Zennith Poet A Rhymer Interview

Zennith Poet A Rhymer Interview

Embracing their hip-hop reggae roots, Kuranda's dynamic family-founded outfit Zennith are back with a new single – six years after their last release. Poet A Rhymer is the sound the band always set out to create, a dancehall anthem with beat-laden rap and a rhythmic undertone, interwoven with some mean guitar licks. Although it is more than half a decade since their last official release, Zennith haven't been sitting idle, the band's lifeblood, the Brims – Astro, Aden and Willie – have been working solidly on new material and continuing their hard-work approach. Now, with the official release of their new single at last weekend's Island Vibe Festival, Zennith are back and with a track like Poet A Rhymer, it will be hard to miss them.

Harking from the Tropics in North Queensland, Zennith smashed into the spotlight on the national music scene with their 2007 EP I Like It, something that was cemented with their debut long-player Nothin' To Lose in 2010. The album saw them garnering new fans from around the country and securing performance slots on Bluesfest and Splendour In The Grass. Fast forward six years and Zennith has a new line-up – with the ever-present core of the Brim brothers and their father Willie – and a tight sound that can only come from consistently playing live. They've been on the local tour and Far North festival circuit non-stop, testing out new material, finding their musical chemistry and gearing up for their next release.

It isn't hard to understand why Zennith are so revered. Based in the heart of Bullwai country, they proudly promote their Indigenous heritage, melding their sound with an acute sensibility and creating a soundtrack of Australia. They take their responsibility of sharing their culture seriously, so it isn't surprising to find that music-fans from all walks of life resonate with their music. They aren't resolutely focused on pushing a political message; their music embodies all facets of life – love, respect, family, relationships, hardships and above all, the connection fostered through music.

For the Brims, the timing just fell into place for Poet A Rhymer. 'It just feels right," says Astro. 'We spent the last three years jamming with other people and now we have our crew. We knew for a long time what we had been wanting to release and record. Poet A Rhymer has always received a good response at festivals. The film clip was a great way to show the unity between cultures and where we came from."

The clip – filmed with production company The Wild Above – speaks right the heart of what Zennith is all about. Showcasing different cultures, bonding together, under Tropical North Queensland rainforest skies, it not only illustrates the laid-back atmosphere of the Far North region, but the effortless rapport the group has with one another. The imagery is vivid, breathtaking and has the indelible imprint of the Bullwai people.

When it came to penning the song – and the many that will make up the track-listing of Zennith's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled EP (slated for release in early 2017) – it was a collaborative affair. 'Dad [Willie] came up with the groove," says Astro. 'I came with the chorus – then it was a collective input from all. We were inspired by our previous work and wanted to connect back to that hip-hop reggae groove – Zennith's trademark sound."

The lyrical content is all about the groove and Aden was inspired by that, watching dancers up in the Cape and being impressed by how well they combined traditional dancing with hip-hop. The track was recorded with revered producer / engineer Nigel Pegrum (Seaman Dan, The McMenamins) at Pegasus Studios in Cairns, and mixed at Tanuki Lounge by PaulieB. The sound was exactly what the Brims envisioned.

'We are a lot more mature now," says Astro. 'It was all new to us at the start, we were really young. We just jumped on the ride and touring really broadened our mind. We are starting to create our own brand of sound – our own trademark groove. We are a lot more grounded now and a lot more -together'. We know that less is more in the sound. We know what songs we want to release and what groove we want to play."

In addition to the maturity, the sound is really polished – it is evident from even the first listen that the band have been honing their craft for years, and are all exceptional musicians within their own right. The time between recordings – and the line-up changes – have changed the zeitgeist of Zennith and positioned them in the direction they always wanted to take. This is the band they set out to be way back in 2007 and there is no doubt, the time is now for these hip-hop reggae rainforest warriors!

Interview with Astro Brim

Question: How would you describe Poet A Rhymer?

Astro Brim: Poet A Rhymer is a bit of a mash up of a couple of different genres we have been working with. It's not strictly reggae or hip-hop however you can still hear both those elements. It all came together naturally. Dad, Aden and I came up with the initial groove. I wrote the chorus and first verse and then Aden wrote a second verse and Zami wrote the third. It's got a solid beat with some deadly lead guitar rifts and funky brass sections. It's a catchy tune.


Question: Can you tell us about filming the video for Poet A Rhymer?

Astro Brim: We collaborated with a friend Kyle from The Wild Above who filmed and produced this clip. We invited friends and family and chose a few special locations out on country near Kuranda. At one location we set our instruments up inside the giant Clohesy River Figtree. We really wanted to capture the beauty of where we come from and the cultural diversity and unity within our community. The clip features 3 cultural elders. My father Willie who is a Bulwai elder, Uncle Kapua, a Torres Strait elder and Quetzal, a Mayan elder. Together they show a strong ancient cultural connection which I feel was captured beautifully.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Astro Brim: Yes I do write my own songs. I use music as a channel to be able to express what I see and feel. What inspires me is my journey in life and the challenges I face.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Astro Brim: I listen to all types of music. I've gone through different stages in my life listening to different artists and styles but I have a strong connection to Reggae music. I can really relate to it and its messages.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Astro Brim: We will be releasing an EP in 2017 and hoping to tour as well. We have a lot of material we want to share and get out there.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Astro Brim: Yes, there's been moments when the road gets a bit rocky where you want to pull up but the road always smooths out. Music is healing for me and is a big part of my life.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Astro Brim: I like both but I am more hungry to record these days.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Astro Brim: I was born around music. I grew up listening and watching my father's band Mantaka in the 80's. My Dad - Willie Brim has been a big inspiration. I started playing drums for his band when I was about 12 and got the taste for it. There was always a guitar or some type of instrument around the house. So I'd just pick it up and start playing it. I never learnt how to read music. I just play by ear. Growing up in Kuranda we always had different bands and musicians performing at the Kuranda Amphitheatre as it was the main venue for Far North Queensland. So I was inspired by all of this.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Astro Brim: It's always a challenge in this industry. We've had some ups and downs and the challenges are forever changing.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Astro Brim: Well I live in Kuranda in Far North Queensland. Our place is in the rainforest so it's very quiet and peaceful here. A typical day would involve family time in the morning, work time during the day and jam time in the evening. It's pretty laid back up here.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?
Astro Brim: My favourite part would probably be that I get to travel and experience new places and also meeting different artists. We have played at many festivals around the country and a couple in the pacific. I really enjoy being on the road.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Astro Brim: There's many artists I would like to collaborate with but recently we got to hang out and connect and share some of our cultural songlines with reggae legends Steel Pulse. I would love to collaborate with them and put some rhythms down on a track.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Astro Brim: Yes our website is http://www.zennithband.com.au/


Question: What message would you like to say to your fans?

Astro Brim: I would like to thank our loyal fans for all their support and encouragement throughout our career. And keep an eye out. There's a lot more coming from the Zennith family and crew.


Question: What is the story behind the band's name?

Astro Brim: Zennith means the highest point or state. The pinnacle or peak. I had the name for a while and I liked the meaning . Aden was starting a band and asked me if he could use it for his band name. I said yeah, on one condition. If I can sing with you ….And 10 years later here we are still keeping the fire burning.


Interview by Brooke Hunter