Zero 7
Encyclopedia
Zero 7 is a British musical duo consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. The group members began their musical careers as studio engineers and in 1997 formed the group Zero 7. Their debut album, Simple Things
was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim. Subsequent albums include: When It Falls
, The Garden
and Yeah Ghost
.
, Binns and Hardaker began their careers in the music industry in the 1990s at Mickie Most
's RAK
recording studio in London, engineering music for British groups like the Pet Shop Boys
, Young Disciples
and Robert Plant
. In 1997 they created a remix
of the song "Climbing Up the Walls" by Radiohead
, and Binns received a credit for additional sampling on Kid A
. The pair also remixed Terry Callier
's "Love Theme From Spartacus" and songs by Lenny Kravitz
, Sneaker Pimps
and Lambchop
.
In 1999, they released an EP
of original material called EP1, under the name Zero 7. In 2001, they released their debut album, Simple Things which featured collaborations with vocalists Mozez
, Sia Furler
, and Sophie Barker
. The album became a gold record and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and won the "Best Newcomer" Muzik
Award. Live appearances after the album's release consisted of Binns and Hardaker, vocalists and other musicians, with as many as 20 performers on stage at once.
In 2002, Zero 7 released a DJ mix album
for Azuli Records
' Late Night Tales|Another Late Night series, which featured various hip hop
and chill out artists and a cover of Johnny Osbourne's "Truth & Rights".
In 2004, they released their second album, When It Falls
. In addition to the three vocalists from their first album, it featured a collaboration with Danish singer-songwriter Tina Dico
. That same year, Binns co-wrote the Emma Bunton
track "Breathing".
Zero 7 released their third album, The Garden
, in May 2006. The two vocalists featured on the album were Sia Furler
, and José González
. Henry Binns also sang on the album. The name of the album is derived from the cover art, which is a collection of collages done by an artist friend.
In 2007 Binns and Hardaker created a band called Ingrid Eto, which has been described as a Zero 7 instrumental project. The band also released an EP under the alias of Kling (which like Ingrid Eto was an experimental instrumental project). The tracks from Kling EP were later incorporated into Zero 7's fourth album Yeah Ghost
. The album incorporated jazz and soul singer, Eska Mtungwazi, as well as folk artist Martha Tilston
.
In 2010, the duo released a retrospective compilation album entitled Record
. A two-disc special edition of "Record" also contains exclusive remixes of notable songs from all four of their prior released studio albums.
, Raising Helen
, Smallville
, Roswell
, Obsessed
, I'm With Lucy
), "Give It Away" (Top Gear, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
), "Polaris" (Sex and the City
), "Pop Art Blue" "Waterloo Road
", "In The Waiting Line" (Garden State
, Sex and the City
, House
and Numb3rs
).
Their song "Destiny" has appeared on the Lacoste website, SkyTV's broadcast of the Star Wars Saga and commercial. The song "In The Waiting Line" has appeared in a 2006 HBO ad, NBC
's profile of Olympic
Swimmer Laure Manaudou
, Fox TV
's 2009 season of House
, the movie "Garden State", and is sampled in the hip hop song song "Nothing Iz Real" by Termanology
.
Songs by Zero 7 have also appeared on the lounge music compilations The Chillout Project
by Filipino
DJ Anton Ramos, and the Hôtel Costes
. The song "Lo" was featured on Layo and Bushwacka!.
Simple Things (Zero 7 album)
-Singles:The following singles were released from the album:...
was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim. Subsequent albums include: When It Falls
When It Falls
-Singles:The following singles were released from the album:- External links :**...
, The Garden
The Garden (Zero 7 album)
The Garden is Zero 7's third studio album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2006, and in the United States on 6 June 2006....
and Yeah Ghost
Yeah Ghost
Yeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by Eska Mtungwazi , Martha Tilston , Binki Shapiro , Rowdy Superstar , and Binns himself Yeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by...
.
