Zoon Essentials

Textural and transportive, Zoon’s shoegaze compositions radiate emotion even when the lyrics are couched beneath billowing clouds of effects. Born in Selkirk, Manitoba, Daniel Monkman debuted the project in 2020 with the aptly titled single “Vibrant Colours”. Named for an Ojibway word representing courage, Zoon sees the musician reflect on their past struggle with addiction and ongoing reclamation of their Anishinaabe heritage. Monkman has even called Zoon “moccasin-gaze” to call out its signature blend of immersive dream pop with First Nations influences. With similar thoughtfulness, they meditate on corporate-funded chemical dependency across their 2022 EP Big Pharma. Zoon’s first two albums were both nominated for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize, with 2023’s Bekka Ma’iingan (“Slow down wolf”) incorporating several Anishinaabe song titles and Owen Pallett’s flowing string arrangements. Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo guests on the standout instrumental “Niizh Manidoowig (2 spirit)”, which Monkman has said reflects upon both their ancestors and their queerness.