Zak and Leigh Baker of Zigadoo Moneyclips
Local band Zigadoo Moneyclips (also known as Z$) has been making musical waves in Memphis for more than a year. The group's debut album Her|Story was released in 2014, and the band has been performing songs from the album at events and venues across the city (and at a few out-of-town gigs) since. You may have seen them around. You may have had a hard time staying in your seat if you did. The band's unique blend of funk, punk, reggae, and pop, with burgeoning horns, foot-tapping bass and drums, undulating strings, and earworm melodies makes it impossible to sit still. Zigawhat? Let's dance!
Z$ lead singer and guitarist Zak Baker describes the band's music as "ShinySexyFunkPunkReggaePop." Other members include Leigh Baker (trumpet, vocals), Josh Aguilar (saxophone, vocals), Jamie Davis (bass, looks), Paul Taylor (drums, smiles), Nigel Albertson (guitar, vocals), and Adam Brooks (fiddle, energy).
"We sing love songs, protest songs, and songs about selfies and the human condition," says Zak. "It's kind of like hard-rock meditation music for the trans-generational, trans-dimensional every-man.. with a little bit of ska and hip-hop mixed in for fun."
The band will premiere a music video for the Her|Story track "Telephile" this weekend at a performance at Young Avenue Deli. The video was shot in full right here in Memphis. Zak says, "'Telephile' is the zigaclinical term for someone with a psychological addiction to their telephone so severe that their soul is transferred onto the cloud where they can only be accessed with reliable wifi."
From the song's lyrics: "I had an awesome thought, and all my friends, they liked it. I shared a photograph that made my mother mad. I told the world about the things I ate for breakfast, watched a video of a funny little cat... I know there is a better way, let me look it up on my phone. It says here, maybe we've lost this day, but at least we're not alone... Hold your telephone in the air and wave it like you're just not there."
Video viewers may recognize some of the Memphis locales. (Some of you may have even seen Z$ members out on the streets when they were filming.) There's a scene at High Point Pizza, some shots from the pedestrian bridge over Sam Cooper, and additional filming was done in the basement of the Hotel Pontotoc (a decommissioned, if not haunted, former hotel and brothel downtown, which Memphis magazine featured in our July 2015 issue).
The official video for "Telephile" will premiere on the big screen at Young Avenue Deli at 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 13th, followed by full live sets from both Zigadoo Moneyclips and The Incredible Hook. "Folks will recognize songs from the debut album that we've been playing around for the past year or so, but we have some fresh new tunes we'll be working in to the set as well," Zak says.
As for teaming up with The Incredible Hook for the event: "We wanted this to be a party to celebrate how excited we are to release our first video, and when I think 'party,' my mind immediately drifts to The Incredible Hook, so the co-bill was a no-brainer."
In addition to this weekend's show, you can also catch Zigadoo Moneyclips at Murphy's on Thursday, February 18th, performing with Laramie (Memphis), The Grasping Straws (NYC), and Emily Einhorn (Chicago); at the Hi-Tone on Saturday, February 20th, as part of the "Bands for Bernie" event; and on Saturday, March 5th, at the MISOMI (Musicians In Support Of the Mentally Ill) benefit. Zak adds, "Human beings should check www.zigadoomoneyclips.com for gig info, including more dates in Nashville and Knoxville."
The band's debut album Her|Story is available on bandcamp for Pay-What-You-Can. You can also check them out on Spotify, Rhapsody, iTunes, Apple Music, and YouTube. But, Zak says, "The very best way to hear us is to come see us live, because then you get to see our sexy butts, and we get to see your sexy faces (and vice versa, I'm sure)."
If you can't wait 'til Saturday to hear "Telephile," the audio-only version can be heard here:
Zigadoo Moneyclips "Telephile" premiere with full live sets from Z$ and The Incredible Hook at Young Avenue Deli, Saturday, February 13th, 10 p.m. Admission is $5 and the show is 21+.
UPDATE: WATCH "TELEPHILE" BELOW
