On The Verge

Zeus

Toronto, Ontario
Earth Rock Revival
www.themusicofzeus.com

The members of Zeus have already logged countless miles on the road since formerly gigging as fellow Canadian singer/songwriter (and onetime Broken Social Scene member) Jason Collett’s backing band. “Jason saw promise in [us] and helped facilitate the connection with [label] Arts & Crafts,” says multi-instrumentalist Carlin Nicholson of the quartet’s formation in 2009. “What you see when Zeus performs is a pure product of how excited we are,” he says. “No one ever fakes it—in Zeus, I don’t think we’re capable of that.” The band, which draws influence for their “earth rock revival” sound from the likes of Ween, The Kinks and Queen, released their sophomore album Busting Visions in March. “We get a kick out of using both new and unused material,” Nicholson says of the vintage hooks and harmonies, fuzzy riffs and changing tempos that comprise the album. “Everything around you offers inspiration if you see it that way,” he says. “Positive or negative—love or pain—or just a moment of quiet. It’s all yours to use if you want it.”