Cam Lee Zoophyte Interview

Album: Another Point of View
Single: Believe

Zoophyte's eclectic blend of roots, funk and rock has seen their emergence as one of the most progressive, exciting bands to evolve from Melbourne's burgeoning indie scene. Their latest CD Another Point of View is hands down their best, showcasing the funkin' rockin' sound that audiences all around Australia are growing to love and highlighting Zoophyte's flair for fusing lilting bluesy ballads, funky horn laden toe-tappers and balls-out guitar tracks!

Zoophyte is Cam Lee (vox, 6 & 12 string guitar,didge, percussion), James Johnson (guitar), Andrew Gilpin (bass), James Majernik (drums) and occasional guest Andy Lee (vox, trumpet).

Another Point of View features 7 shiny new studio tracks and 1 unbelievably groovalicious live track, Money, which was recorded at the magnificent Gershwin Room at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel. The CD features guest performances by Zoophyte mates including Nicky Bomba, Jaimi Faulkner and Bonjahbango and was mastered at Crystal Mastering by John Ruberto. Keep an ear out for Believe, coming soon to a radio station near you!

Another Point of View has been picked up by the Dust Devil Music record label (home of The Icecream Hands, Ben Smith Band, Airway Lanes & Blackchords) and is distributed by Stomp.

Believe has already picked up radio airplay on Triple J, Radio Adelaide, PBSFM (CD of the week), Triple R, FBI, 4ZZZ and FOX FM and FOX is running an interview segment with the band and the new songs which will be syndicated nationally around Australia starting on Sunday 29th of July!

Press quotes for Another Point of View and Zoophyte:
"Here is a cd that demands to be heard, a cd of rare quality in an age when technology has overtaken talent. Listen once and it will stay in your player and with every listen you will discover more about where Zoophyte want us to be taken. Listen and you too will feel Zoophyte in your soul." Peter Merrit -PBSFM

"Zoophyte know how to build a song in grandiose bits and parts, using every piece of their rhythm section, horns, guitars, voice and didgeridoo to make a complex swagger of orchestral roots." Beat

"With the buzz rapidly spreading to all stations and industry heavyweights, these super friendly lads could just be the freshest taste on the menu this year" Inpress

"One of the more progressive, exciting bands to emerge from Melbourne's burgeoning indie scene" Herald Sun

"The (album) impresses from start to finish. Zoophyte blairingly stand out from their slew of contemporaries" Time Off

"No matter if you're a fan of funk, roots, groove or rock, Zoophyte has it all. The different musical backgrounds of the band's members makes for an eclectic mix of upbeat party tunes and sounds..." Central Coast Express Advocate

Hometown: Melbourne
Website: www.zoophyteband.com

Cam Lee Zoophyte Interview

 1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?
It’s a pretty amazing feeling especially after spending the best part of the year working on the album. The journey a song takes from an initial idea, to being worked and re-worked, then recorded and produced can be a long one. To be lucky enough to hear it on the radio is very satisfying. I suppose the buzz can be liken to parachuting from a cliff jump and landing cleanly on a pontoon only 2 metres wide, floating in shark infested water. While this joy would be short lived after realizing you’re marooned at sea with no way of escaping the man eating sharks and without food or water, the initial excitement and joy would be the same...I think!

2. Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?
Not really. Music is something I sort of fell into without too much knowledge of the industry and how it works. It was more of a hobby in the beginning, playing acoustic covers with my brother Andy and Judd (current guitarist) in pubs around Melbourne. It just grew from there I suppose. All I really knew was that it was a great way to get some free beers and make little pocket money!

3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?
Our inspiration generally comes from life experiences and the people that surround us. Most of our songs are about people or circumstance.

4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?
I listen to all sorts of music but bands like Kings of Leon, Gomez, Kasabian, John Butler, G Love get a lot of regular play. I do have the Billy Ray Cyrus 1992 album "Some Gave All" but that only comes out once a year for an Achy Breaky night of dickhead dancing and mullet fury!

