ZAND is one of the most unique and exciting new artists in the country, and the ‘ugly pop-star’ returns with stunning, brand new, self-produced and self-released single ‘Battery Acid’, out everywhere now. The non-binary singer/songwriter/producer is making huge waves in the alternative scene right now, with their unique, genre bending sound, and ‘Battery Acid’ is the first new material from forthcoming new, sophomore EP (out later this year, more info on that very soon).
The new track is a stunning, wide screen style cinematic single, emotional and ambient with autobiographical elements, telling the story of a bisexual person trapped in an abusive relationship. As ZAND explains themselves, “Battery Acid is inspired by a pretty harrowing abusive situation I was in a long, long time ago. I was still openly queer and non-binary at the time, but I was not allowed to be myself. He was particularly threatened by my bisexuality; constantly accusing me of cheating or about to leave him for someone of any gender, when I was actually still loyal despite the abuse I was enduring. Eventually I escaped the relationship, but this song is more of a “what if I did?” spin on that chapter of my life, because this person absolutely did not deserve my loyalty after what he put me through. In the song’s narrative, I leave for a woman.”
“Bisexual people are actually more prone to intimate partner violence due to the stigma around our identities. With that being said, no matter your sexuality – what is considering ‘cheating’ can happen reactively due to abuse in an effort to escape, or an action of desperation, whatever – not because one is ‘greedy’ or ‘untrustworthy’, and although I’ve not done it myself, that’s the dynamic I’m exploring here.”
Look out for more music, news and info on the forthcoming 2nd ZAND EP coming very, very soon. Watch this space, so to speak.
Live wise, ZAND supported Bob Vylan in 2021, recently opened for Peaches on tour in Europe for the 20th anniversary of her iconic debut album “The Teaches Of Peaches”, supported tiktok bimbocore phenomenon Scene Queen on tour in the UK last month, headlined the Forest Stage at 2000trees Festival earlier this July, played The Great Escape 2022 and is now set to support VUKOVI on their largest UK/EU tour to date in October. ZAND will also be appearing at Rise Festival in Newcastle in September, and Drown U Out Festival In Leeds in November.
ALL confirmed and announced upcoming ZAND shows:
29th July – Double Dare Ya @ Night & Day, Manchester
10th September – Rise Festival, Newcastle
12th-30th October – Vukovi Tour
12th November – Drown U Out, Leeds (festival)