History
After studying sound engineeringAudio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, Binns and Hardaker began their careers in the music industry in the 1990s at Mickie Most
Mickie Most
Mickie Most was an English record producer, with a string of hit singles with acts such as The Animals, Arrows, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group often issued on his own RAK Records label....
's RAK
RAK Records
Rak Records was a British record label, founded by record producer Mickie Most in 1969. Rak was home of artists like Herman's Hermits, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Kenny, Hot Chocolate, Smokie, Arrows, Span, Racey and Kim Wilde. Rak Records were distributed via a licensing deal with EMI, which bought the...
recording studio in London, engineering music for British groups like the Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
, Young Disciples
Young Disciples
Young Disciples was a British / American acid jazz band, formed in London in 1990 by Carleen Anderson , Marc Nelson plus Femi Williams ....
and Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
. In 1997 they created a remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the song "Climbing Up the Walls" by Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, and Binns received a credit for additional sampling on Kid A
Kid A
Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released in October 2000 by the Parlophone label. A commercial success worldwide, Kid A went platinum in its first week of release in the United Kingdom. Despite the lack of an official single or music video as publicity, Kid A...
. The pair also remixed Terry Callier
Terry Callier
Terrence O. Callier, known as Terry Callier is an American jazz, soul and folk guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Life and career:...
's "Love Theme From Spartacus" and songs by Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
, Sneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps were a British trip-hop band formed in Hartlepool, England in 1994. They are best known for their first album Becoming X and particularly the singles "6 Underground", "Spin Spin Sugar", and "Tesko Suicide" from the same album...
and Lambchop
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
.
In 1999, they released an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
of original material called EP1, under the name Zero 7. In 2001, they released their debut album, Simple Things which featured collaborations with vocalists Mozez
Mozez
Osmond Wright, better known by his stage name Mozez, is a Jamaican born London-based soul singer and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as a singer for British downtempo group Zero 7, although he has been working solo since 2005 when his debut album was released.Mozez began singing at an early...
, Sia Furler
Sia Furler
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler or simply Sia, is an Australian pop, downtempo, and jazz singer and songwriter. In 2000, her single, "Taken for Granted" was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. Her 2008 album, Some People Have Real Problems peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard 200...
, and Sophie Barker
Sophie Barker
Sophie Barker is a British singer from London, best known for her work with the British downtempo group Zero 7. Sophie left University College London after two years to become a full-time singer, signing with Sony Records. She is the co-writer of the band's biggest hit, "Destiny", and sings the...
. The album became a gold record and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and won the "Best Newcomer" Muzik
Muzik
Muzik was a UK dance music magazine published by IPC Media from June 1995 to August 2003.Muzik was created by two former Melody Maker journalists, Push and Ben Turner. Push was the editor of Muzik from its launch until he left the magazine in 1998, at which point Turner took over as editor...
Award. Live appearances after the album's release consisted of Binns and Hardaker, vocalists and other musicians, with as many as 20 performers on stage at once.
In 2002, Zero 7 released a DJ mix album
DJ mix
A DJ mix or DJ mixset is a sequence of musical tracks typically mixed together to appear as one continuous track. When a DJ mix or DJ mixset is recorded onto some medium, it is often referred to as a mix tape...
for Azuli Records
Azuli Records
Azuli Records is an independent record label, focusing mainly on house music and other forms of electronic dance music. The label was founded by DJ Dave Piccioni in London, UK in 1991 and went into liquidation in April 2009. It's assets were sold to Phoenix Music International Ltd...
' Late Night Tales|Another Late Night series, which featured various hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and chill out artists and a cover of Johnny Osbourne's "Truth & Rights".
In 2004, they released their second album, When It Falls
When It Falls
-Singles:The following singles were released from the album:- External links :**...
. In addition to the three vocalists from their first album, it featured a collaboration with Danish singer-songwriter Tina Dico
Tina Dico
Tina Dico is a singer and songwriter inspired by artists such as Tracy Chapman, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.In Denmark she performs under her real name, Tina Dickow.- Beginnings :...
