https://zig-music.com

"Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space" is the new album from Milwaukee artist, Zig. It tackles death, life, and embracing joy within the absurdity of the human experience. Follow the "behind the track" link in each song to learn about each individual song.
After many years in the Seattle music scene Zig has made a long sought return to his roots in Milwaukee and is beyond excited to release the new album in his new old town. 
He has performed under many monikers, and after a few years of musical hibernation returns with his most complete album to date. Rebranded and refreshed, this marks the beginning of a new era for the musician.
Latin grooves, raw acoustic songs, one Gainsbourg-inspired storysong, and finger picked blues with gospel harmonies are just a few highlights of a musically expansive album centered around Zig's voice and lyrics.

Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space

The title track to the 2024 Zig album, "Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space" is an existential walk-thru of the modern complexities that have led so many of us to overwhelm. The chorus finds release from the human burden of meaning and purpose; your freedom is already granted, here, now, within. Being a big brained ape on a rock in space is not easy, but recognizing that you are one is enough to bring us to the awe we need and seek.

Quiet My Soul is a self-talk song, reminding the singer "don't get too high, don't get too low." Protect the seeds you believe in, find the quiet in your soul.

Quiet My Soul

"Been Played The Fool" is a unique, atypical Latin groove for a singer songwriter, yet it captures the complex feeling of being compelled to something or someone you can't have. The conundrum of being attracted to that which is out of your reach, which will leave you on the out, being played the fool. But sometimes it's worth looking like a fool.

Been Played The Fool

"Send For Me" is a love song and a question. Who will hold you in their arms when your day is done? I say "send for me", I'll come running from anywhere, anytime. But there's also that question we all have: who is gonna ride with me to the very end? Can we really expect that? If we don't get that, exactly as we envision it, can that be ok? Can we hold in our hearts always, knowing our loved ones love us and we love them back?
A lot of questions. Thankfully I think there's an answer that emerges after asking them all. This song is a journey through that question that ends with a suspension, leaving you with a the question hanging in the air, allowing you space for an answer.

Send For Me

This track speaks for itself. Raw, one take. The moments that make up a life. Written during a period of great change, starting a family, yet yearning for adventure. The new adventure being the adventure of family and raising a child. The moments that make up a day are never dull. 

Grow With Me

Sometimes all you need is a night together. All of joys of life are right there. Simple.

Give Me Your Room, Give Me Tonight

Musically inspired by Elvis' gospel harmonies. Lyrically inspired by my time in Ghana, where there is a tradition of coffin making that reflects something of the character of a person's life. They will make a huge coffin that looks like a car for a taxi driver. It's worth going down an internet rabbit hole to learn about. "Going Over Jordan In A Cadillac" was inspired by the idea of crossing over to the next world in style. It's also about moving through this world, this short time we have, with flair and joy. My friend Joey shares my environmental values and concerns and was referenced in the song. He would give me crap for using a gas guzzler as a metaphor, but c'mon Joe, let's have some fun.

Going Over Jordan In A Cadillac

Inspired by Serge Gainsbourg, Prince and Beck. A story song about Davey, a dancer whose impromptu dancing on a street in Paris is noticed by a woman at a nearby cafe. Complimenting his beautiful feet (en Francaise) she leads him to a club where they dance, then picnic along the Seine. She takes him home where he sustains numerous injuries during their evening escapade, but he is happier than he's ever been. "Oh, Mon Petit Chou" is "oh, my little cabbage", a term of endearment in French.

Why We Gotta Wait All Night

Why We Gonna Wait All Night?

This song is about turning your middle aged daily grind into a game. Turn that receding hairline and those fine wrinkles into a heightened 007 drama where you try and thrive through the maze of your day. You can't fight time. You can't do much. You get down on your knees, you pray. You don't fight the river, you jump in for the ride. 

Can't Push A River

This is a tribute track to my mother, Mary Lou Zuege, who passed in 2023. I had the privilege of being her son and being by her side through a precipitous and difficult transition from this world. She was a salt of the earth woman, with a prodigious intelligence and omnivorous curiosity. She grew up in rural Wisconsin and lived an incredible life. She was a champion of those who weren't dealt an easy hand and worked tirelessly to help the underserved. This track is in honor of her life and attitude. 

Walking In The Light (For Mary Lou)

This track is the acoustic version of the title track and shares most of the same lyrics. They sandwich the record. In this version, instead of speaking of the pressure we put on ourselves, the final statement is "being big brained apes on a rock in space sounds pretty great to me." Do we really need an embellished story of a being who thinks we are the most important crowning achievement of all creation, or can we just look at where we are with absolute wonder. If there is a creator, maybe that's all they ask - "look at my creation, enjoy it, enjoy being able to appreciate it - isn't it incredible that you are on this bountiful, lush rock in the middle of endless space?"