Tunng
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
Experimental folk, folktronica
Status:
Most recent release, Songs You Make At Night (2018)
See also:
Tunng's site
Comparisons:
Really no one is quite like them, but there are some similarities to Psapp
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Tunng is an experimental folk band. There's a strong touch of psychedelic folk in their sound but also electronica. And while they're experimental, their music is also extremely catchy. Tunng is never less than brilliant. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Any—they're all good
Recordings:
- this is... tunng: mother's daughter and other songs (2005/2006 in U.S.)
- The Pioneers ep (2005)
- Comments of the inner chorus (2006)
- Good Arrows (2007)
- ...And Then We Saw Land (2010)
- This is Tunng... Live from the BBC (live, 2011) (live, 2011)
- Turbines (2013)
- Songs You Make At Night (2018)
this is... tunng: mother's daughter and other songs
Release info:
2005 (original release); 2006—Acue fu (U.S.)—036
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Guest artists:
Dave Lewis Lloy—cello (4)
Becky Jacobs—vocals (1)
The Shaston Criers—backing vocals (10)
Produced by:
Mike Lindsay
Comments:
I was hooked on this band's sound from the moment I first heard this CD. Funky, folky, catchy, unique...quirky for certain, but still inviting. (Neile)
The Pioneers
Release info:
2005—static caravan—van 99
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for Tunng fans
Produced by:
Mike Linsay and Sam Genders
Comments:
This has three tracks: "The Pioneers" (a Bloc Party cover which doesn't appear elsewhere), "Tale from Black" which appears on this is... tunng: mother's daughter and other songs, "pool beneath the pond" which appears to be only released here, and the "Fair Doreen" video (a song from this is... tunng: mother's daughter and other songs). I was glad to have this for the two tracks that don't appear elsewhere and the video is a dark but charming animation by Megan Majewski, reminiscent of Tim Burton's works. (Neile)
Comments of the inner chorus
Release info:
2006—Full Time Hobby—fth019cd
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Mike Lindsay—guitars, noises, vocals
Sam Genders—guitars, vocals
Ashley Bates—Spanish guitar, bowed banjo, bocals
Phill Winters—sampler, inspiration, effects
Becky Jacobs—vocals, melodica
Martin Smith—beads, reeds, bells, shells, bones, stones
Dave Lewis Lloyd—cello
Sefa—harp
Detta—flute
Produced by:
Mike Lindsay
Comments:
While this album includes bits of spoken word and lots of unusual instrumentation as well as quirky lyrics and melodies, it's not at all difficult listening hour. It's charming and harmonic and just delightful. (Neile)
Good Arrows
Release info:
2007—Full Time Hobby (U.K.)/Thrill Jockey Records (U.S.)—Thrill 190
Availability:
Wide in U.S. and U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Mike Lindsay—acoutic guitars, electric guitars, hammer dulcimer, vocals, synths, beat makers
Sam Genders—acoustic guitars, vocals
Martin Smith—percussion, clarinet, melodica, melody harp, piano, kalimba
Phil Winter—synths, electric bass, noises, samples
Becky Jacobs—vocals
Ashely Bates—Spanish guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Dave LEwis Lloyd—cello (8)
Produced by:
Mike Lindsay
Comments:
One of my favourite albums of 2007. This is such fun, but serious fun. Each of the songs have a one-word title, e.g. "Bricks" Bullets" "Soup" and each song has a similar strange focus. What is this magic? Something to do with the perfect imperfect timing. The song, "String" takes me apart and makes me feel like a bit of string myself. A wonderful album and highly recommended. (Neile)One of my favorites of 2007. (gordoja@optonline.net)
...And Then We Saw Land
Release info:
2010—Full Time Hobby (U.K.)—FTH088CD, Thrill Jockey (U.S.)—THRILL242
Availability:
Wide in U.S. and U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Sam Genders
Mike Lindsay
Phil Winter—electronics and samples
Martin Smith—exotic percussion
Ashley Bates—banjos, guitars
Becky Jacobs—vocals, harmony vocals, melodica
Guest artists:
Sarah Campbell—alto horn
Gareth Bailey—trombone
Rich Ooliquun—trumpet
Produced by:
Mike Lindsay
Comments:
It's marvellous, as usual, a wonderful and as always eclectic album. This has moments ranging from the delicate to the anthemic. Sometimes in the same song (e.g "Don't Look Down or Back"). I would say this is their best album yet except I love the others so very much. Let's just say this is another wonderful and highly recommended album. If you like the quirky at all, you need this album. (Neile)One of my top albums of 2010. (gordoja@optonline.net)
This is Tunng... Live from the BBC
Release info:
2011—BBC/Full Time Hobby—5060246122152
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for Tunng fans
Group members:
As above
Guest artists:
Tinariwen
Produced by:
Miti Adhikari, Sara Carter (1, 2); Miti Adhikari, Guy Worth (3, 8, 10); Simon Askew, Jerry Smith (5, 11); Adnrew Smilie (6, 7); George Tomas, Nick Scripps (9)
Comments:
A compilation of their live tracks for the BBC. Most are quite like the recorded versions, but this also includes a track with Tiniariwen, and some lovely variations. Any Tunng fan will enjoy this. Anyone who isn't a Tunng fan owes it to themselves to check them out—and this isn't a bad place to start. (Neile)
Turbines
Release info:
2013—Full Time Hobby—FTH170CD
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Mike Lindsay, Becky Jacobs, Ashley Bates, Philip Winter, Martin Smith, Simon Glenister
Produced by:
Mike Lindsay
Comments:
I adore this band, and this is a wonderful addition to their oeuvre. It sounds very much like their previous albums—with the exception of one track, "Trip Trap," which is a back-and-forth male-female duet that sounds like Tunng-does-The XX. Highly recommended for anyone who likes music that is just a little off the usual path. Their sound may be quirkly but it's highly melodic and catchy. (Neile)
