After more than 10 years together, you learn a lot about yourself and who you are as a group. That is certainly the case for Zolopht, a local band that has dominated the music scene in the Grand Valley for years.

Zoë-Ulani Ray, a longtime fan of the band, says, “The first time I saw Zolopht was at Beer Fest at Edgewater Brewery. I turned to my mom halfway through their set and said, ‘These guys are awesome! I want to be friends with them.’”

Originally known as Zolopht and the Destroyers, a reggae/rock/funk band, Zolopht has made its mark with three studio albums and several national tours. Ranging from six to nine members, they have played in venues from coast to coast.

At the beginning of 2021, Zolopht fans were shocked by an announcement that founding member and frontman Zac Grant was leaving the band for personal reasons. At the same time, trumpet player Daniel Ohlson also moved on to pursue his career goals. For fans of the band, the immediate question was, “Is this the end of Zolopht?”

Within the band there was a flurry of phone calls. Discussions were had and decisions were made. Zolopht would continue as a five-piece band featuring the remaining members Cam Vilar on guitar and lead vocals, Geoff Mueck on bass, Jared Schmidt on drums and backing vocals, Greg Indivero on percussion and Ian McGowan on violin.

From the outset, each member of the band knew that things would have to change. They would have to shed the preconceived notions of what they should or should not be. Violin player McGowan would have to become more central to the music, carrying a larger role as rhythm player, while Vilar would have to adjust his style to cover both rhythm and lead on guitar. Schmidt would have to extend his backup vocals. All members would have to take on new responsibilities related to booking and promotion of the band.

Each member has embraced their new roles and responsibilities. Within a month, the band was back in the rehearsal space, writing new music, revamping older songs and making plans to move forward. They soon discovered that the friendship and camaraderie that had bound them together for so long became the touchstone for things to come.

The new music that is emerging is somewhat heavier than previous efforts, while still retaining a definitive Zolopht feel. Each song is a collaborative effort. A member brings in a lyric or a riff and then all the members of the band work through it together to create a finished piece.

In the past, the band would write new music and play it at shows as sort of a gauge to determine what worked and what didn’t work. The end result was that when an album was released, the product was polished and professional but ultimately didn’t really hold any surprises for the audience.

This time is different. While new music is being played at shows along with older Zolopht standards, the music that will be recorded is being held close to the vest. No one outside the band is privy to these songs.

“It’s really difficult to keep it to yourself,” says Indivero. “You get together and practice these songs, and you have it running around in your head and you want to share it. I lay there at night and think, we (the band) are the only people on Earth thinking about this music right now.”

The band’s first show back was at the Blood Brother’s Fundraiser on June 13, 2021. Being a relatively casual setting, the band was able to do the show the way they wanted with no pressure and the opportunity to get feedback from the audience. This was Zolopht, but a new Zolopht. “It feels like reconnecting with old friends that you haven’t talked to in a long time,” Ray said.

Through all of this, each member of the band has discovered that, both individually and as a group, they are able to mold themselves to any situation, any setting, any change. That, more than anything, is where the band finds its footing.

“Some of my most cherished experiences on this planet have been with these guys. Even if we had to hang up our hats tomorrow, I will always be eternally grateful for what these guys have given me. It has been more than 10 years, and we are still discovering what we are capable of,” Mueck shares.

Zolopht albums are available to stream on Spotify, Ph Balanced, Flexor and Fishbowl. zolophtmusic.com

Originally published in the Spring 2022 of Spoke+Blossom.

Zolopht: Finding A Way Forward