm King!

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5 Five Albums that Jon Nolan Currently Digging ?

1. Sam Phillips - A Boot and Shoe
2. The Everybodyfields - Halfway There: Electricity and The South
3. The Kamikaze Hearts - Foxhole EP
4. Richard Buckner - Devotion and Doubt
5. Sara Cox - Arrive

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