Revolution Zo a hip hop artist from Winston_Salem, NC later moving to Nashville, TN gathering a unique culture-based perspective of the hip hop music scene. He has been known to bring a “fresh sound in a congested era of music” also “considered to be a major competitor in breakthrough talent”, as stated in the Press Kit Release for the newly released hit single ‘Strange Thangs’ the first released single from the album. Which is in itself another welcomed addition to the bustling hip hop genre of the music industry. ‘I said a strange thangs a happen every day…’ the introduction of the song, sung with a deep ‘dirty south’ accent, giving the track an ‘old-time’ feel. A feeling that gives chills to the listener as it brought a reminder of the ‘back woods’ and ‘moonshine’ era upon the initial onset. A lone guitar is prevalent throughout the track along with piano overtures and percussion undertones to keep the rhythm.
The lyrics tell a story of sadness and struggle to stay afloat, the less fortunate under take. A common theme with a new concept! To be strong and courageous are the only alternative. Searching for work when there is none and doing whatever it takes to survive are the general topic of the track full of actual rampant occurrences that have stricken the severely poor in today’s modern world. Overall, the song “Strange Thangs” has an originality and smooth grove that you can appreciate for the amount of creativity put into it. Moreover, it gives you something ethical to think about. I truly enjoyed listening to this song and it keeps me anticipating the album release in 2015.
By Linda Dawkins
Follow Linda on Twitter! @lindadz89
Exclusive Interview with Revolution Zo
How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Revolution Zo: Long live social media right? As an independent artist me and my team are always looking for new ways to get this music I create headed in different directions, the right directions. We felt that EV had a good look to them so we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the movement.
So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Revolution Zo: My story is that of a soul in search of what he was put here on this Earth to do, still ain’t completely figured it out but through this journey I somehow manage to gather certain thoughts together and put it in the form of music – so I guess the music itself gives people my story, or at least a piece of who I am. I grew up in Winston-Salem NC also known as tre-fo – you got to live there to know the life, it’s like I miss it and don’t miss it at the same time, it’s my hometown so I’ll always have love for my city and the people there.
Alright now there’s a difference between “deciding” and being predestined to become an artist, hell even the term “artist” has been thrown around nowadays like anybody who presses a piano key or who has musical interests is labeled or labels themselves an artist . Everybody who decides to be an artist has chosen for whatever of the many reasons… You know what? I apologize. I’m getting too in depth about this – just irks me.. We’ll get into my philosophy in another interview maybe. Uhm I think I’m predestined to be artistic in some form, I’ve always had a broad imagination and music just seems to fit. Okay it’s like I suffer from “what’s that disease that Rain Man had?” Yeah Savant Syndrome and music is the only thing that calms me.
How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Revolution Zo: Great question, most people have the assumption that when I say Revolution Zo that the Revolution means to revolt or to start a movement, BUT it actually means the scientific term of revolving, revolutions per whatever… you get the picture. I’d like to think of myself as always revolving, changing in instances of my music, because I can give you happy, I can can give you pain, joy, anger etc. and you hear this throughout my music. Zo is just short of my birth name Lorenzo, and plus when I introduce myself to people they usually end up calling me Zo. Great question.
What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Revolution Zo: Personally I think it’s overrated and it makes it difficult for people to find the best unfound music that’s out there, it’s a very congested platform. However you have to be a player in the field so we attempt to get our feet wet in that category. I try to steer away from giving out free music because I’ve found that fans will pay for great music, but I enjoy being able to do dope things for people who support what I’m doing, like with the “Strange Thangs” campaign we were giving away free downloads to people that shared the music on social media, it was a huge success. Thank you guys.
Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Revolution Zo: Ha yeah, watch Glengarry Glen Ross. Nah but any advice I could give to someone I’d have to first give to myself, I haven’t perfected the whole navigation but all I can say is be original, develop a brand and be prepared for everything and anything.
Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Revolution Zo: I think the only mistakes I’ve made when performing shows was not getting paid for gigs, also sound guys can make you or destroy you. That has all changed, now I have a strong team and we make sure that we treat this as a business first and foremost.
Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Revolution Zo: We’re setting up a tour for next year in a few cities, we can’t give out details though, you’d just have to stay posted. You know something that I find interesting is meeting and interacting with people when I’m doing shows, I feed off the crowds energy and it’s always a great experience getting support and seeing reactions to those who aren’t familiar with my music.
Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Revolution Zo: I believe I have a.. I guess you can call it a disadvantage when it comes to songwriting because I’m also a producer. I’ll turn one of my many emotions into a way for you to listen to it in the form of an instrumental – The process can take days, weeks even months, for some reason with me it usually happens around 3AM, that’s when my creativity process stirs. I can’t really give you the science to my songwriting abilities, just know it took a very long time for me to get where I’m at now in that area. I find it amazing how my mind transforms a music idea into a finished product, there have been failures to where I’ve spent hours putting something together and then I’ll just throw it in the vault -I have so much music I’m just holding on to it’s kind of ridiculous.
Do you have a band website?
Revolution Zo: www.revolutionzo.com is the official website, there you can get the latest updates on music releases, tour dates – pretty much everything that pertains to this alter ego. I’m on all of your major social media sites, search revolutionzo and I’m usually there.
What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Revolution Zo: You know what’s embarrassing? Me telling you that I don’t keep songs on my mp3 player, only productions and music that I’m working on. I grew up in the Album and Compact Disc era so I’m a little bit of a vintage soul – I like to dig through cases in search of a good listen. HOWEVER I guess that people would find me strange if you went through my collection and found some Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, or maybe Queen, well… maybe not Queen. Those guys are awesome.
If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Revolution Zo: I’d like to think of myself as an activist – so anything that I could do in order to raise positive awareness while also making a profitable margin to start another campaign in other areas. Off the top of my head like raise an awareness about the homeless issue in the world by starting a reality show to show how we can help individuals get back on their feet with the right tools- give them a better life. We have serious things going on in the world and I think it’s being overlooked by complete ignorance and the power of the dollar – When did it take money to make the world better? Anyway with that said it wouldn’t look like a year vacation is in my future. I just want to change the world somehow.
Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Revolution Zo: Oh I don’t do home studios, I only record in a few selected professional studios.. I have my favorites. That’s probably one of the best perks about my creative process is after I’ve taken some time to put tracks together, me and my team can take a day to come together and spend half a day or night recording etc. like I said I have my favorites and I think that’s one of the benefits of being a recording artist – that’s my “get out of myself time”.
How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Revolution Zo: We have a saying on our team… Physical. Digital. Individual. It feels good when a website wants to review your music and critique you as an artist, but we try to reach out to all media, and whenever we’re out we promote. It all works for us
If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Revolution Zo: It would have to be Kanye West. Not because he’s an icon or because of his status as a leader in the industry – I just respect his musical artform, and I’d like to believe we may have similarities in the creative chemistry of performance. I’ve never been or seen his concerts, but I know he’s a.. we share similarities.. When I make music I want you to envision at my shows what goes on in my mind when I say these things. I make you relate because I know you’ll relate. I’d imagine he thinks the same.
Yeezy…
So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Revolution Zo: That I can talk about..Other than the album in 2015 we’re debating on bringing out another official single in the beginning of next year. We have a visual that we’re working on right now with Gigantic Sky – should be pretty dope.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Revolution Zo: Taking anti-depression pills, going to counseling 5 days a week, trying to refrain from doing anything harmful to myself or others. Beautiful right?
Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Revolution Zo: Nas “I Am” was the actual first album I ever went into a store and bought, I must’ve listened to that album 24/7 for a week. When I was buying it the one thing that was going through my head was I hope this guy doesn’t try to give me crap about being too young to buy this album. He was cool though, Nas was definitely an influence.
How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Revolution Zo: To be honest with you EV, I honestly couldn’t tell you how I manage. All I know is there aren’t enough hours in the day and no matter what my music will be here, even when I’m gone.
What should fans look forward too for the rest of 2014 and beyond?
Revolution Zo: They should be looking forward to Revolution Zo..
Planet RED
