Renegade Zoo Rocks Inclusivity with Alt-Pop Vibes and Big Dreams

Renegade Zoo is an alternative pop band from Londonderry that is making a big impact with their music and their message of inclusivity. The band is made up of ten members, all of whom are students at the Tuned In Project, a creative arts program for young adults with learning disabilities. Renegade Zoo describes themselves as a group of neurodivergent and physically diverse musicians, which means that some members have different ways of thinking or moving, but they all share a passion for music.

This year has been especially exciting for Renegade Zoo. They released their debut album, Eyes on the Road, which features twelve tracks that show off their unique style of alt-pop. After the album launch at Derry's New Gate Arts and Culture Centre, the band performed at the Foyle Maritime Festival and then took the stage at the Stendhal Festival. These performances were major highlights for the group, giving them the chance to share their music with bigger audiences and gain more confidence as performers.

Donna Marie Duddy, known as DM, is one of the band's rappers. She says that Renegade Zoo is about not putting limits on themselves and about building friendships through music. Before joining the band, DM didn't have much experience with songwriting, but now she enjoys writing lyrics, even though she finds melodies a bit more challenging. Sarah Jane Murray, or SJ, is another member who sings and plays percussion. She says that the album launch was one of her favorite moments because she loved seeing people dance to the songs they created. SJ also enjoys the songwriting process, especially when the band comes up with new ideas together during rehearsals.

Philip Wallace, known as Wally, is the music media teacher at the Tuned In Project and helped bring the band together. He noticed that several students played different instruments, and once they started meeting regularly, they realized they could form a band. Wally believes that being in Renegade Zoo has helped the students grow in confidence and develop their self-esteem. He says that music gives the students a way to express themselves and make sure their voices are heard. Wally is proud of the effort the band puts into writing, recording, and performing their music.

Renegade Zoo's music is influenced by many different styles, including rock, pop, alt-country, and hip hop. Their songs are not just about typical topics like romance or break-ups. Instead, they often have positive messages or are just meant to be fun. For example, one of their songs, Waggledance, was inspired by a random conversation about bees. Singer Sorcha Friel says that a Renegade Zoo song either has a great message or is just a bit silly.

After a busy summer, the band is back in the rehearsal room working on new material. Each member has different hopes for the future. DM dreams of a UK tour, while SJ thinks a tour around Northern Ireland might be more realistic. Sorcha simply wants to keep writing new songs and being themselves. Renegade Zoo is a great example of how music can bring people together and help everyone feel included, no matter their background or abilities.