It’s such a Canadian thing to discover a homegrown artist through another country. I first heard music by Zodiac (a.k.a. Jeremy Rose) on Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 show. The legendary DJ played “Points” two weeks in a row and I was hooked on the song’s dark and heavy grooves. Then the whole controversy about his collaboration with the Weeknd and its subsequent fallout hit the internet, and Rose’s name was associated with that debacle rather than his own work as a producer for projects such as the Jealous Guys track "Genesis."
With that rather unfortunate circumstance behind him, Rose is now ready to look into the future and focus on new and exciting projects and collaborations. I spoke with Rose via email.
Q: How did you first get involved in music?
A: I used to play with my dad's tape recorder when I was a kid and record it into Windows Recorder and stretch the file and stuff. Then I got Cool Edit Pro and really started messing with sounds. It was all ambient sound stuff. Then I thought I should put beats around it so other people would be more willing to listen to it. I took piano for six months when I was around 15 or something and my teacher was really supportive of my experimentation. I'd always bring him these awful noise tracks that I made. He actually listened to them, which emboldened me.
Q: What’s the story behind the name Zodiac?
A: I went through a few names coming up to that one. I just needed something that I knew I wasn't going to change anytime soon. About a year ago I was watching the movie Zodiac when I thought, hmm, so basically I'm named after a 2007 thriller about a serial killer from the ’70s.
Q: How would you describe the music you produce?
A: Dark and heavy. Backwards? I don't like using those descriptors but that's all I got. I really like tearing samples apart and employing textural sounds. I think the darkness is just a phase though. I just don't know how to write any other way.
Q: The Fader magazine listed you as one of the top five producers to watch in 2012. How does that sort of accolade affect how you work?
A: When that article came out, I felt that I just needed to back that up. It also made me a little gun shy because I'm so afraid of sucking.
Q: Has the controversy about your collaboration with the Weeknd helped your career in any way?
A: It helped to let people know who I am and the work I did. On the other hand, it's all a bit too much bullshit to handle and I don't really want to talk about it much more. I just want to move forward and get the Weeknd-shaped albatross off my neck.
Q: Do the bad feelings that surround your collaboration with the Weeknd make you cautious about collaborating with other artists again?
A: No, not really. I work in a much more professional atmosphere than I started out in. And just because you're going to run into some difficulties along the way doesn't mean that you should run the other way. Collaboration brings a lot out in me and the work I do and I wish to continue with it.
Q: I first heard your music on Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 show. How did that come about?
A: My buddies BadBadNotGood were at his studio playing and their manager Ghetto Gold Matt handed him some tracks to check out. It was good luck for me and a really nice thing for them to do.
Q: What projects do you have in the works?
A: I'm gonna be working on an album with someone really special soon, plus a solo EP that I've been dragging my ass on. I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with a bunch of new artists and I’m really excited. There's some remixes waiting to get released as well. It's all gonna be a surprise.
Q: What was the first record you ever bought and where?
A: I think it might have been the Godzilla OST on tape cassette back in ’99 or maybe The Downward Spiral? I've never bought a piece of vinyl in my life. I get lots of free stuff no one wants though: Oral Roberts and Bobby Vinton and other crap that's fun to sample sometimes. I should get around to building my collection though. One day.
Q: What music are you currently grooving to?
A: Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works, Boards of Canada's A Few Old Tunes Vol. 1 & 2, Brian Eno's ambient stuff, Kurt Vile and some Henry Purcell and Erik Satie. The same damn playlist I've been rocking forever now.
Watch the video for "Points".
Zodiac will be playing V I S I O N S with Shlohmo, Ryan Hemsworth and Deebs on May 18, 2012, at the 99 Sudbury gallery in Toronto.
Related links:
K'Naan and the Weeknd: evolving African identities in Canada
The Weeknd: 2011 Polaris Music Prize Short List Artist of the Week