"A sweet synth-edged slice of Scandic-sounding pop, sung in such sunny close harmony that you kind of wish it was summer again." - The List (Kirstin Innes)
"Mr Peel would have championed them, I suspect. ... Single of the Week." - CD Times (Gary Kaill)
"B-side Song to the Embers is a slow-burning Miaoux Miaoux remix that blazes with darker inclinations, drifting like a fairy-tale through austere pastures ... a generally ace double intro to van Goey's sparkly world." - Music OMH (Neil Jones)
Howdy, stranger. We've been hopping around festivals these days, and when we were at T In The Park the BBC found us and invited to their camper van where we played a session. You can watch the video by clicking here!
We were lucky enough to have a couple of nice features written about us in the press recently, so you can discover our sordid history by clicking here for an article in the Metro, and if you're still curious you can click here for an article in the Scotsman. Or if you don't feel like clicking, you can just keep on trucking through the bio below. Happy travels...
Zoey Van Goey is a band made up of Matt Brennan, Michael John McCarthy, and Kim Moore. Hailing from Canada, Ireland, and England respectively, they met in Glasgow, Scotland, and started making music together in 2006.
In 2007, Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian produced the band's debut single, "Foxtrot Vandals." It was chosen as "single of the week" by Jim Gellatly on XFM Scotland, and the band got to play a live session on BBC Radio Scotland. The Zoeys also embarked on a short tour with Falkirk art-rockers Y'all Is Fantasy Island and novelist Alan Bissett. Dubbed the Super Puny Humans, the shows featured performances by both bands as well as sections with everyone onstage, with Bissett reading from his novels while both bands provided musical backing.
In 2008, the band did more shows and recently released another single, "Sweethearts In Disguise," which was produced by Paul Savage (formerly of the Delgados) and featured Mr. Bob Kildea of Belle and Sebastian, who laid down a mean bass line. At the moment they are trekking around the UK playing the unsigned tents of a few festivals, like Rockness, T In The Park, Wickerman, Indietracks, Loch Lomond, and Connect.
A few additional facts: Kim once trekked her way through a jungle in Ghana with a machete. Matt had part of his lung surgically removed after a tree fell on him during an ice storm in Montreal. Michael John was a trivia prodigy and regularly appeared on television quiz shows in Ireland throughout his childhood.
Reviews:
"On course to hit the big-time over the next 12 months ... Bookish folk-cellar pop with electronic elements, the subject matter covering everything from impending apocalypse to teaching English in Japan." - The Independent (James McNair)
"Things have moved quickly for Irish/Canadian/English trio Zoey Van Goey, formed just last year. They were snapped up by local independent label Say Dirty Records after only their second gig, and also taken under the wing of Belle & Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch, who produced their debut single, Foxtrot Vandals. That song made for a smart opener here; its carefree thrum and woozy harmonies revealing a tasteful rooting in shambling C86-era guitar pop. Elements of folk and ditzy electronica weave their way through the material too. Cranked up a notch, they should be of considerable appeal to fans of their mentor's outfit at the very least." - The Scotsman (Malcolm Jack)
"Mixing frothy folk-pop tunes with a slight electronic edge and some weird percussion, while swapping instruments like swingers at a musical orgy, the Van Goeys certainly leave their mark. From the experimental soundscape of ‘The City Is Exploding’ to the more carnal pleasures of ‘I Want To Jump Your Bones’, they manage to engage both head and feet with alarming regularity. Definitely one to watch." - Is This Music? (Dan Coxon)
"The Glasgow-based, internationally sourced, three-piece are ridiculously talented: they swap instruments, play violin and have Kim Moore’s stunning vocals. Like the Postal Service with a sense of humour, they cover romance, imminent apocalypse and baked beans, all in the course of one song." - The Skinny (Laura Paterson)
"Inspiring trio based in Glasgow who will be huge in 2008. They're a bit weird and their on-stage banter is just as brilliant as their sounds. Ones to watch." - The Daily Record (Heather Suttie)
To join the band's mailing list, just send an e-mail to zoeyvangoey@googlemail.com (please note that this e-mail is only checked once a month, so for all other enquiries please get in touch via myspace).
Guys, I appreciated the mere fact that you crossed my page and said my songs were lovely so I'd fucking love it if you had a listen to my new stuff. xxx
Dear Zoey Van Goeys, It is a small small world. You shared a stage with the Smittens. My daughter, Emily, sometimes plays violin with them. She recorded on their last album. They sang praise and laurels about your talents. Wish you would tour the States. Your fan, a real Van Goey.
Zoey,you were kind to leave me a comment,I'll do my best at The Barn,borrowing a friends tent,perhaps I'll be aloud a long set.I enjoyed your music this eve and am just home from The Halt,wed. eve's are quite fun and creative,as is your music,silly wee thing,Franny and Zoey was my fave childhood book,Salinger wrote,so remember you,pop you to Olympic&Events Homepage ralphgeraldgenis23. tripod. com Cheers and many good songs ahead,best,Ralph(Goldfish)Langside,Glasgow,Scotland
Never heard of you guys til I saw you live at the Wickerman Festival! Nice stories about the canadian snow haha! Don't usually like this type of music but fell in love with yous straight away! Only managed to download one song which is a shame but you sound a lot better live anyway! Hope you make it big and bring out an album :] Lots of love Rachel xx
I've been hearing great things about you for a while now so it was nice to finally see you live at loch lomond. You were fantastic - we'll be coming to see you again on the 29th!! xxx
We are playing four live tracks on Vic Gallowy's show on Radio 1 on Wednesday night 11pm till 1am in connection with the "With Handclaps EP" which you can download free from www. winningspermparty. com on said evening. The following night (Thurs 7th) at The Ivy Bar on North St in Glasgow, Cry Parrot and WSP are hosting a launch featuring sets from Sparrow & The Workshop, Blood Orange and Jodi Cave. Starts about 8pm.
