WMC: What would you say is the Zookeepers sound?

The Zookeepers:
Mike – Loud.
Pete – Exotic basement music.
Cooper – It’s kind of unpredictable. I’m an inconsistent song-writer, so when I start making something that sounds interesting, I usually finish it. The variety keeps it fresh, but makes it difficult to pinpoint a defined “sound.” When asked I usually just say “experimental pop.”
Pat – I usually just say loud, but I think I like Pete’s answer the best.

WMC: As you grow as a band, who are some of the musical influences you have admired, and have gained inspiration from?

The Zookeepers:
Pete – Whirlwind Heat, Liars.
Pat – Definitely those two in energy and sound, but I have two other bands I look up to in bigger ways than just sound. The first is The Mae Shi. They were one of the first bands that I was into that were really doing it all themselves - from recording themselves to self-booking tours to building their own instruments to their own totally unique sound and writing style - and I couldn’t help but be really excited by that energy they put into their work. Another big one is The Monkees. They had their “fake band” days, but for most of their career, they were self-produced musicians doing studio work not limited to genres, writing partners or musicians and every song is a wonderful listening experience. Again, something I was really excited about the idea of; a recording project band that sometimes played awesome shows and wasn’t limited by having a lead member or traditional frontman.
Cooper – Mostly pop music. My all-time favorites are R.E.M. and Beck. As a youngin’, I was all about Backstreet [Boys] and whatever else was easily accessible. Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, and Eve 6 came later. Those bands often get a lot of criticism for sucking, but I don’t think they do. I like it.
Mike – I refuse to say.

WMC: What have been some of your influences from your travels around, and how do you see these influences incorporated into your music?

The Zookeepers:
Pete – It’s brought the band together a lot more, personally and idea wise. We’ve also spent a lot more time working on the live presentation of our music.
Cooper - I go see my favorite bands play, and then I steal ideas from them.
Mike – I’ve only seen places outside this state in magazines but they look scenic.
Pat – He’s lying. We’ve toured the U.S. before. It was scenic.

WMC: What are you working on musically?

The Zookeepers:
Pat – We’re working on finishing up our sixth album, Elmer’s Paste Land. We recorded it this summer, mostly during June and July. Now we’re just tying up all the loose ends and mixing it. Assuming nothing terrible happens in the final mixing stages, it’s my favorite Zookeepers album yet. Lots of distortion and auto-tune.
Cooper - It’s the definitely the weirdest thing we’ve ever done. Half half-assed and mixtape-y, it drives the nail into our coffin of inconsistency. We really squeezed the sweetest juices from our mind grapes on this one.
Mike – I’m working on trying to find some new writers.

WMC: Any upcoming projects outside of music?

The Zookeepers:
Mike - I’m hoping for some clemency from the court on the supension of my status as a level three sex offender. Still pending… fingers crossed!XD
Cooper - Not for me. I’m a full-time student and I work at a movie theater. Music is pretty much something I get to do when I have free time. IT is my outside project…but I wish this weren’t so!
Pat – Although I am also a full time student, music is about all I work on. If anyone wants me to mix your recordings or record your band, message me on The Zookeepers MySpace or something! I’ll probably do it for almost free.

WMC: What are you bumpin’ on your ipods?

The Zookeepers:
Cooper - I’ve had Party In The U.S.A. on repeat for a while now. It’s by this popular Nashville singer Miley Cyrus. The song is about her moving to Hollywood and feeling out of place. She goes to a party and people look at her funny because she’s wearing tennis shoes, and they think that’s funny. They all have fancy shoes on. She’s sad until she hears Jay-Z, and then she feels happy because she realizes they’re not that different after all, and they all share a common love for Jay-Z songs. She realizes everything will be ok. I really really really love this song. It is irresistible pop tunage. ALSO: WHY?, St. Vincent, Amanda Blank, and Clues. I started listening to Pavement for the first time over the summer. I’m most likely the reason they’re reuniting.
Pat – I’ve been listening to Psychic Paramount, Laddio Bolocko, Why? and Sun Ra, but not on an iPod. I’m pretty much always listening to R.E.M. too.
Pete – Fiona Apple, Tool, Dusty Springfield.
Mike - Armin Van Buurin. Strictly for the females.

WMC: Any final closing remarks?

The Zookeepers:
Cooper - Love us.
Mike – Buy something.
Pat – Buy our love.
Pete - Zookeepers will keep on.
Pat – In all seriousness, we’re in the process of getting all of our albums and some other fun stuff onto Bandcamp (thezookeepersband.bandcamp.com) and have two of our albums up now. Free to stream, cheap or free to download!