“This is one of the most colourful and flavourful albums I have heard in a long time.” - Joe Taylor
“I was not at all prepared for the sonic experience when undertaking my first spin of the album. As an emerging band, this album could easily hide beneath your musical radar, but once discovered, there’s no turning back” - Martin Noakes
ABOUT THE BAND:
Zuffalo was formed out of a shared love for favourite bands such as the Beatles, Grateful Dead, James Brown, and the Band. One night in Toronto in 2016, Mikey and Kim recruited Sean to play guitar and create their own blend of music with these heroes in mind; later meeting Eric who joined in 2019. With a mutual interest in improvisation, boosted by the jazz training of all band members and Kim’s music therapy background, the Zuffalo players love to weave notes and beats around each other and paint new musical ideas on the fly. But this is only one side of the coin, with the other being a four-headed songwriting monster that is always searching for the next unique sounding, harmony-enriched and lyrically mind-expanding song. The band members feel incredibly lucky to frequently flock to a unique studio in Baden, Ontario in the countryside outside of Kitchener. It is here, in an old barn that has been converted to a fully functioning professional studio, where the band members are at their most creative. The beautiful sunsets, amazing meteor showers, and the peacefulness of nature surround "The Barn" where the band crafts their music with careful consideration, always keeping humour at the forefront to secure the bond within the band.
In 2023, Zuffalo toured 7 different countries in continental Europe, played several times at Glastonbury Festival 2023 in the UK, as well as Western Canada with current guitar player David Celia. They have plans to return to Europe in spring 2024.
ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM:
BIRDBRAIN is Zuffalo’s second full length album, and it was recorded live-off-the-floor at “The Barn”. The album was produced and engineered by long-time friend Mackenzie Jordan, who inspires the band to be authentic yet adventurous in their choices. Mackenzie has a knack for always keeping the room laughing with good vibes all around, and he also played additional electric guitars on every track of BIRDBRAIN. The five friends had a blast throughout the whole recording process. With this album, the band strived for a deeper low-end than their first, self-titled album, as well as restraint in the playing to create a mood that is much more intimate. The songs were inspired by a range of critiques and love for life in Ontario, along with vivid stories of traveling. These stories sing over guitar-driven, warm, funky and entrancing grooves, with exciting solo sections sweeping in and out on an album that is a kaleidoscope of TONE!
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Glastonbury Festival - Pilton, Somerset, England - June 2023 (w/ David Celia)
Palp Festival - Bruson, Switzerland - June 2023 (w/ David Celia)
Desertfest - Berlin, Germany - May 2023 (w/ David Celia)
Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival - Kaslo, BC - August 2018 (with Mavis Staples, Shaky Graves, Greensky Bluegrass)
Evolve Music Festival - Moncton, NB - July 2019 (with Rising Appalachia)
ZUFFALO IS:
Kim Manning - Vocals, Keys
Mikey Vukovich - Vocals, Bass
David Celia - Vocals, Guitar
Eric Vanier - Drums
DISCOGRAPHY:
Zuffalo (2018)
Space [EP] (2020)
BIRDBRAIN (2021)
