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For Zach Deputy, looping knows no bounds
By John Benson
Go figure, Zach Deputy has made a career as a looping musician playing island-infused drum n’ bass gospel and soul.
“It’s kind of what I do,” laughed Deputy, calling from Albuquerque, N.M.
The looping part of Deputy’s performance, which began in earnest as a way for him to play gigs without a backing band, is simple as he layers one instrument or sound (drums, guitar, etc.) on top of another and another until a fully realized song emerges. Despite the unique presentation, it’s the style of music he’s playing that often turns the most heads.
The performer is steeped in roots rock but incessantly digresses with hints of soul, Calypso, dancehall, hip-hop, Motown and more. Now Deputy said his musical exploration has ventured into West African, funk, gospel and blues.
“I’m kind of strange; I’m kind of American in a way,” he said. “Some people say America has no culture. I’d say America has more culture than any other country because we celebrate all cultures. Growing up, I played so many different kinds of music. It’s hard to put a finger on what I do exactly but I think people recognize no matter what I’m doing there’s always soul in my music.”
Such is the case with Deputy’s 2011 effort “Another Day,” as well as an upcoming new album due out later this year or in early 2016. In talking to the Georgia-based artist about his career, it seems as though his recordings are based more around happenstance.
Take for instance “Another Day,” which was a collection of personal songs that he didn’t give stage time but still wanted recorded for posterity. Next thing Deputy knew, the album helped him grow a cult following that has been begging for new material for years.
The same happenstance theme continues on the new studio effort, which actually finds Deputy returning to a band dynamic. The only reason Zach Deputy and The Hashtags exists is because someone gave the singer-guitarist free studio time. So he invited some friends to hang out in the studio and record tunes for the fun of it.
“We ended up making an album that I wrote and we recorded in two days,” Deputy said. “Almost everything on it is fresh. The joining element is that it always has soul but this album is way different by far. It’s a very raw, organic, live feel album with a band.”
An example of where Deputy’s headed stylistically on the new project is the band’s cover of The Police’s song “Walking on the Moon,” which Deputy said he reworked into a funk standard that sounds like something from James Brown.
Fans attending Vexfest this Sunday in downtown Youngstown – which Deputy is headlining – will get to hear the cover.
Deputy said he’s also looking forward to returning to Northeast Ohio.
“I remember playing at a wings place [Ace’s Wild Wings in Boardman],” Deputy said. “I’ve always liked Youngstown. I have a great time.
“I’m still amazed that my music does so well. Like we just finished a West Coast tour. I don’t know what it is about my music that so many people know about my music so far from home. It blows my mind. Go figure.”