Stridulum is the new EP from Zola Jesus on Sacred Bones Records. Much like the voice of Nika Roza Danilova (also known as Zola Jesus), songs like “Night” and “I Can’t Stand” flow with a haunting darkness and dreamlike warmth, much in the vein of ZJ’s earlier material that included the very spellbinding “Clay Bodies”. With a sound described as anything from experimental to gothic rock, the 21-year-old artist based out of Phoenix, Arizona certainly seems headed to break new ground with a uniqueness of her own.
Fresh from performing at SXSW, Zola Jesus is currently touring, which includes a Chicago date on June 27th at Schuba’s, before heading to the west coast followed by dates in Europe.
Buzz - You have a very unique sound. Did it come naturally for you and how would you describe it?
Nika - I can't explain it, the sound is whatever comes out of me. Sometimes it's one thing; sometimes it's the other. It's schizophrenic and idiosyncratic. That's the best I can do to describe it.
Buzz - I can hear a bit of PJ Harvey in your sound. Is she one of your influences?
Nika – No
Buzz - Who would be musicians that inspire you?
Nika - The Residents, Tina Turner, Throbbing Gristle, Stockhausen
Buzz - You come from Phoenix. What is the music scene like there?
Nika - I don't know. I didn't grow up there. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin, and the music scene was dead and bastardized.
Buzz - What is the story behind “Clay Bodies”? It is such a haunting song.
Nika - There is no story, really. It was a song I wrote for The Spoils... it was written during a troubling period of my life.
Buzz - What do you like about being on the road?
Nika - Visiting new places, being pulled away from comfort zones and familiarity... it makes you see things differently.
Buzz - What will you be working on next?
Nika - My next record, and some other projects I hope to find time for.
Buzz - How have you been received overseas? Do they get you as much as they do here?
Nika - My overseas fans are very supportive and really very incredible. I feel very fortunate.
Buzz - Your vocals are very strong. I read that you took opera lessons. Is that true?
Nika – Yes
Buzz - What can someone who has never seen Nika Jesus expect at one of your shows?
Nika - Passion is all I can account for.
jun 17 - Toronto, ON - Sneaky Dees (NXNE)
jun 18 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison (NXNE)
jun 19 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands Gallery (w/ EFFI BRIEST, Nice Face)
jun 25 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry (w/ Dada Trash Collage, Jabon)
jun 26 - Madison, WI - The Frequency (w/ Dada Trash Collage, Jabon)
jun 27 - Chicago, IL - Schubas (w/ Dada Trash Collage, Jabon)
jul 03 - Des Moines, IA - 80/35 Festival
jul 09 - New York, NY - South Street Seaport (w/ Bear in Heaven)
jul 13 - New York, NY - Terminal 5 (w/ Wolf Parade)
jul 17 - Milwaukee, WI - Radio Summer Camp (w/ Wolf Parade)
jul 24 - Seattle, WA - Capital Hill Block Part
jul 25 - Portland, OR - Holocene (w/ Pete Swanson, Slaves)
jul 30 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre (w/ Wolf Parade)
jul 31 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern Theater (w/ Wolf Parade)
aug 01 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo - Part Time Punks
sep 06 - Glasgow, UK - O2 ABC (w/ Fever Ray)
sep 08 - London, UK - Brixton Academy (w/ Fever Ray)
sep 09 - Paris, FR - La Cigale (w/ Fever Ray)
