tUnE-yArDs

Overview

When researching the background of musical acts you can normally find a few common threads between acts: studied music, early passion for it, et cetera et cetera, but when the history includes pirates, a school exchange to Kenya and puppetry, you start to pay a little more attention.

tUnE-yArDs may be a name foreign to an uneducated few, but it’s definitely adored by a much larger number. It’s a name that brings to mind visions of a big, noisy warehouse party full of eclectic people dancing to loud and raucous music, which is convenient as that’s exactly what her shows are like. And lucky for us, tUnE-yArDs, the acclaimed project of Merril Garbus, will finally be heard live for the first time in Australia this month.

As well as Merril and her magical, minimalist toolbox of instruments – think ukulele, looping pedal and drumstick - tUnE-yArDs also includes a bassist and two saxophone players, and they are all coming to the Powerhouse to promote the band’s sophomore album w h o k i l l.

Well known for their distinctive vocal aptitude and crazy beats, the tUnE-yArDs show will be more like a beatnik’s paradise than a traditional show. They will also be supported on the evening by Outerwaves, Mitzi and DJ Private Velodrome, making it an evening of musical education. Don’t wait to purchase tickets however, as this show is sure to sell out.

Image credit: Ashley Jordan Gordon