who is ZELDA PINWHEEL???

drawing energy from varied extremes of our world, ZELDA PINWHEEL creates an “abstract, all-encompassing sound that makes (them) startlingly unique.” they strive to paint a picture of the individual in his struggle against world structure, turning the transient waves of white noise and confusion that surround us and cloud our perception into a thing of complex and often disturbing beauty…

the band weaves ambient guitars, intricate percussion, passionate and sometimes ethereal vocals, tape based drones, and occasional spurts of lo-fi electronics into a lush tapestry of melodic noise. with songs that are assembled through a system of structured improvisation that simultaneously embraces order and chaos, cousins stephen quaranta (guitars, voices, electronics, drones, & toys) and james dellatacoma (guitars, drones, production, & turntables) along with newcomer ralph gould (drum kit, congas, djembe, shakers, chimes, and other toys) lead listeners on “a journey through a disjointed but gorgeous universe (*)” that is both desperate and hopeful…

in the summer of 2000, ZELDA PINWHEEL released a limited edition cassette titled HOME(?) [4 track demos]. only 22 copies were made. their debut full length, (:as seen through a thin sheet of glass), was released on may 22, 2001 and marked the start of the band's own transparent voice records. the label has also released two cd’s by james’s electronic side project, TOUCHY FEELY.

october, 2001 marked the start to the recording of ZELDA PINWHEEL’s second album. these new songs display remarkable growth since their first album, taking on added texture and atmosphere. they are being recorded by the band in their home studio (wise fool recording, old bridge, nj,) taking advantage of the skills that james has acquired while working as a recording assistant for legendary producer, bill laswel. this album is near completion and should be released some time in the summer of 2002… in the meantime, ZELDA PINWHEEL has released a brand new EP entitled ‘serenity (in hindsight)’ containing demos and outtakes from the current sessions along with highlights from the first cd…


all quotes taken from a review in “the two river times,” december 14-21, 2001.