Zebra Therapy, a pair of seemingly unrelated words, could not be a more fitting title for the soothing indie-pop-rock cover band whose origins sprang from spontaneity. Presented with two prompts by Boston Latin School music teacher Mr. Dennison Blackett, Catherine Cox (II) produced the official name that would champion a beloved medley of BLS student musicians.
With the idea for “Zebra Therapy” and her alto saxophone skills in tow, Cox recruited fellow musicians whom she participated in jam sessions with. Eventually, what began as a few casual get-togethers morphed into a full-fledged band. Alongside Cox are Frank Ferraro (II) and John Harvey (III) on drums, Kyle Vo (II) and Olivia Huynh (II) on guitar, Carina Szocik (II) on keys, and Mark Snekvik (II) and Jonah Roy (II) on tenor saxophone. Each member takes on varying roles, dabbling in vocals in addition to their principal instrument.
Despite their similar passions, carving out rehearsal time is especially difficult with their busy BLS schedules. The band dedicates many of their W blocks to band practice, a welcome respite from the hectic rush of morning classes.
Performances, however, pose an even greater challenge. Due to scheduling conflicts, official band appearances will often feature different member lineups. “We’re like a collective,” Vo quips.
As the school’s resident indie band, Zebra Therapy can often be found performing at events such as Asian Night or Tet Festival. Recently, they delivered a beautifully mellow rendition of The 1975’s “About You” at BLS Asian Students in Action (A.S.I.A.)’s Holiday Sing-Off.
A fan since their debut, Ava Vu (II) shares, “They’re very versatile, too, because you want to get up and dance even if it’s […] a sad song. That’s how I feel when I listen to them.”
Whether bonding over shared performance anxiety, last-minute auditions or balancing musical roles, Zebra Therapy has certainly found a reliable group dynamic in navigating the unfamiliarity of ensemble playing. Finding a middle ground is especially vital for a group that encompasses such a wide range of volume capacity. With the reverberating electric guitar against their quieter keyboard, each member must create their own space while accommodating others.
For Szocik, making the adjustment from jazzy Big Band tunes to the slower melodies of indie pop and rock was challenging at first. She remarks, “I remember very specifically […] our first rehearsal when we played because before that, I played jazz in the BLS Dues Band, and [so] that was my first time playing in an indie-rock band.”
Even so, the band members have adjusted well to one another since their formation. Their resilience shines in their ability to adapt different songs to each member’s instrument. As Vo explains, “There are songs where we have to create parts since it may not feature our specific instruments. We want to incorporate everyone.”
This endeavor includes transcripting individual parts and transposing songs into different keys or improvising solo parts, allowing the band to incorporate their own musical touches.
Looking to expand outside of BLS, the band is eager to perform at citywide music events such as the Jamaica Plain Porchfest and possibly even record some of their own originals. But for the time being, we have them all to ourselves.
Zebra Therapy’s nostalgic feel sounds like the perfect post-exam remedy to kick off the new term. Be sure to look out for their next appearance at the upcoming Tet Festival on February 16 hosted by BLS Vietnamese Students Society!