5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?
We released our latest Album ‘Another Point Of View’ back at the end of July 2007 and have been on the road touring Australia non stop for the last 7 months. We’re looking to take a bit of time off in January and then get back together in Feb to start writing and working songs for a new Album.

6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
Throwing in the towel has never really crossed my mind, but I suppose that is because this band has been my love and joy, something I’ve created and built over the last 4 years. I’m sure some of the other band members have had their moments. It can be a tough and cruel industry requiring a lot of hard work and many hours for little financial reward. For those of us in the band who are getting a little older, this can start to play on your mind.

7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?
Recording an album is an amazing process. The sense of having no boundaries, exploring different sounds and creating something from nothing is exciting and can be very soul searching. Having said that I probably prefer playing live and connecting with an audience. It’s one thing to write and record songs but to have people listen to your music and be inspired by it is pretty special.

8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
I didn’t specifically have one individual or event that inspired me to enter the industry, as stated earlier it was something that I just found myself involved in and enjoying. Watching live performances from small local acts and big international bands and wanting to be onstage doing what they do has pushed me along the way.

9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?
Keeping it all together and finding musicians that all get along and have a similar musical mind set and passion. There is nothing worse than spending 7 hours in a mini van then sharing a small room later that night with someone who really pisses you off. I’m very lucky that I’m involved in a group that all get along really well and enjoy spending time together. Judd can be a grumpy ass at times though, but that just provides us with comic relief and a source for constant niggle!

10. What's a typical day like?
Depends on what is happening. The last 7 months since May have been spent on the road so a normal day would be waking late morning, bus ride to next venue, sound check, have a look around town if there’s time, play gig, party a little and wake up late the next morning to do it all again. A bit like ground hog day! When we’re not on the road, we’re back in Melbourne working on songs and planning the next trip or big gig. We rehearse about 3 times a week and individually work songs in between. Recording and mixing is a different process again, sometimes requiring 16 hour days for as long as the process takes.

11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?
It would have to be touring Australia meeting new people and seeing new places, plus the process of song writing and the journey a song takes. That and the fact that it keeps me from having to work a full time office job!

12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
If it was that one day a year when that mullet wig was on it would have to be Billy Ray Cyrus! Otherwise it would be Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) or Ian Ball (Gomez).

13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?
Recently...Yes. Someone who can have a good laugh and is outgoing.

14. Do you have a website fans can visit?
You can check the latest news and tour dates at www.zoophyteband.com or www.myspace.com/zoophyteband.

15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?
Laughter, exercise, good food, music and a membership card to Campbells Cash and Carry.

16. What message would you like to say to your fans?
Be sure to follow your dreams and never for a second get bogged down doing things you don’t like doing.

17. What is the story behind the bands name?
It was actually given to us by a chef down in Geelong when we played a gig in the early days as a band with no name. Barry I think his name was, took it upon himself to write the band names on the chalk board out the front of the venue and when the band name was unknown he’d make one up. We turned up thinking the gig had been double booked but no... we had just been issued with our new name, and Zoophyte has stuck ever since. It is actually a scientific term for a animal that resembles a plant and the correct pronunciation is "zoa-fight", but we’re not scientists and we pronounce it "zoo-fight". I suppose that’s creative license for ya!

60 Second Quiz

Full Name: Cam Lee
Nickname(s): Cama (Very Original...I know!!!)
Star Sign: Aries
Music Talent: Guitar / Didge / Vocals
Favorite Food: Mum’s meat and Noodles (Variation on Spag Bol!)
Favorite Film: Stand By Me...old school classic that never gets boring!
Favorite Actor: Edward Norton
Pet: Never had one
Describe yourself in 3 words: Tall, easy going, dag
Best Feature: Definitely not my ability to grow chest hair...very patchy!
Worst Feature: Bit of a control freak
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Kevin Bacon...I’ve always wanted to learn the dance moves to footloose!
Hobbies/Interests: Music, Sports (pretty much anything) and Design (Graphic design and Web Design)
First Job: Drug Mule (Local Chemist Round After School)
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: Pubs and Bars.
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: Ipod
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Where’s the snooze button?