Yumi Zouma have always been a band that exists slightly outside the usual rules of geography. Formed in Aotearoa but now scattered across multiple continents, the quartet have spent more than a decade figuring out how to make distance part of their creative DNA rather than an obstacle. The result has been one of indie music’s most quietly consistent catalogues: shimmering dream-pop giving way over time to something bolder, sharper, and more emotionally direct.
Their fifth album, No Love Lost To Kindness, released in January, marks the clearest turning point yet. Written across multiple cities and recorded in Mexico City, the record sees the band deliberately push away from the soft-focus textures that defined earlier releases, leaning instead into heavier guitars, bigger hooks, and a more unfiltered emotional core. It’s the sound of a band more than a decade into its life, still evolving but now confident enough to embrace friction, experimentation, and honesty.
The record arrives as Yumi Zouma prepare for another run of international touring and reflect on how their unusual long-distance dynamic has shaped both their music and their friendships. Guitarist/bassist and keyboardist Charlie Ryder spoke with Rolling Stone AU/NZ Deputy Editor Conor Lochrie about the new album, the shifting creative priorities that come with longevity, and how a band spread across the globe continues to find ways to reconnect in the studio and on stage.
Congrats on the new album! It really is fantastic.
Thank you!
Are you pleased with fans’ reaction to it since it came out?
Super stoked! We never really know how a record will land when it’s a little bit different to your previous stuff, but it seems really well-loved so far. It’s interesting seeing people connect to different songs than the ones you expect in their own ways, finding messages or lyrics or audio moments that mean something to them.
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What themes did you explore on this album?
Taking everything to the extreme in terms of sonics, recording, writing etc. Having fun, not caring too much about the cohesiveness of stuff anymore.
How does it differ to Present Tense?
Present Tense is very polished and orchestrated, with a whole heap of additional players on it. We still love it in all its lushness, but for this album we wanted something a bit more powerful and visceral.
What other acts were you listening to a lot while recording this album?
A while bunch of late 90s and early 2000s alternative rock and grunge, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Garbage, Placebo, Courtney Love, Hole, Silverchair, Shihad, Stellar*, Tadpole, Republica, Elsastica, Blur, Zed etc
Do you have a favourite track? Impossible to pick?!
Can’t pick between your children! We all have different faves at different times. The last song “Waiting For The Cards” to fall is a good one — probably the slowest song we’ve ever done.
The long-distance aspect of your band is so fascinating. It wouldn’t work for every band! How do you think you’ve made it work so successfully?
The long-distance helps! Every time we meet up it’s a great occasion! Something we look forward to throughout the year. But it does mean we can’t tour or do things like make music videos or shoot press pics as much as we’d like to!
What’s the best thing about making music together long-distance? And what’s the most frustrating thing
The best thing is sending someone a track and having them work on it overnight and then getting back something incredible! The most frustrating thing is sending someone a track and having them work on it overnight and then getting back something terrible.
Because most of you are spread overseas, have you found your band’s fanbase exists more abroad than at home? Or have you always had your core fanbase in Aotearoa?
Definitely, but it’s probably more a consequence of us always being signed to North American record labels than because of where we live. I think there definitely is a core base back home, but our biggest crowds are in the US.
Do you ever see yourselves moving back to NZ to make a future record?
Not moving, but definitely as part of the process — we always include time in NZ with every record. This one included stops in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, and I think we’ll continue on that basis.
How has your relationship as musicians changed over the past decade and a bit? Have you grown stronger as a unit?
It’s changed in so many ways, but I think a key element is that we value the relationship more than anything else now, whereas previously we were a bit more focused on doing whatever it took to grow the band. We’re at the point now where the most important part is staying friends and having a great time.
Are you looking forward to your North American tour? Is this your first headline tour over there?
Yes, super excited! We’ve been headlining in the US since 2014 so we’re old hats at it now, but every record brings with it new moments and challenges — it’s always fun to try out a new set list.
And Europe too! So glad you’re going to play my hometown of Glasgow. The Garage is an iconic venue. (We also have the best crowds, just saying.) What made you choose the wonderful Vera Ellen as your support act?
Fantastic! We love playing in Glasgow, we always have a great time. We saw Vera play at Camp A Low Hum in 2024 and loved it, so we were super excited to tour together!
We do a series on Rolling Stone called ‘Musicians on Musicians’, in which we pair together great acts like yourself who love each other’s work. If we could pair you with one other Kiwi band, past or present, who would it be?
The Mint Chicks.
Lastly, what else is on the horizon? Any local tour dates?
They are on the horizon but not yet in the diary yet! We will do Asia and Australasia later in the year and then get going on the next record!
Yumi Zouma’s ‘No Love Lost To Kindness’ is out now.
