From the depths of the South American electronica music scene emerges ZZK Records for another North American tour. The label’s only live act, Tremor, El Remolon, Chancha via Circuito and El G are scheduled to make a stop in Detroit July 26 at PJ’s Lager House, located at 1254 Michigan Ave.
Armed with ever-expanding sounds, a new array of artists and a larger tour, ZZK founder Grant Dull, aka El G, is optimistic about the new tour after just finishing one in Europe.
“It’s been very successful. Each time around we have better crowds, better shows, better venues,” he said
The shows have been hit-and-miss in terms of audience turnout, Dull said, but he has a good feeling future shows in the U.S. will live up to his expectations.
Dull started ZZK out of the Zizen Urban Beats Club in Buenos Aires with his two Argentinean partners Villa Diamante and DJ Nim.
He described the essence of ZZK records as “a party focusing on local producers and local sounds.”
Since they deal strictly with local talent, ZZK is unique for Buenos Aires. He said the U.S. has a more competitive music industry than Argentina.
“Buenos Aires has a thriving scene but nothing like NYC or LA or even Austin,” he said.
Their sound is called “Cumbia Digital,” infusing rhythmic beats of Cumbia tribal music with electronica, techno and R&B. Dull thought of the name in 2008
“[The name ZZK] describes what we’re doing with Cumbia: creating it on software and computers,” Dull said.
Cumbia Digital is usually crafted by a DJ and played in the same manner most techno shows are played: with giant speakers and crowds of dancing people.
ZZK and “Cumbia Digital” are relatively new to North America, so Dull is introducing a new way for people around the world to experience his music and vision: ZZK TV.
“[ZZK TV is] The next step in getting out sound, vision, artists and label out to the rest of the world utilizing the power of technology and creativity,” he said.
The website will have an array of videos, blogs and donation spots, where patrons can win dinner with the ZZK crew and insight into their personal lives.
Most artists from ZZK became attached to the label by simply playing their music at clubs nights the label was there. Some of their most renowned artists include Fauna, Douster, Chancha Via Circuito, El Remolon, Frikstailers, King Coya and Tremor, which plays with an entire band instead of using the traditional DJ setup.
Dull said ZZK’s sound is always expanding, evolving and changing and that they will rarely sound the same one year than they did the last.