“Ms. Garbus has a ferocious voice, somewhere between Aretha Franklin and
Yoko Ono. At times it’s a roar, and at times it’s coy, but her ability to modulate
it show off a rhythmic and artistic intelligence that echoes Bjork, and even to a
degree M.I.A.” - New York Times
The brainchild of Merrill Garbus, tUnE-yArDs began life as dictaphone recordings which were then
painstakingly mixed down on GarageBand to create the opening gambit, her debut album BiRd-BrAiNs.
Initially released on a limited LP run through Marriage records with screenprinted sleeves recycled from
thrift store bargain bins, it wasn't long until others took notice and she soon signed a worldwide deal with
4AD. The album was formally released in late-2009, having been remastered and with four more tracks
added. The Guardian, whilst awarding it 5/5, called her "the find of the year." In 2011, that rings as true.
Alongside the record, she also started to build quite a reputation for her live performances. Using loop
pedals, two mics, a snare drum, a ukelele, her distinctive voice (she's spent time teaching singing in
Kenya) and crucially, a second band member, Nate Brenner on bass. Together, things started to happen
when they took to the road with kindred spirits, the Dirty Projectors, on both their US and European
tours. As word of mouth spread, the venues they were playing in were filling up earlier than usual as
people heard of their genius. Anyone who has seen them live will attest to them being nothing short of
incredible live. It comes as no surprise then that at this year's SXSW, they were one of the biggest draws.
The new album, w h o k i l l, was released on April 18th on 4AD and marks a time when everything came
together in to one cohesive whole. Recorded in a studio and influenced heavily by her moving to Oakland,
California, she and Nate have made an album that delivers on her early promise. Lyrically Garbus
explores constructs of femininity and sexuality
with the threat of violence that lurks on the streets where she now lives, while the energy of their show has
been translated perfectly to record.
