10.22 A wknd w/ Zoos
The band on bike rides, boulder beers and some good ol' fashioned satanic ass-shakin'
!TGIF! DO THE DAMN THING WITH ZOOS
Having done, shall we say, our fair share of swiping, we know that those meet-via-the-internet things can be pretty hit or miss. Awkward conversations, creepy encounters, bizarre experiences destined to serve as bar/brunch fodder for years to come…
As it turns out, chemistry can be hard to come by—and that’s just for people trying to find love and get laid! When it comes to creative compatibility, it’s likely even more difficult, and we imagine that the search for a ~sonic soulmate~ is a difficult journey, a true exercise in endurance and, to put it plainly, prob quite the crapshoot. (Carrie Bradshaw could never.)
However, occasionally the musical equivalent of Cupid—or in today’s terms: an algorithm—comes through, making for matches that allow us to believe in true love. And, even better, really good music.
Enter: BK pop-rock project Zoos. The band came together a couple years ago with the help of Bandmix (what Mitch of the group describes as “tinder for musicians”), but spend a few minutes watching the gang o’ guys interact and it seems like they’ve known each other forever. It’s not just organic music magic on display but true and obvious friendship—a sense that Mitch, Frank, Tom and Horacio have just as much fun onstage and off, in front of the audience and behind the scenes.
This isn’t conjecture; we actually know from experience. Over the past six months, we’ve had the opportunity to hang with the artists at Zoos Studio—a recording studio// practice space//DIY venue and, with the addition of a few aquariums, literal animal house that the band built out entirely themselves during quarantine—to shoot sessions with Moon Kissed (here) and The Down and Outs (here), and it’s become hands-down one of our favorite spots in Brooklyn. The band’s name is designed to convey the idea of “a big party welcome to all shapes and sizes” and that’s precisely the vibe that Zoos exudes on all fronts: through their personalities, in their space, at their shows and, of course, through their music.
SPEAKING OF MUSIC! Zoos’ debut album is out WEDNESDAY (10/27), and the band will be celebrating with a release show at Mercury Lounge ft. Colatura and Cry Babi on Sunday, November 14th. But first! Mitch and Horacio are joining us on the radio MONDAY (radiofreebrooklyn.com // 7 PM), and between now and then—aka the weekend—we’ve got plenty of Zoos-approved ways to get wild. And then, on the flip side, not so wild at all.
“A balanced life is a good life,” Mitch told us when providing the below itinerary. ”With the Zoos three-day weekend you will get a blend of excitement and tranquility, strong drinks and hydration, fresh air and fog-machine air. It is all about the duality.”
That ying and that yang, baby! Cheers to a weekend designed by our favorite dudes, featuring the perfect amount of both—
Have fun, and swipe safe. We’ll catch ya out there.
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
When moving into the weekend, it is important to be liberated from stress and physical and mental tightness. Take the first half of the day and work out your body and mind. Do your work, practice your hobbies and art, work out your body, do what makes you feel productive and good. There will be not much time for that in the next two-and-a-half days so better get it in now. That evening Four Loko will taste that much better after some hot yoga.
As the evening rolls around you will first be rolling down to Rocka Rolla in Williamsburg off the Metropolitan G stop. It’s a great place to get into the spirit of the night. ‘80s - 2000s classic rock and metal bumping, endless pints and vintage beer signs will change your mentality to that of a care-free hair metal fan completely wrapped in tight shiny leather pants.
After a few hours you should be feeling like a rock star. Now that you FEEL like a rockstar it is now time to BECOME a rockstar. Head to Montero in Brooklyn Heights off Atlantic for some prime Brooklyn Karaoke. You will have to wait because this place is always packed, but in the meantime you can play some pool and listen to others sing as your time to belt out in the mosh pit awaits (there is no stage, just a pile of people). Of course you will first have to check in with the old Brooklyn lady sitting at the card table first and give her your name and song. If you are lucky you might be able to witness the little old cleaning lady jump in and slay a Celine Dion track. So much power from such a small person. A sight to behold.
Karaoke can be tiring and harsh on the voice. At a certain point you will want to tap into your spiritual side and get your body and mind in sync. It is now time to shoot up the G to St.Vitus in Greenpoint. St. Vitus is a late-night satanic bar with a dance floor and frequent DJs. Stop by for some spooky vibes and pay homage to the dark lord himself, and then shake your ass to some Joy Division or The Smiths. Sometimes there is an old Soviet Union-outfitted general DJing, so bonus points if you are into that kinda thing.