. That same year, Binns co-wrote the Emma Bunton
Emma Bunton
Emma Lee Bunton is an English pop singer/songwriter and TV and radio presenter. She was a member of the 1990s girl group, the Spice Girls, in which she was known as Baby Spice as she was the youngest member. In 2010, she joined the judging panel on ITV's Dancing on Ice...
track "Breathing".
Zero 7 released their third album, The Garden
The Garden (Zero 7 album)
The Garden is Zero 7's third studio album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2006, and in the United States on 6 June 2006....
, in May 2006. The two vocalists featured on the album were Sia Furler
Sia Furler
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler or simply Sia, is an Australian pop, downtempo, and jazz singer and songwriter. In 2000, her single, "Taken for Granted" was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. Her 2008 album, Some People Have Real Problems peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard 200...
, and José González
José González
José González is a Swedish-Argentine indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, Sweden.González is also a member of Swedish band Junip, along with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn.- Biography :...
. Henry Binns also sang on the album. The name of the album is derived from the cover art, which is a collection of collages done by an artist friend.
In 2007 Binns and Hardaker created a band called Ingrid Eto, which has been described as a Zero 7 instrumental project. The band also released an EP under the alias of Kling (which like Ingrid Eto was an experimental instrumental project). The tracks from Kling EP were later incorporated into Zero 7's fourth album Yeah Ghost
Yeah Ghost
Yeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by Eska Mtungwazi , Martha Tilston , Binki Shapiro , Rowdy Superstar , and Binns himself Yeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by...
. The album incorporated jazz and soul singer, Eska Mtungwazi, as well as folk artist Martha Tilston
Martha Tilston
- Biography :Martha Tilston is the daughter of singer-songwriter Steve Tilston and stepdaughter of Irish folk performer Maggie Boyle. Trained as an artist and dramatist, she began her musical career in 2000 as an active presence in Britain's alternative festival scene, particularly as part of the...
.
In 2010, the duo released a retrospective compilation album entitled Record
Record (Zero 7 album)
Record, sometimes referred as Record: The Best of Zero 7, is a compilation album by British musical duo Zero 7, released on 28 June 2010. The compilation contains material from the duo's first four studio albums...
. A two-disc special edition of "Record" also contains exclusive remixes of notable songs from all four of their prior released studio albums.
Reception
The duo's songs have appeared in many films and television shows such as Blue CrushBlue Crush
Blue Crush is a 2002 surfer film directed by John Stockwell and based on the Outside magazine article "Life's Swell" by Susan Orlean. Starring Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake, and Mika Boorem, it tells the story of three friends who have one passion: living the ultimate dream of...
, Raising Helen
Raising Helen
Raising Helen is a 2004 American comedy-drama film directed by Garry Marshall and written by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler. It stars Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Hayden Panettiere, Spencer and his sister Abigail Breslin and Helen Mirren...
, Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
, Roswell
Roswell (TV series)
Roswell is an American science fiction television series developed, produced, and co-written by Jason Katims. The series debuted on October 6, 1999 on The WB and moved to UPN for the third season. The last episode aired May 14, 2002...
, Obsessed
Obsessed (2009 film)
Obsessed is a 2009 American thriller film directed by Steve Shill. The Screen Gems production stars Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles and Ali Larter...
, I'm With Lucy
I'm With Lucy
I'm With Lucy is a 2002 romantic comedy starring Monica Potter in the title role, with Henry Thomas, David Boreanaz, Anthony LaPaglia, Harold Ramis, Julie Christie and John Hannah.- Plot :...
), "Give It Away" (Top Gear, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
), "Polaris" (Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
), "Pop Art Blue" "Waterloo Road
Waterloo Road (TV series)
Waterloo Road is an award-winning British television drama series, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 9 March 2006. Set in a troubled comprehensive school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, the series focuses on the lives of the school's teacher and students, and confronts social...
