Zachary Wayne Farro (born June 4, 1990)[6] is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Paramore. He is the younger brother of Josh Farro, who was Paramore's former lead guitarist and backing vocalist. After he and his brother exited Paramore in 2010, Josh formed a band named Novel American, which Zac was also a part of. Farro is currently the sole member of the band HalfNoise. Farro rejoined Paramore in 2016.[7]
Zac Farro | |
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![]() Farro performing in 2023 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Zachary Wayne Farro |
Born | Voorhees Township, New Jersey, U.S. | June 4, 1990
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2004–present |
Member of | |
Formerly of | Novel American |
Website | zacfarro |
Early life
editFarro was born in Voorhees Township, New Jersey.[8] Farro is the middle child of five siblings (Nate, Joshua, himself, Jonathan, and Isabelle) and is of Italian descent. Farro began playing drums at around the age of nine, and he was eleven years old when he played his first drum kit. The family later moved to Franklin, Tennessee.
Career
editParamore (2004–2010, 2017–present)
editFarro, at age 14, was a founding member of Paramore, created in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004. The lineup included Hayley Williams (lead vocals/keyboards), Farro (drums), his older brother Josh Farro (lead guitar and backing vocals), and Jeremy Davis (bass guitar). Jeremy Davis admitted he was initially unsure if the band could be taken seriously because of Zac's young age until he saw him play.[9] The band released three studio albums, All We Know Is Falling, Riot! and Brand New Eyes, as well as two live albums and one EP. Brand New Eyes, their third album, was released on September 29, 2009. In June 2009, the band welcomed Taylor York (rhythm guitar), a long time friend of the Farros' and who previously played with them as a touring member. On December 18, 2010, the band's website announced the Farros' amicable departure. On December 21, 2010, Josh Farro released an official exit statement for himself and his brother, refuting the band's previous story.[10]
On June 8, 2016, Paramore posted a short video of themselves, with Farro, in a studio to their social media.[11] This was preceded by a number of images which all included both Farro and producer of the upcoming Paramore album Justin Meldal-Johnsen,[12] leading fans and various media outlets to speculate the return of Farro.[13] Farro later clarified that he was only recording drums for the album and that he had not rejoined the band as a full member.[14] On August 12, in a podcast for Billboard, he commented that the most important thing to him was to reignite his friendship with the band and that being in the studio together "felt like [Farro and Paramore] haven't skipped a beat."[15] Despite initially mentioning that he was only participating in the recording of their fifth album, it was confirmed on February 2, 2017, that Farro was back as the official drummer in the band.[16]
He has also performed the songs 'Scooby's in the Back', 'French Class', and 'All That Love Is' by his band HalfNoise at various Paramore gigs with Hayley doing back up vocals.
HalfNoise (2010–present)
editTwo days after his departure from Paramore, Zac took part in a new project band called "Tunnel", releasing a new song called "Hide Your Eyes". The duo then renamed themselves "HalfNoise" due to other bands being named "Tunnel".[17] The band featured Farro (drums, vocals) and Jason Clark (guitar, vocals).[18][19]
HalfNoise released its first single Mountain May 29, 2014. Farro also announced an album, Volcano Crowe, released on September 30, 2014.[20]
HalfNoise released the single "Know The Feeling" on June 9, 2016, and later released a music video for the single June 23, 2016, directed by Aaron Joseph.[21]
Novel American (2011–2014)
editJosh Farro founded the band Novel American with former Cecil Adora members Van Beasley, Ryan Clark and Tyler Ward briefly after his departure from Paramore[22][23] and the group announced plans to record an EP as well as play local venues in the near future.[24]
On February 22, 2011, the band announced Zac Farro would replace Tyler Ward on drums.[24]
On May 23, 2014, Novel American was scrapped because the band could not find a suitable lead vocalist.[25]
Other Work
editIn 2020 he produced the album The Greatest Part by Becca Mancari.[26] He went to collaborate with them again in their 2023 album Left Hand. [27]
Also in 2020, he released a photography book called In Transit.[28]
Farro started, and runs, an indie record label called Congrats that is based in Nashville and supports local artists.[29]
Musical influences
editFarro has stated that some of his influences include: Jimmy Eat World, Radiohead, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Death Cab for Cutie, Mew, Paper Route, Sigur Rós, Thrice, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dave Grohl and Múm.[30]
Personal life
editFarro currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.[5][31]
Discography
editExtended plays
- Zafari - EP (2020)
With Paramore
edit- All We Know Is Falling (2005)
