Say Zuzu/Matt Hebert and Haunt

$20/$25 Door

Doors 7

When we take advantage of the moment, we live life to the fullest. Reverent of the past and excited for the future, Say ZuZu makes the most of the present in their music. The New Hampshire six-piece—Cliff Murphy, brothers Jon and James Nolan, Steve Ruhm, Tim Nylander, and Jon Pistey—artfully thread together a reflective patchwork of folk, rock, alternative, and country powered by lifelong friendships and a collective ambition to “carpe diem.” As such, they sound as alive as ever on their seventh full-length offering and first original LP in 21 years, the aptly titled [Strolling Bones].

“There’s too much to do, and there’s no time to lose,” observes Cliff. “Between music, work, parenting, and whatever the rest of your day entails, we’re in the rush hour of life right now. This was an incredible opportunity to make new music and be present again. We’re in a universe of people who have the rare privilege of making records and sharing them with the world. We don’t have the luxury of sitting on our hands. We’re in constant motion.”

“In this phase of Say ZuZu, we have an opportunity to step in the same river twice,” adds Jon. “I’m in the current river with the wisdom of a late forty-something dude. I’m not going to tell you I’m fifty, because I’m not. I’m hanging on brother,” he laughs.

They dove headfirst into the river back in 1992. Jon, James, and Cliff bonded over the likes of Uncle Tupelo and Neil Young, founding Say ZuZu and crafting a signature sound equally steeped in eloquent folk and gritty homegrown rock ‘n’ roll. They went on to build a cult audience by way of a series of fan favorite albums, including Say ZuZu [1994], Highway Signs & Driving Songs [1995], Take These Turns [1997], Bull [1998], Live [1999], and Every Mile [2002]. Along the way, they crisscrossed the country countless times in a converted school bus affectionately dubbed “The Bull,” found success in Europe, and lived through enough to inspire a lifetime of unforgettable memories. The group amicably split up during 2003. Over the next 16 years, the guys started families (Jon has three kids and Cliff has four kids) and embarked on all manner of adventures. Cliff achieved a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Brown University, Steve completed flight school, Jon Pistey moved the family to Utah to run an Olympic ice rink, Tim continued to tour. Jon opened up MIlltown Recording Company where he recorded and produced other artists for ten years, while releasing two solo records of his own, including When the Summers Lasted Long. Musical collaborations also happened intermittently. Jon mixed Cliff’s solo record Bay State Lullaby, while Tim supplied drums as well.

2019 saw the group perform a series of emotionally charged reunion shows to sold out audiences, sowing the seeds for the future.

“Suddenly, we were in rooms full of people singing songs in a way they never had,” smiles Jon. “Those experiences were really important.”

During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, New West Records owner George Fontaine, Sr. reached out to Jon and Cliff. As the story goes, he nearly signed the band at the turn-of-the-century, so you could call it “unfinished business.” Inking a deal with Fontaine’s Strolling Bones, Say ZuZu commemorated its halcyon years with Here Again: A Retrospective (1994-2002) before recording No Time To Lose over the course of just ten days in December 2021. They channeled their original chemistry with the benefit of two decades of wisdom.

“I began writing songs in a way and at a pace I hadn’t since my twenties,” admits Cliff. “Being able to re-engage with Jon as a creative foil, partner, and co-editor was awesome.”

Say Zuzu

Matt Hebert