Zookeeper

Chris Simpson, formerly the lead singer of the short-lived yet influential 1990s emo outfit Mineral and also of the shoegaze group the Gloria Record, channels his efforts mainly through the indie pop project known as Zookeeper. An array of players, drawn from both his earlier musical associates and participants in the Sad Accordions—fellow artists on the same label—help shape the project's broad sonic palette, which incorporates horns, tambourines, and honky tonk piano. Simpson gathered these musicians in an Austin recording facility to lay down a collection of relaxed, lively tracks, resulting in Zookeeper's initial releases: the self-titled EP that came out via Belle City Pop! in November 2006, a label run by Brian Malone who had drummed for the Gloria Record, followed by the album Becoming All Things the subsequent year.