Green Tamborine

The song "Green Tambourine" by Split Window from their album Altitude has become a favorite among the Zoo Freaks, the dedicated listeners of THE ZOO radio station, where the hippie DJ collective Zoo Crew spins its psychedelic grooves. In a 2023 interview with Psychedelic Scene Magazine, Split Window’s lead vocalist, Maya Quinn, shared that the song was inspired by a thrift store find—a vintage tambourine painted green, which she stumbled upon during a road trip through New Mexico. The tambourine, Quinn said, “felt like it had stories to tell,” and it became the centerpiece of the song’s jangly, retro vibe. The band recorded the track in a single take at a small studio in Taos, capturing a raw, live energy that Quinn described as “like catching lightning in a bottle.”

On Instagram, Split Window posted a behind-the-scenes video in 2024 showing the band jamming to "Green Tambourine" during a late-night session, with drummer Leo Cruz using the actual green tambourine as a prop. The post sparked a flood of comments from fans, including one Zoo Freak who claimed to have tattooed a green tambourine on their arm after hearing the song on THE ZOO. The band also shared on X that the song’s lyrics, which reference “dancing under starlight,” were inspired by a spontaneous desert rave they attended during the Altitude recording sessions. This connection to the counterculture scene resonates deeply with the Zoo Crew’s ethos, making the song a staple in their playlists.

Split Window’s journey began in 2018 in Austin, Texas, where the band members—vocalist Maya Quinn, guitarist Sam Rivera, bassist Tara Lowe, and drummer Leo Cruz—met at an open mic night hosted at a vegan café. According to their bio on their official website, the four bonded over a shared love for 1960s psych-rock and modern indie sounds, naming their band after the iconic split-window design of vintage Volkswagen buses, a nod to their free-spirited, nomadic lifestyle. They started gigging at local dive bars, often traveling in a refurbished 1972 VW bus painted with psychedelic murals. By 2019, they had self-released their debut EP, Road Dust, which caught the attention of indie radio stations like THE ZOO.

The band’s breakthrough came in 2021 when they crowdfunded their first full-length album, Horizon Bloom, through fan support on platforms like Facebook. Their Facebook fan group, Split Window Freaks, with over 5,000 members, became a hub for fans to share concert photos, cover art, and stories of meeting the band at festivals. The group’s moderators, who call themselves “Freak Chiefs,” organize virtual listening parties for new releases, including Altitude. Split Window’s commitment to engaging with fans extends to their X account, where they often respond to Zoo Freaks’ requests for "Green Tambourine" shout-outs during THE ZOO’s live broadcasts.

Beyond social media, Split Window has cultivated a grassroots following through fan-driven initiatives. The fan website Split Window Fandom features a detailed discography, tour archives, and fan art inspired by songs like "Green Tambourine." The site also hosts a forum where Zoo Freaks discuss the band’s influences, from The Lemon Pipers to Tame Impala. Split Window’s presence on Instagram showcases their DIY aesthetic, with posts of hand-painted posters and clips of impromptu street performances. Their Facebook page regularly updates tour dates and shares fan covers of "Green Tambourine," fostering a sense of community that aligns with the Zoo Crew’s inclusive, eclectic vibe.