They have become affectionately known as ‘Subway Gawdz’ from the city that never sleeps, by their hundreds of thousands of fans (including The Root’s Questlove) ever since their electrifying performances filmed in New York City’s Union Square Station went viral – but it seems one half of the trio, trumpeter Matt Doe, is human after all. “I will say that I’m a little worried about reptiles and insects, coming to Australia for the first time.
“Isn’t it like the deadliest place in the world for shit like that?” he laughs, before clearing his throat. “I apologise – my voice is a little croaky. I’m having bad allergies today, but I’ll be better soon.”
Doe knows that he needs to be in top form ahead of the string of shows they plan to play in November, including a headline show at Howler in the city, and two spots on the bill at the Queenscliff Music Festival.
“We’re very excited! We’ve never been to Australia and we’ve heard awesome things about the Queenscliff festival, and all the other musicians that will be there, so we’re super excited to go and play with them.”
Too Many Zooz will make a memorable addition to the already stellar festival line up. All three members, including Doe, baritone saxophonist Leo Pellegrino and drummer David ‘King of Sludge’ Parks, are cult figures in their home city of the Big Apple, thanks to their signature sound they coined ‘brasshouse’ that combines EDM and jazz influences with island rhythms and everything in between.
Doe and Pellegrino are formally trained musicians who met at the Manhattan School of Music. “I moved to New York when I was seventeen and Joe was a year ahead of me,” Doe says. “He was a sophomore and I was a freshman, and we became friends.
“Leo and the King of Sludge, David, started a band together called the Drumadics,” he adds. “Soon after that Leo invited me to come and play with them, and from day one we all thought ‘Oh yeah! There’s something we can harness here, and turn into something cool’. Also it was a way to make some quick money and it was fun.”
Their eclectic, colourful and high-spirited performances are complemented by Pellegrino’s unique dance moves. “Leo has always been a guy with a lot of charisma,” Doe smiles. “He has a lot of energy, and he’s a fun guy to be around. He’s definitely someone that loved dancing long before Too Many Zooz – but in some ways I think he kind of perfected the art of the dance more recently.”
Last year, TMZ’s ‘lord of the dance’ met dancing queen Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks when they performed together at the CMA Awards. “Everyone was incredible and Beyoncé is someone we all hold in very high regard. It was an honour for sure,” Doe says. “It was a pleasure and an amazing experience. I’m just super grateful – it was really surreal for all of us.”
Doe says they’re hoping to create more memories on their Australian tour – and they haven’t ruled out an impromptu performance at a station near you. “There is stuff brewing right now – new music I’m really pumped for – and whenever we’ve got time off, even if it’s just a few hours, we always try to get out and film stuff, take pictures and see what the place is all about. So keep a look out for us!”
When & Where: Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff – November 24 – 26
Written by Natalie Rogers