- Riot! (2007)
- Brand New Eyes (2009)
- After Laughter (2017)[32]
- This Is Why (2023)
With HalfNoise
editStudio albums
edit- Volcano Crowe (2014)
- Sudden Feeling (2016)
- Natural Disguise (2019)
- Motif (2021)
- City Talk (2023)
Extended plays
edit- HalfNoise (2012)
- The Velvet Face EP (2017)
- Flowerss (2018)
Singles
edit- "Free the House" (2012)
- "Mountain" (2014)
- "Hurricane Love" (2014)
- "Inside" (2015)
- "Know the Feeling" (2016)
- "In the Summer" (2016)
- "Sudden Feeling" (2016)
- "French Class" (2017)
- "Scooby's in the Back" (2017)
- "Flowerss" (2018)
- "All That Love Is" (2018)
- "Who Could You Be" (2019)
- "Boogie Juice" (2019)
- "Natural Disguise" (2019)
- "Two Of Us" (2021)
- "Superstition" (2021)
- "Last Day On Earth" (2021)
- "Baby" (2023)
Demos
edit- "Don't Lie to Me" (2010)
- "Hide Your Eyes" (2010)
- "Erase Me" (2011)
Equipment
editFarro went through a multitude of different drum and cymbal endorsements throughout his career, with Promark sticks and Remo drum heads being consistent parts of his set. Farro used and was endorsed by custom drum company Truth Drums paired with Meinl cymbals, until his departure from the group in 2010. When Farro rejoined the group in 2017, he used and endorsed drums by Gretsch paired with Zildjian cymbals.[33]
In October 2022, Farro was spotted using a yellow Vistalite kit from drum company Ludwig paired with Istanbul Agop cymbals. Endorsements for both companies were later announced a month later.
References
edit- ^ a b "HalfNoise". sputnikmusic.
- ^ Sharp, Tyler (July 26, 2015). "Paramore's debut album, 'All We Know Is Falling,' turns 10". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Leahey, Andrew. "Paramore Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ "HALFNOISE - "Know the Feeling" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. June 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Paulson, Dave. "Interview: Zac Farro on Halfnoise & Paramore's new album". tennessean. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ "Today's celebrity birthdays list (June 4, 2017)". cleveland. June 4, 2017.
- ^ "Rejoice, Paramore Fans: Drummer Zac Farro Is Back in the Band". Billboard.
- ^ Condran, Ed. "Paramore movin' up, just not movin' out", Bucks County Courier Times, February 25, 2006. Accessed March 17, 2011. "The Farro brothers who were born in Voorhees NJ met Williams four years ago."
- ^ Josh Farro; Bob Krenchaw; Jeremy Davis (July 14, 2007). "Interview With Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by cathyreay. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
- ^ Bhamra, Satvir (December 22, 2010). "Josh and Zac Farro post statement". Josh Farro. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
- ^ "Instagram video by Paramore • Jun 8, 2016 at 10:29pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Paramore (@paramore) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "What are Paramore do".
- ^ "Zac Farro Confirms He's On The New Paramore Album - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ "Zac Farro On Paramore: "I'm So Thankful That I'm Playing On The Album" - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Payne, Chris (February 2, 2017). "Rejoice, Paramore Fans: Drummer Zac Farro Is Back in the Band". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ "tunnelmusic's sounds on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free". Soundcloud.com. December 9, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ "tunnelmusic's sounds on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free". Soundcloud.com. December 9, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ "Listen to a song from the new band of Zac Farro - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ "Hayley Williams Speaks Up About Ex-Paramore Drummer's New Video". mtv. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014.
- ^ Howard, Katelyn (September 9, 2016). "[Album Review] Halfnoise – 'Sudden Feeling'". thedailylistening. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ Montgomery, James (December 18, 2010). "Paramore Confirm Farro Brothers Have Left Band". MTV. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ Leahey, Andrew. "Paramore Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "Ex-Paramore members Zac and Josh Farro joins forces for new band". NME. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "TwitLonger — When you talk too much for Twitter".
- ^ "Becca Mancari On Collaborating With Zac Farro, Fishing With Brittany Howard & How A Series Of Threatening Letters Gave Her A Perfect Pop Song".
- ^ "Interview: Becca Mancari".
- ^ ""In Transit" Launch Party: A Photo Book by Zac Farro".
- ^ "congrats records official website".
- ^ "HalfNoise's Bio". last.fm. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ "ELKE on Instagram: "Can and will do everything w you. Happy birthday @zacfarro. You are so loved the same way you give your love so meaningfully. Feel lucky just to bare witness let alone have you as my person."". Instagram. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Zac Farro Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "Zac Farro Equipboard". Equipboard.