For New York duo Joy Zipper, the satisfaction of seeing their second album American Whip on the shelves of the world’s record shops has been a long time coming.

Recorded and ready for release this time last year, the collection was halted when 13 Amp (David Holmes’ imprint, to which they are signed) lost its funding from mother-label Ministry Of Sound. The band then had to decide whether to release the record on Ministry, or hang tough with 13 Amp while they chased a new deal.
“We had such a long relationship with David and 13 Amp that we stuck with them,” explains Tabitha Tindale, “but there were a couple of months when we didn’t know if it was gonna go anywhere or not. But then Mercury came along, and we were sweet again. But I wasn’t worried about the record. It’d already been all over the press because it was so close to being released last time, so we knew that people liked it and that it was just a matter of waiting.”
The album itself was recorded and produced by the band, with long time friend David Holmes and Kevin Shields roped in towards the end to add the finishing touches. Holmes produced the album’s drum tracks, while Shields was enlisted to help with the record’s final mixing. However, as Tabitha explains, Shields’ tortoise-like working pace was something the band could not afford to indulge for long.
“After nine days in the studio and only getting one song done, we realised we couldn’t spend that much money,” she smiles. “But it was perfect, and we really got the taste of that Kevin Shields legend, you know, with taking for ever. But even when we started working, just us, with the engineer, Kevin kept coming to the studio every day just to help out if we needed it. Without getting paid or anything! It was amazing. I think he really is a genuine music fan and loves music. It’s not about the money with him at all.”
Sound-wise, Joy Zipper span the realms of sublime, trippy electronica, tender folk and harmonious West-Coast sounds, which they infuse with the biting, uncompromising New York attitood that still permeates their music. All sweetness and light, it ain’t – something Tabitha puts down to the darkness in bandmate Vinny Cafiso’s lyrics.
“Vinny’s had periods in his life where he’s felt depressed or certain things, so he’s always had this, sort of, dark way of writing lyrics. But the music that he grew up on – that we both grew up on – was that 70s, nice sounding, melodic kind of stuff. It makes it quite bittersweet. But our music definitely still has a sarcastic, New York feel to it; that’s without question.”

Joy Zipper’s American Whip is available now.