The Disappearance Of Zoe
Whatever happened to Zoë?
Despite her two albums, I know very little about the woman. Even resources online provide little insight. What I have discovered is that the England-born Zoë Pollock (who performed under her first name) released two albums in the nineties: 1992’s Scarlet Red And Blue and 1996’s Hammer - and then she just seemed to disappear.
Zoë’s debut, Scarlet Red And Blue was released on M&G in 1992 and featured the single, ‘Sunshine On A Rainy Day,’ which became a European smash a year prior. Other singles failed to perpetuate its success and the record flopped.
Scarlet sounds dated now with its synthesized arrangements, but at the time, it was a fairly strong effort from an otherwise unknown artist .
Four years later, after reported clashes with her record label and producers, Zoë worked alongside producer Youth (Heather Nova) and wrote the songs that would eventually be released her sophomore record, Hammer with RCA.
Hammer’s tone is considerably more harsh and gritty than Scarlet, both in sound and lyrics. Some speculate this is the result of the break-up between Zoë and Youth during recording. Still, it’s a better record than her debut. Gone was the insipid pop and in came a much more powerful collection of songs that blended rock, folk and even Celtic sounds. The title song possesses a driving force of thumping percussion which correlates well with its apt title, while delivering some lyrical rage: “If I had a hammer/I’d hit you on the head/I wouldn’t stop the poundin’ ’til I knew that you were dead.”
Hammer could categorize itself next to releases by Alanis Morissette or Sinead O’Connor. But perhaps this is ultimately why the record went nowhere, as it was released during the onslaught of female singer-songwriters hoping to find a place next to Morissette’s debut juggernaut, Jagged Little Pill.
Now, nearly a decade after Hammer’s release, I have no idea what Zoë is up to. Perhaps there was a third record. Maybe she quit music altogether. If someone out there knows anything, enlighten us, would you?
Update
Zoë is back and is recording new music after a twelve-year hiatus! To read more of the details, click here
Hello! I`m Fernando. I want know about you I wait your answer.
I only want talk.
Sorry my mail is this. Ihave a mistake.
Also for I don`t know speak english very good.
Good job.
I have no idea about the above-a mySpace search for Zoe has proved fruitless- i have a copy of Hammer and its a very strong recoed even today-it sounds to me almost like the precurssor to the verves `urban hymns` also produced by youth much around the same period .
She lives in Penzance, Cornwall, and is married to Murray Lachlan Young - the famous performance poet.
She has a son with Murray.
Thanks for the update, Cornishman. Zoë continues to be of interest to people, as this post can attest to.
Does anyone know if she’s involved in music anymore?
Hello Zoe
Can please to send me one your autograph
picture?.My address is Silvo Macek,Matije Gupca
67 Strahoninec,40000 Cakovec-Croatia.
According to Murray Lachlan Young’s wesbite, he and Zoe have two sons.
just heard sunshine’ on the radio and searched zoe, very informative. Im in cornwall a fair bit so will keep an eye out. is it me or do those foreign blokes get everywhere looking for a random bride? lol
rikgear
Sun shine on a rainy day was an awesome song that i enjoyed listening to when i was 15. I hope she resurfaces and does a few more.
Sunshine on a rainy day Is in my Fav top 10 tracks of all time (Im 49) and I was soooo disappointed not to hear more. I thought zoe would go on to make major stardom Along side artiste like Madonna…..What Happened!!!! Thought she had one of the Best voices in pop at the time!