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Zarbo is a musician, artist, producer, and songwriter who has recently made a name for himself in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene. After gaining fame in the 1980s as the founding member, frontman, and bassist of the Canadian power-pop-rock trio Zarbo, alongside Derek Sharp (now the singer for The Guess Who) and Greg Anzelc (drummer-vocalist), Zarbo has been exploring new genres that didn’t exist at the outset of his career.
In 2021, Zarbo remastered and remixed his 1985 8-song LP A-Z Collection, releasing modern EDM and hip-hop remixes of four original Zarbo songs. These songs hit #1 for several weeks on the European Indie Music Charts (EIMC), World Indie Music Charts (WIMC), and the iTunes charts in Canada’s Electronic category, including “Get Up and Dance (Electro Remix),” which currently has over 2 million views on Spotify, and “Correction in Direction (Electro Remix).”
Zarbo’s new and modern sound continues with the release of his early single “They Lie” from the upcoming album “Hindsight is 20/20 Two,” which has also topped #1 position on several independent music charts.
“They Lie” is a great-sounding modern pop track that contains the musical substance needed to satiate many music lovers. It has a strong message at its core, one that aims to confront the often morally corrupt institutions that we are told can be trusted. Zarbo’s song specifically depicts the lies and deceit of a small town in Canada known as Aurora Ontario, whose politicians for many years wreaked havoc on the local citizens surrounding the Town Park. They caused nuisances and loud unneighborly interruptions simply by granting themselves the privilege authority to dictate what the park should be.
As Zarbo stated, “Because they deceived you! And when I say they, I’m referring to your politicians all over the world. We were repeatedly misled about every scientific aspect of a virus that should never have crippled our economy. It was mismanaged, mistakes were made, and no one will take any further responsibility. Again, this is self-granted authority in a world that desperately needs love, understanding, and intelligent thinkers. This has occurred numerous times in our society, both in the past and, sadly, still occurs today.”
Zarbo’s music has not only entertained audiences but also inspired them to think about the world around them. His songs and lyrics encourage his listeners to challenge the status quo and think critically about the world they live in.
Zarbo’s upcoming album “Hindsight is 20/20 Two” features another 8-song LP, including an early release “Outta My Head” which was written during a 28-day retreat in the Dominican Republic, reflecting the softer side of Zarbo’s emotional writing. With his growing influence in the industry, Zarbo hopes to do a small European tour by next year and come back to North America, starting with the US and possibly returning to Canada.
In addition to his musical achievements, Zarbo has recently been asked to be included as a feature on Uptime app, and he has been honored to write articles in magazines such as Music Connection and Metro. These recognitions highlight his growing influence in the music industry.
Zarbo’s success has not come without challenges. As he reflects on his journey, he believes that songwriting begins with your heart – whatever you are feeling. Create from your experiences, your story, and passions with your authentic self, and your songwriting will resonate much more with others. Zarbo also acknowledges the importance of the support staff, including the fantastic musicians, dancers, and DJs he surrounds himself with, his tour managers, stagehands, live sound, and lighting crews, and so on.
Looking to the future, Zarbo is excited about his upcoming album and hopes to do a small European tour by next year and come back to North America, starting with the US and possibly returning to Canada.
As Zarbo continued to speak about the meaning behind “They Lie,” it became apparent that the song is not just a commentary on a small town in Canada, but a reflection of larger societal issues. He explains, “People need to know that they can trust their leaders, but the truth is, they can’t. We need to question authority and not just blindly follow it. We need to hold those in power accountable for their actions.”
Zarbo’s music is not just about creating catchy electronic dance beats; it’s about telling a story and bringing attention to important issues. His music has resonated with audiences around the world and has earned him recognition and accolades in the industry. His songs have topped charts in Europe and Canada, and his latest release “They Lie” has already made a significant impact.
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