Like many people in Ireland, the high costs of basic necessities forced Max Zaska and his family out of the city. His disappointment and frustration in a political system that cares more about developing high-revenue projects like hotels, than building long-term sustainable communities is the fuel for ‘The Basics’.
The ZASKA single is out on 26 January and can be pre-saved here.
Despite its subject matter, ‘The Basics’ has an uptempo energetic, bass-heavy, danceable groove that draws on a UK garage sound and is the first single off ZASKA’s forthcoming second album, ‘A Better Way’.
Bandleader and guitarist Max Zaska is known for collaborations featuring vocalists from Hozier to Tolü Makay. With ‘The Basics’, Max steps up to the mic to take on lead vocals for the first time.
“I’m kind of bricking it to be honest. Having worked with so many incredible singers over the last 10 years, I had the terrible habit of comparing myself to them and being self-critical. But when the music for ‘The Basics’ was recorded, rather than giving it to someone else to sing, I decided to do it myself and I’m really proud of how the track turned out.”
‘The Basics’ features long-time ZASKA contributors Dylan Lynch (Soda Blonde) on drums, Neil Dorrington (Tolü Makay) on bass, and James Smith (J Smith) on keys and production, along with a string quartet to flesh out the sound.
The music video for ‘The Basics’ was produced by James Smith and shot in part at Dublin City Council, whose An Bord Pleanála is responsible for approving building applications. Zaska urges people to get involved with local groups fighting for community cultural and housing interests, such as Dublin Is Dying or Community Action Tenants Union – CATU Ireland.
ZASKA’s second album, ‘A Better Way’, is themed around sustainability and will be out later this year featuring vocalists Tolü Makay, Faye O’Rourke (Soda Blonde), Melina Malone, J Smith, Jess Kav, Carly Coonagh, and Precious Okpaje (Super Silly).
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