The Zoup

Their mishmash sound of modern rock meets emo pop has quickly garnered them a fair whack of fans and this Auckland four-piece are no strangers to success, having represented NZ in the Australasian final of band battle Emergenza, placing third out of hundreds of contenders. The band’s intentions are made clear from the outset, with three enthusiastic, high energy tracks laid down like winning hands before they ease the body of work out with more artistic liberty taken on the back end. Singer Jaydn de Graaf leads from the front, his performances bleeding honesty while lyrically leaping from personal issue to ambiguous issue. In so far as composition and performance, the attention to detail is immaculate, the production, however, has its faults. The drums lack authority in the heavier sections, the lead guitar needs more cut during single note phrases, and the overall mix wants just that little bit more ‘oompf’ to rub shoulders with the big boys. Control is the highlight, a pop rock romp along with all the trimmings that goes some way to confirm that this band is one to keep an eye on for the future.

John Carroll - NZ Musician Magazine

Auckland four piece The Zoup have been together for just over a year now and have released their debut self titled EP. Originally calling themselves Moloko Vellocet, they changed to The Zoup without even a year being passed. Bit of a risk, but since then they have proved they have what it takes, when they placed 3rd in the Australasian Emergenza international band Origcompetition (under the name Moloko Vellocet). A mean feat with around 260 Australian and New Zealand bands competing, with the final 14 performing at the Metro Theatre in Sydney.

The Zoup have a blend of modern rock with an authoritative guitar sound very similar to the recent albums coming from the UK/US rock/pop culture. The EP captures what Aucklander's have been hearing from the live circuit and for the rest of us will hopefully hear live within the next 6 months as the promise of a tour is being whispered throughout the net. Hopefully during this time we will see a full album being released as well.

Opening the EP with 'Control' your attention is grasped with the calm chaos that leads on to 'Missing' which set the standard for the album which was total unpredicted but thoroughly brought musical pleasure to my ears. Good album to rock out to on a Friday night.

Worth a try, give it a go today! - Muzic.net.nz

Despite having a name that would only be tantalising to Germans (‘Vaiter, Zere’s a fly in my Zoup’ etc.), Auckland’s THE ZOUP etch out an okay niche as funk-rockers.

Local bands seem to have an ill-fated love-affair with funk music, as if forever stuck in a quest to replicate the Chilli Peppers sound – luckily for The Zoup, there’s enough mid-90’s rock influence in their sound to balance out the white man’s swing.Frontman Jaydn de Graaf has a great voice, channelling hero Brandon Boyd in frenetic rocker 'Missing' and perfecting the grunge croon in 'Para Mi'. De Graaf’s band-mates, while hardly cooking up an alternative-rock storm are tight and melodic; Dominic Mauger’s got some tasteful guitar hooks, swinging from aping John Frusciante in bouncy jaunt 'Take Some Time', to providing some hardcore-lite in the almost menacing 'Move Again'.

The Zoup dish up an impressive debut. It’s still on the wrong side of the year 2000, but there are some promising bones – the boys can write a great song, which stands them in great stead. Perhaps a few years on the track will help them find their own sound. By the sounds of their first effort, all the ingredients are present for the making of a great Zoup. - Coup de Main Magazine