", "In The Waiting Line" (Garden State
Garden State (film)
Garden State is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff, with Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sir Ian Holm. The film centers on Andrew Largeman , a 26-year-old actor/waiter who returns to his hometown in New Jersey after his mother dies...
, Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
, House
House (TV series)
House is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
and Numb3rs
NUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
).
Their song "Destiny" has appeared on the Lacoste website, SkyTV's broadcast of the Star Wars Saga and commercial. The song "In The Waiting Line" has appeared in a 2006 HBO ad, NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's profile of Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Swimmer Laure Manaudou
Laure Manaudou
Laure Manaudou |Rhône]]) is a French Olympic, world and European champion swimmer. She is the daughter of a French father and a Dutch mother.- 2004 Olympics :...
, Fox TV
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's 2009 season of House
House (TV series)
House is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
, the movie "Garden State", and is sampled in the hip hop song song "Nothing Iz Real" by Termanology
Termanology
Daniel Carrillo , better known as Termanology is a rapper from Lawrence, Massachusetts. He first came to wide attention with the 2006 single "Watch How It Go Down". A solo album, Politics As Usual, was released in 2008...
.
Songs by Zero 7 have also appeared on the lounge music compilations The Chillout Project
The Chillout Project
The Chillout Project is a series of compilations featuring house, downtempo, and lounge music by various artists compiled and produced by Anton Ramos....
by Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
DJ Anton Ramos, and the Hôtel Costes
Hôtel Costes
The Hôtel Costes is a famous hotel in Paris, France. Located in 239 rue St-Honoré, it is perhaps best known for its bar and courtyard café.The hotel was commissioned by the Costes brothers to the designer and architect Jacques Garcia in 1991...
. The song "Lo" was featured on Layo and Bushwacka!.
Studio albums
- Simple ThingsSimple Things (Zero 7 album)-Singles:The following singles were released from the album:...
(2001) - When It FallsWhen It Falls-Singles:The following singles were released from the album:- External links :**...
(2004) - The GardenThe Garden (Zero 7 album)The Garden is Zero 7's third studio album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2006, and in the United States on 6 June 2006....
(2006) - Yeah GhostYeah GhostYeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by Eska Mtungwazi , Martha Tilston , Binki Shapiro , Rowdy Superstar , and Binns himself Yeah Ghost is the fourth studio album by Zero 7, released in September 2009. The album features vocals by...
(2009)
Other albums
- Another Late NightAnother Late Night: Zero 7-Single:"Truth And Rights" was released as a single to promote the album in 2002.*UK 7" single ALN704#"Truth And Rights"#"Truth And Rights "...
(2002) - Simple Things RemixesSimple Things RemixesSimple Things Remixes is a remix album by Zero 7, released only in the United States. It features mixes of tracks from their first album, Simple Things and an enhanced music video for the 2001 single "Destiny".-Track listing:...
(2002) - RecordRecord (Zero 7 album)Record, sometimes referred as Record: The Best of Zero 7, is a compilation album by British musical duo Zero 7, released on 28 June 2010. The compilation contains material from the duo's first four studio albums...
(2010)
Awards
- Nominated for Best British Newcomer at the Brit Awards 2002.
- Nominated for a 2007 Grammy AwardGrammy Awards of 2007The 49th Annual Grammy Awards was a ceremony honoring the best in music for the recording year beginning September 15, 2005 and ending September 14, 2006 in the United States. The awards were handed out on Sunday February 11, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dixie Chicks...
for The Garden in the category Best Electronic/Dance Album
External links
- Official website
- Official Sia Furler website
- About Sia Furler, Sophie Barker and Tina Dico, including photos and multimedia
- 2006 Interview with Sam Hardaker
- Remix magazine cover story on the making of The Garden (June 2006)
- Remix magazine feature on the making of When It Falls (April 2004)
- Zero 7 at Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
- 2006 The Telegraph India interview with Henry Binns
- Video for song "Destiny" on YouTube
- Information at Stereogum regarding fourth album and release date.
- Stereo Subversion Interview with Sam Hardaker (2009)