One very packed evening in Times Square – not abnormal for the city that literally never sleeps – an up and coming band called Paper Zoo made their New York debut. They played to a sold out Nokia Theater, opening for the legendary Roger Daltrey of The Who. Paper Zoo, collectively and individually, had never travelled to New York City before, but while this was their first time in the Big Apple, they are accustomed to the big, bright city lights, coming from America’s sister city: L.A. Born and raised West Coaster’s, most of the band have been playing together since they were twelve years old. The trio of Billy (William Thomas Wesley II), Alex (Allister Izen), and Monte (Monte Dyaami Najera) were the original band members while Marty (Martin Lopez), is the newest edition to their composition. Even though Marty has only been playing with the band for the past 4 months, you would have thought him to be one of the original members with how well they mesh together both on and off stage. Altogether, their sound is a fresh take on, and inspired greatly by, The Beatles. iheartthemusic got to sit down and chat with the guys right before their New York debut…

iheartthemusic: So how has the tour been going?

Billy: The tour has been great. We actually kicked off the tour in Vancouver and then made our way over to New York. There are only a couple more stops and then we head home. New York is awesome though. It is everything we thought it would be and more.

iheartthemusic: Do you have any favorite places that you’ve played-on or off the tour?

Paper Zoo: Well, when we were younger we used to play on the boardwalk of Venice Beach, which was always a great time and entertaining to say the least. But we also loved playing The Viper Room in L.A. I think our favorite place that we played on tour was probably The Orpheum (also located in L.A.), or The Paramount in Denver, Colorado. Both of those were pretty sweet.

iheartthemusic: What is the music-making process like for the band? How has your music evolved since you have been together for such a long time?

Paper Zoo: There isn’t really a process that’s specific. Alex is the songwriter, for the most part, and we all contribute to the sound. Our influences come from The Beatles, King Crimson, Soft Machine… There has been SO much that has evolved throughout the years. Every day there’s an evolution.

ihearthemusic: What’s the ultimate goal for Paper Zoo?

Billy: Ultimately, we want to make an impression, become a legend [laughs]. I think that’s what every artist, no matter the medium, wants to do.

Alex: The ultimate goal for the music is to be stylistically polished.

iheartthemusic: So how can fans and fans to be access your music?

Paper Zoo: wearethepaperzoo[dot]com is the website where our music can be accessed and info about us is available.

iheartthemusic: Are there any acknowledgements or last words?

Billy: We would like to thank our moms and Linda Perry.

Alex: Goodbye and thank you so much!

Paper Zoo can definitely be identified with a more psychedelic sound/feeling and with Monte’s great beat and unexpected strength for the drums, the music can go from a lullaby’d, orchestral intermission to rocking out in a pleasantly new and unexpected way.  Check them out next time they are in your city!

Photography provided by Troy Paul

Written and reported by Cahdlah Forsythe