The Zoots!

The Zoots are a theatre band who have been regularly touring and performing since they first formed in 2009. To date, they have played over 1000 shows, and toured over 30 countries. They've also released 4 albums, and they have over 2 million downloads and streams online.

I had the joy of getting to hear them at Twinwood Vintage Festival 2019. They've agreed to answer some questions for me, and here they are.

1) Introduce yourselves, what instruments you play, and one crazy fact about yourself

Jamie on lead vocals and guitar (I am a distant relation of Adam Ant). Harriet on percussion and vocals (She also has her own art business www.MadebyHarriet.com). Adam on lead guitar and vocals (His Mum rescued Robert Plant's (from Led Zeppelin) Dad's dog. Ian on drums and vocals (He went to Nick Mason's (From Pink Floyd) house to set up a drum kit for him). Ed on bass and vocals (Ed used to be The Zoots' sound engineer for 3 years before he joined the band)

2) How would you describe the music you play?

The Zoots perform a few different shows so our music is diverse and versatile

3) How did you get into the kind of music you play?

The band started off as a 60s show which Jamie got into from his parents' record collection which included The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beatles.

4) How has music changed you?

Jamie says, "music changed me at my first concert when I was thirteen years old. The feeling I got from the performance was the biggest high of my life, and I just wanted more and more and more. I have tried to recreate that feeling ever since.

5) How did the band start out?

The band started out in 2009 when Jamie was asked to put together a 60s tribute show for a tour the same year. 10 years and 1000 shows later, and they band have toured over 30 countries!

6) Twinwood Festival 2019 - your set was amazing. How do you come up with the setlist? Is it a combined effort? Is it requested by the client?

Jamie puts the set together with some help from Harriet. It's based on years of experience of what we feel works best.

7) What was your favourite part of Twinwood Festival?

Playing at such a wonderful festival is an honour and privilege. The feeling we got with everyone in the crowd cheering our name at the end of the show was one of the best feelings ever!

8) What did you think of the atmosphere at the festival? 

The atmosphere of the festival is magical.

9) Would you return to Twinwood, either as an act, or just to experience it?

Yes, absolutely. Either performing or as a guest, we'd return. I was so impressed with all of the costumes, stalls, food and bars - it was amazing!

10) What, for you, is the most difficult part of performing?

There are challenges when performing at a festival as you are working with a crew you've never met before. Sometimes you are on stage and all you can hear is the drum set and you have to perform with a smile no matter what. You may have a speaker blaring out a deafening whistling but everyone in the audience is looking at you and if it doesn't sound right, the audience blames the band. That's why we go in the crowd so much at festivals as its the only way we can hear anything! Reputation is everything and if it doesn't sound right it only ever reflects on the act rather than the sound crew. Luckily this doesn't happen very often and we take our own crew whenever we can.

11) Who are your favourite musical artists which might be considered a part of 'vintage music' now, and how have they influenced you?

The Who, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Small Faces, The Kinks and Led Zeppelin are all big influences and I have lots of their original records on vinyl.

Thank you to the band for taking the time to answer my questions. I hope I get to see you perform again. Best of luck for the future.