Rising Manchester indie-pop four-piece – SOUTH BY ZERO – have unveiled a striking new video for recent single “Open Arms” (out now).
Recorded by the band and their friends at the Screen and Film School Manchester, the new video sees playful performance shots pitted against more affecting moments of introspection.
Of the new video, the band explain:
“We wanted to create a lot of contrast with this video visually to emphasise the meaning of the song — mixed feelings and wanting to be someone else for the person you love. We had a lot of fun making it!”
A fun-filled slice of plucky and poignant alt-pop that glistens with a breezy charm well beyond their years, “Open Arms” explores the misgivings and misdeeds that come along with navigating the minefield of adolescent relationships.
Blending crisp pop production with lush melodies, confessional lyrics and an infectious, folky feel, South By Zero add that the track is about “still feeling attached to an ex-lover, despite seeing somebody new”
South By Zero are Matt Bawtree (lead vocals/guitar), Tomas Farrington (drums), Emma Halpin (vocals/keys) and George Burton (vocals/guitar/bass). Seamlessly blending mainstream pop with elements of folk and rock, the band’s story began in 2020 when school friends Matt and George started performing together in their South Coast hometowns. Co-writing songs about the teenage experience and the trials and tribulations of first loves, the pair used two guitars and endless vocal harmonies to establish the original South By Zero sound.
After moving to Manchester in 2021, the duo joined forces with Tomas and quickly began playing at well-established venues across the city. South By Zero released their debut EP ‘Behind These Walls’ in 2022 and, after seeking a change in dynamic and sound, invited Emma to join the band at the beginning of this year.
Now a four-piece, the band are quickly becoming an unstoppable force on the Manchester music scene with their distinctive alt-pop sound that melds together each of their own personal tastes and talents.Plucking influence from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Talking Heads and The 1975 amongst others, they have played a string of headline shows to-date and have had their live set praised as ‘“fantastic” by One Love Records.
With “Open Arms” marking the beginning of a new chapter for the quartet, fans will also be able to catch them performing live in the UK this Summer. Following a set at Folkestone’s Parkfest earlier this Summer, the band are now sizing up headline shows in Folkestone and Manchester later this year. Fans in the Kent area will also be able to catch South By Zero busking together on the streets of Canterbury throughout the coming weeks (Matt and George’s home town). Find full dates and details below.
SOUTH BY ZERO LIVE DATES
AUGUST
06 FOLKESTONE Harbour Arms Tasting Rooms
OCTOBER
07 MANCHESTER The Deaf Institute Lodge