SATURDAY
After last night you are probably finding yourself a bit sluggish. That is okay. You are beautiful and you are enough even when you are hungover. Today we will be shifting from 4th gear down to 3rd, and there is no better place to do so than Red Hook. Take your time getting up, but when you do, make your way down to Red Hook and get some breakfast key lime pie at Steve’s. You can grab a few small pies to go and sit and the beach park Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier. It's a lovely place to eat pie, listen to the ocean, and feel your hangover fade into the crisp New York air we all love.
From here its not too far to get to Other Half Brewing. A lovely brewery with plenty of choices (mostly good) and a great place to wet your whistle. Have a flight and talk about beer and pretend you are drinking it intellectually for the analysis and culture, and not just to get rid of your headache. Chat with the friends about last night and send your apology texts to everyone you offended in your altered state. It's okay; they get it. Sitting around is fun for a bit but when you are ready for action, shlep over to Brooklyn Crab for some drinks served in plastic palm trees and corn hole. Have a snack and play some games with the pals. By now the sun will start to be getting lower in the sky and you may have run out of things to talk about.
Last stop on our Saturday is one of my favorite spots in NY, Sunny’s. Sit in the quaint backyard and have a drink while listening to live gypsy jazz and folk music. There are some routine performers there and a consistent sound. No surprises, just a lovely evening and lovely music. It’s okay to go home before 1AM tonight, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone.
SUNDAY
Sunday is a day to start to get back into the flow. Let's get the mind and body moving again for the upcoming week. Start your day by heading down to Zoos Studio in Bed-Stuy and jamming with the fellas. Play some music or record some songs. You will feel inspired and fired up once you work that creative muscle. It will light you up for the rest of the day. After a bit of that, hop on your old ‘90s Schwinn you insist is a god bike and not an old piece of trash, and meet up with some pals for a bike ride. Going from Bed-Stuy to Long Island City is a nice medium ride. Should take less than an hour with a little stop here and there. Maybe at Domino Park by the water, maybe at a Greenpoint Coffee shop like Odd Fox Coffee.
Eventually winding up at ICONIC NYC. Iconic is an awesome back-alley brewery with a really cool rock to sit on. It’s like a huge boulder that sticks out of the pavement and can fit like 20 people. If you don't really get it, just go there and see you will know when you see it. Hang out here for the afternoon and talk about the weekend. Talk about your life and feelings. Connection is good for the soul. Now the weekend is rolling down, you got in some exercise, hobbies, socialization, connection, peace, and adventure.
The perfect weekend is winding down. Now there is only one thing left to do: bike back to your house, shower off, chug some water, and tear through a few episodes of 90 Day Fiancé.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Zoos. Follow the band at @zoosmusica, add their music to your Spotify playlists and find everything Zoos at zoosmusic.com!
Feature image provided by the band.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Saturday: THE WAVYS ARE HERE! Celebrate with our friends at Blonde Records and other founders and nominees at the inaugural inclusive awards show, happening right here in NYC. Find details on how to stream here.
We’re having a Halloween house (k, apartment) party and you’re invited! DM for deets XOXO
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“Stolen Jag Off Morgan Ave” // S.C.A.B.
“Desolation Or How I Learned To Fear The Pit” // Should’ve
“The Grey Commute” // Nation of Language
“Lemon Trees” // Drug Couple
High Kicks // Tenderheart Bitches
What’s On Outside // Loose Buttons
The Divine Mundane // Mt. Feral
”Cricket Songs (Lua Version)” // Phantom Handshakes and Lua
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the shows we’ve got coming up this month. Mark your calendars and come hang!
10.23 (TOMORROW): BDBK PRESENTS: Sharkswimmer + TVOD @ FirstLive Studios (IRL tix here; stream Sharkswimmer here; stream TVOD here)
10.30 BDBK AND HOT KNIVES PRESENT: Halloween at the Footlight Underground w/ Hot Knives, Nevva, Nihiloceros and Mary Shelley @ Windjammer (tix here)
11.16 BDBK PRESENTS: Mary Shelley (single release) + Gardenia + Punchlove + Project Leone @ The Nest
11.19 BDBK PRESENTS: Sharkswimmer, Marathoner, Joyce, The Plebs @ Pet Rescue
11.20 BDBK PRESENTS: Glassio, Ryan Egan, small dogs, Boy Jr. @ TV Eye (tix here)
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: “EVERYBODY ELSE” FROM KRISTIN FLAMMIO & THE PRETTY BITCHIN’
WANTED: BASSIST + DRUMMER + SAXOPHONIST + SYNTH PLAYER FOR LIVE BAND
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3