Zebra & Giraffe in motion

What was it like recording your latest EP in San Francisco with Cian Riordan?

It was honestly one of the best experiences we've ever had as a band. Personally, it's something I've always dreamed of doing, so I'm glad I got to do it. Cian was great to work with - we got on really well and he's become a good friend. As for the actual studio, well it was pretty insane - it had some of the best vintage gear in the world and also looked over the bay at Stinson Beach. Waking up every morning to that view was really inspiring and something I won't soon forget!

Did you check out or play the music scene when you were there?

No, unfortunately you need a whole different type of visa if you actually want to perform there, so we just stuck to recording. We did spend a week in LA and San Diego and got to catch the band Steel Panther at the famous House Of Blues. They're like an 80s hair-metal parody band - amazingly talented, ridiculously funny and insanely crude!

The new EP has quite a diverse sound. Do you have a particular favourite track at the moment?

Yeah it's very diverse - because we were working with someone new we wanted to experiment a bit and try some new things. I think my favourite track has always been Redefine. It's very raw and powerful. We had the most fun recording it and I think that comes through.

Can you explain the concept behind the music video for It's All The Same?

We initially planned on doing a road trip romance-style video, but decided that the concept was a bit too overdone. We got in contact with Elsa Bleda, who is a Turkish visual artist living in SA and got her on board to help adapt the concept to a train trip. Elsa has travelled extensively on trains across SA and the Mediterranean, so she was a massive help. We hired actor Adam Heyns to star alongside Elsa and the video narrative follows their story as a couple who fall in love and travel on trains across the country. Everything eventually falls apart when she realises that he's done this kind of thing with many other woman before.

If the EP could be described as a meal what would it be and why?

I think you asked me this last time and I said a tasting menu! I feel the same way about this EP. Every song is so different and stands on its own - I feel like a five-course tasting menu is appropriate!

Which local artists are you currently excited about?

On the last track of the EP we collaborated with newcomer Ruby Gill. She is amazingly talented and someone to look out for in the near future. I also dig Werner Olcker's (Wrestlerish) new project called Art Snakes and a band from Cape Town called Cute Couple.

Any New Year's resolutions for 2016?

Nah, I stopped doing New Year's resolutions because I never stuck to them. I guess generally the idea is to be happy and keep doing things I love.

What's next for Z&G?

We're just focussing on rolling out the new EP over the course of the next few months. We'll see what 2016 holds when we get there ...

Slow Motion is available for download via iTunes

www.zebraandgiraffe.co.za

Forthcoming Shows:

• 2 December - Pop Art Theatre (Maboneng, JHB) Acoustic (with Ruby Gill)
  
• 3 December - Pop Art Theatre (Maboneng, JHB) Acoustic (with Ruby Gill)
  
• 4 December - Rumours (West Rand, JHB)
  
• 5 December - Sundowners (Alberton, JHB)