Jason Zito’s life was not supposed to be like this. With his first child on the way and only 27 years old, he found himself laid off from his automotive job as a graphic designer for the second time. Zito could have easily crumbled under this predicament, but instead, a feeling of finality took hold of him. He was going to take advantage of his newly obtained free time. Now his music would be the first priority.
“I really wanted to accomplish something special so I dove into being unemployed,” he says. Though Zito was now a statistic politicians and pundits could argue over, he was ready to make something of himself. So he leaned on the one thing many in his position did not have, his musical abilities.
Growing up in a musical family, his Father, Tom Zito, an accomplished local musician, and his Mother, their church’s children choir director, music was a constant variable in his life. Whether it was listening to his father record in their basement studio, or discovering The Beatles, his love for music grew daily.
Adopting the moniker, Jellyeyes, borrowed from King Lear, he locked himself inside his Macomb County home and went to work engineering his first solo project. What resulted was a truly original and eclectic album entitled, (Scary Noises) Gods Stand Up!
The album, which deals with growing up and personal spirituality, is a result of his attempt to define who he is and at the same time provide for his expecting wife and their soon-to-be-born daughter. “This project is different than my previous projects,” says Zito, “Before, I was just another band member, but now, I have a lot more control.”
Tracks such as “Dirty Skirt” flirt with being labeled Power Pop but quickly take a turn towards the experimental. Other tracks like “Chase the Ghost” are so musically complex, it leaves his band members racing between instruments to keep up with the changes.
Zito has the advantage of being familiar with Detroit’s indie rock scene and knowing some of its most prominent acts, most notably The Great Fiction. Jonathon Neme, member of The Great Fiction, provides background vocals and acoustic guitar to Zito’s album. Other members of his band include his two brothers Jon and Paul, and a childhood friend Justin Majewski. The choosing of relatives and close friends reflect his desire to succeed and rely on those he trusts most.
(Scary Noises) Gods Stand Up! is available on iTunes and was premiered at the Crofoot in Pontiac on August 21. As Zito took the stage and prepared for what would be the culmination of all his hard work and dedication, the crowd could not help but hope for his success. If it is one thing this town appreciates, it’s a blue-collar attitude towards anything, even music. This is a characteristic built into all of us and as the music began, and Zito’s voice soared into the air, so did his hopes and prayers.
“I really wanted to accomplish something special so I dove into being unemployed,” he says. Though Zito was now a statistic politicians and pundits could argue over, he was ready to make something of himself. So he leaned on the one thing many in his position did not have, his musical abilities.
Growing up in a musical family, his Father, Tom Zito, an accomplished local musician, and his Mother, their church’s children choir director, music was a constant variable in his life. Whether it was listening to his father record in their basement studio, or discovering The Beatles, his love for music grew daily.
Adopting the moniker, Jellyeyes, borrowed from King Lear, he locked himself inside his Macomb County home and went to work engineering his first solo project. What resulted was a truly original and eclectic album entitled, (Scary Noises) Gods Stand Up!
The album, which deals with growing up and personal spirituality, is a result of his attempt to define who he is and at the same time provide for his expecting wife and their soon-to-be-born daughter. “This project is different than my previous projects,” says Zito, “Before, I was just another band member, but now, I have a lot more control.”
Tracks such as “Dirty Skirt” flirt with being labeled Power Pop but quickly take a turn towards the experimental. Other tracks like “Chase the Ghost” are so musically complex, it leaves his band members racing between instruments to keep up with the changes.
Zito has the advantage of being familiar with Detroit’s indie rock scene and knowing some of its most prominent acts, most notably The Great Fiction. Jonathon Neme, member of The Great Fiction, provides background vocals and acoustic guitar to Zito’s album. Other members of his band include his two brothers Jon and Paul, and a childhood friend Justin Majewski. The choosing of relatives and close friends reflect his desire to succeed and rely on those he trusts most.
(Scary Noises) Gods Stand Up! is available on iTunes and was premiered at the Crofoot in Pontiac on August 21. As Zito took the stage and prepared for what would be the culmination of all his hard work and dedication, the crowd could not help but hope for his success. If it is one thing this town appreciates, it’s a blue-collar attitude towards anything, even music. This is a characteristic built into all of us and as the music began, and Zito’s voice soared into the air, so did his hopes and prayers.
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