The Zooeys: Lincoln’s Rising Rock Band Shines at Spring Fling 2023

From Craigslist connections to captivating performances, The Zooeys have become a cornerstone of Lincoln, Nebraska’s burgeoning music scene. This rock and roll band, influenced by iconic groups like Coldplay, Radiohead, and The 1975, has carved out a unique sound that resonates with fans. The lineup features Zooey Rudd on lead vocals and guitar, Cole Yeager on drums, John Douglas on bass, and Cody Hagen on guitar. Ahead of their Spring Fling 2023 performance at The Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska, on March 31, we sat down with The Zooeys for an exclusive Q&A to explore their journey, influences, and what fans can expect from their live shows.

How The Zooeys Formed: A Craigslist Origin Story

The Zooeys’ story began in an unexpected place: Craigslist. Drummer Cole Yeager shared, “I met Zooey through the Craigslist back pages. I was looking for love and bought a guitar instead, and the rest is history.” Guitarist Cody Hagen elaborated, “In fall 2018, Cole and I were jamming to our favorite bands in college. Cole wanted a short-scale bass, found one on Craigslist, and met Zooey. They started working on Zooey’s first album. I joined soon after, and we performed as a three-piece with Zooey on guitar and vocals, me on bass, and Cole on drums. By late summer 2019, we wanted a dedicated bassist so I could switch to guitar. We posted an ad, and John joined us.”

The band members hail from diverse backgrounds. Zooey Rudd grew up in Idaho, spent time in Chicago, and later moved to Lincoln. Cole Yeager relocated from California’s North Bay to Lincoln for college. John Douglas, a Doane University graduate, is from Nebraska, while Cody Hagen is a Lincoln native. Zooey humorously added a fictional twist, “We all turned to a bank robbery on the same day, got to talking while the teller opened the vault, and decided rock and roll was our true calling.”

Spring Fling 2023: A Milestone at The Rococo Theatre

The Zooeys landed their Spring Fling 2023 gig when The Rococo Theatre reached out to organize a local music showcase. Zooey explained, “They contacted us directly, and we were thrilled because it’s such a historic venue. We’ve never played there, and with bands like Parking Lot Party and Distressed Damsels, it’s one of my most anticipated shows.” The March 31 event promised an unforgettable night of Lincoln’s finest talent.

Musical Influences Shaping The Zooeys’ Sound

The Zooeys draw from a wide range of influences, blending genres to create their signature alternative rock sound. Cody Hagen shared, “I started as a pianist with classical music and hymns, then got into metal and punk at 13. Bands like Coldplay, Muse, and The 1975 shaped my style, along with shoegaze, dream pop, and synth wave. For The Zooeys, I pull from Bad Suns, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and The War on Drugs, focusing on ambient guitar parts and synth integration.” His guitar style mirrors Coldplay’s Jonny Buckland, emphasizing atmospheric tones.

Drummer Cole Yeager cited Paramore’s Zac Farro and Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie as key influences, admiring their tight, energetic performances. Bassist John Douglas listens broadly, naming Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chris Cornell, Rihanna, Adele, and Kendrick Lamar. Zooey Rudd’s eclectic tastes include local Nebraska acts like Bad Self Portraits, Garst, and Peachie, alongside mainstream artists.

The Zooeys’ Sound: From Garage Rock to Alternative Fusion

The band’s sound evolved through years of basement jam sessions. Cole humorously noted, “We got our sound from playing in a trap house basement for six years. The musty air addled our brains enough to create our unique Zooeys sound.” Cody added, “As a three-piece, we sounded like garage bands like The Black Keys. With John on bass, our sound grew fuller, blending punk, hip-hop grooves, shoegaze ambiance, and indie pop riffs. We’re broadly alternative but always aim to break genre expectations.”

Songwriting Process: Discovering the Music

The Zooeys’ songwriting is collaborative and organic. Zooey described it poetically, “It’s like Michelangelo seeing the angel in the marble. I don’t write songs; I discover them, ancient and weathered. Every song should be about everything, exploring every direction in its universe.” Cody explained, “Zooey or I bring a riff or song skeleton, and we jam around it. I’ll take it to my studio, adding synths, weird guitar parts, or orchestral elements.” Cole often sets the rhythm early, tweaking his drum parts as the song develops.

Live Performances: Energy and Versatility

The Zooeys tailor their live shows to the venue. Cody shared, “At smaller venues, we lean into our garage band roots, stripping back textures to rock out. At larger shows like Spring Fling, we use backing tracks for synths and reverb-heavy shoegaze elements, matching our recorded sound.” Cole channels Bill O’Reilly’s “WE’LL DO IT LIVE!” energy, while John aims to “leave it all out there.” Fans can expect a dynamic, emotional experience, as Zooey likened their shows to “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, minus John Lennon in the crowd.”

Lincoln’s Music Scene and Ice Cream Obsession

The Zooeys are proud ambassadors of Lincoln’s vibrant music scene. Cody shouted out The Credentials, comparing their grunge sound to Nirvana, while Zooey praised local acts like Uh Oh and Saving Fiona. Beyond music, the band loves Lincoln’s ice cream culture. Zooey admitted, “I’m probably forcing the ice cream thing on the others. Sugar’s how I feel my feelings. Lincoln and Omaha have amazing ice cream.” John prefers 402 Creamery’s quirky flavors, while Cole remains indifferent to the dessert.

Advice for Aspiring Musicians

For young musicians starting a band, The Zooeys offered practical wisdom. Cole emphasized, “Practice to a metronome. It’s monotonous, but knowing your material cold lets you add flair on stage.” Cody advised, “Find musicians you vibe with, learn multiple instruments, and study audio engineering to develop your recorded sound.” Zooey urged, “Be humble, listen, and be authentic. If your authenticity feels basic, dig deeper.” John kept it simple: “Just do it. Collaborate and take chances.”

Spring Fling 2023 Details

Tickets for Spring Fling 2023 at The Rococo Theatre on March 31, 2023, are available at the door. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the show starting at 7:00 p.m. This all-ages event has a clear bag policy. Don’t miss The Zooeys, Parking Lot Party, and Distressed Damsels in this celebration of Lincoln’s alternative rock scene.