South By Zero is a Manchester based indie band, blending mainstream pop with elements of folk and rock. The genesis of SBZ dates back to 2020, with school friends Matt Bawtree and George Burton forming ’South By Zero’ as a duo. The then 16 year-olds quickly began performing together in their home towns on the south coast of England, co-writing songs about the teenage experiences and first loves with two guitars and endless vocal harmonies, Matt and George established the original SBZ sound. 

After moving to Manchester in 2021 to study at BIMM University (British and Irish institute of Modern Music), the duo joined forces with bassist Elias (Brick) Roper and drummer Tomas (Faz) Farrington and quickly began gaining traction as a 4-piece, performing in well-established venues across Manchester. 

The band released their debut EP in 2022 titled ‘Between These Walls’, described as ‘exciting and charming’ with a ‘competence and a creativity that will no doubt appeal en masse’ by new music critic Sad Boy Semantics.

In late 2022, bassist Brick departed the band to continue working for his family amusement park, ‘Rainbow Park’, in Hunstanton. Wanting a change of dynamic and sound, the 3 remaining members decided to invite Emma Halpin in the group as a vocalist and keys player shortly after, being announced as an official member in January of 2023. 

Now the four members, each blending their own personal tastes and talents, are becoming an unstoppable musical force in the Manchester music scene. Headline shows from the band have been described as ‘fantastic’ by ‘One Love Records’ (2023).  With many great influences from bands such as ‘Fleetwood Mac’, ‘Talking Heads’ and ‘The 1975’, South By Zero are looking forward to releasing many more songs out into the world as they continue to work together limitlessly.

Remember,

There’s Only One SBZ.

May 2023.

Followers of I Wanstall