Tapir! is a six-piece

indie folk Indie folk is a music genre that arose in the 1990s among musicians from indie rock scenes influenced by folk music. Indie folk hybridizes the acoustic guitar melodies of traditional folk music with contemporary instrumentation. The genre has it ...

band from

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. Known for their blend of genres such as

post-punk Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad genre of punk music that emerged in the late 1970s as musicians departed from punk's traditional elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a variety of avant-garde sensibilities and non-r ...

and

art pop Art pop (also typeset art-pop or artpop) is a loosely defined style of pop music influenced by art theories as well as ideas from other art mediums, such as fashion, fine art, cinema, and avant-garde literature. The genre draws on pop ar ...

, their first album, '' The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'' was released on 26 January 2024.

History

Tapir! is formed of six musicians from London, many of which are a part of other projects. While the band began pre-2020, they only began releasing music in 2022. They released "My God" (their first single, written during the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...

) and the EP ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' in 2022. These were both later re-released, with "My God" becoming a single for their first album and ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' being remastered and re-released to coincide with the signing of the band to

Heavenly Recordings Heavenly Recordings is a London-based independent record label founded by Jeff Barrett in 1990. Heavenly released the first albums from Saint Etienne, Beth Orton and Doves, and early singles by Manic Street Preachers. Current Heavenly artists ...

in May 2023. Tapir! began playing live shows in 2022, opening for

Ian Sweet Jilian Medford, better known by her stage name Ian Sweet, is an American indie rock musician from Los Angeles, California. History As Ian Sweet, Medford has released three full-length albums. The first album, ''Shapeshifter'', was released in ...

in May 2022 and performing at Paper Dress Vintage in August 2022. In March 2023, they were announced as part of the October 2023 Left of the Dial festival. On 8 November 2023, Tapir! opened a concert for

post-rock Post-rock is a form of experimental rock characterized by a focus on exploring textures and timbre over traditional rock song structures, chords, or riffs. Post-rock artists are often instrumental, typically combining rock instrumentation ...

band

Explosions in the Sky Explosions in the Sky is an American post-rock band from Texas. The quartet originally played under the name Breaker Morant, then changed to the current name in 1999. The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their elabora ...

Troxy Troxy is a Grade II-listed Art Deco music venue on Commercial Road in Stepney, London. Built as a cinema in 1933, it closed in 1960 and became a training school for the London Opera Centre. In the 1980s the building was used as a bingo hall, a ...

. Tapir!'s first album, ''The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'', was released on 26 January 2024. It is composed of three acts: their two previous EPs - ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' and ''Act 2 (Their God)'' - as the first two acts, plus four songs in a third act exclusive to the full album. The first song of each act contains narration by

Kyle Field Kyle Field is the American football stadium located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, United States. It has been the home to the Texas A&M Aggies football team in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a permanent con ...

. The album tells the story of "The Pilgrim" or "Pilgrim", a being travelling through a fictional world of green hills and red creatures. The album was described by

DIY "Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and sem ...

as "immersed in the cinematic, the mythological and the art of experimenting... an escapist dream, and immersive story".

Musical style

Clash describes Tapir! as "blend ng

with

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fol ...

indie Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Gaming *Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies *Indie game, any game (board ...

with skittering electronics" and as

. Describing the track "Gymnopédie", Circuit Sweet called its climax "a glorious

lo-fi Lo-fi (also typeset as lofi or low-fi; short for low fidelity) is a music or production quality in which elements usually regarded as imperfections in the context of a recording or performance are present, sometimes as a deliberate choice. The ...

symphony that sounds like it's performed teetering on the edge of a cliff". Writing for Hideous Magazine, Angelika May wrote of the song "My God" that it "exudes an abundance of esotericism and eccentricity, offering intricate and thorough conceptions that make you want to crack open their crimson, mammalian heads in an attempt to understand their process". In a review of the 2022 version of ''Act 1'' for Hard of Hearing Magazine, Lloyd Bolton compared the music's aesthetic to pagan

folk art Folk art covers all forms of visual art made in the context of folk culture. Definitions vary, but generally the objects have practical utility of some kind, rather than being exclusively decorative. The makers of folk art are typically tr ...

, saying "amid the crackle, artless singalongs create the impression of a fictional pagan ceremony, celebrating the folklore of this imaginary region". Many of the drums in Tapir!'s music are electronic, although they do have a drummer when playing live. Much of the lyrical inspiration on ''Act 2'' is from

biblical The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...

, mythical, and literary sources, such as the track "Eidolon" being inspired by a

Walt Whitman Walter Whitman (; May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among ...

poem. The band often wears red

papier-mâché upright=1.3, Mardi Gras papier-mâché masks, Haiti upright=1.3, Papier-mâché Catrinas, traditional figures for day of the dead celebrations in Mexico Papier-mâché (, ; , literally "chewed paper") is a composite material consisting of p ...

heads, representing the character of Pilgrim.

Members

* Ike Gray – vocals, guitar * Ronnie Longfellow – bass guitar * Emily Hubbard –

cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B, though there is also a so ...

, synths * Tom Rogers-Coltman – guitar * Will McCrossan – keyboard * Wilfred Cartwright – drums,

cello The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a Bow (music), bowed (sometimes pizzicato, plucked and occasionally col legno, hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually intonation (music), t ...

Discography

Albums

* '' The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'' (2024)

EPs

* ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' (2022, re-released 2023) * ''Act 2 (Their God)'' (2023)

Singles

* "My God" (2022, re-released 2023) * "On A Grassy Knoll (We'll Bow Together)" (2023) * "Gymnopédie" (2023)

References

{{reflist, refs= {{cite web , last1=Thirlwell , first1=Elvis , title=Tapir! Share Debut Single 'My God' , url=https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/ , website=So Young Magazine , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=17 February 2022 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/ , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Ian Sweet , url=https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/ , website=The Grace , access-date=26 January 2024 , language=en , date=26 May 2022 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040532/https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/ , url-status=live {{cite news , title=Get out your 'Sunnbrella' and put on that vintage dress , url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/ , work=Brighton and Hove News , date=1 August 2022 , last1=Linazasoro , first1=Nick , access-date=26 January 2024 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/ , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Mason , first1=Julia , title=NEWS: Left Of The Dial Continues To Add To Its Impressive Line-up For October Festival , url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/24/news-left-of-the-dial-continues-to-add-to-its-impressive-line-up-for-october-festival/ , website=God Is In The TV , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=24 March 2023 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040530/https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/24/news-left-of-the-dial-continues-to-add-to-its-impressive-line-up-for-october-festival/ , url-status=live {{cite web , title=London-based band Tapir! sign to Heavenly Records , url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records , website=The Line of Best Fit , date=30 May 2023 , access-date=26 January 2024 , last1=Kelly , first1=Tyler Damara , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Murray , first1=Robin , title=Tapir! Sign To Heavenly Recordings, Line Up New EP , url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/ , website=Clash Magazine , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=31 May 2023 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/ , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Tapir! Share New Single & Video "Gymnopédie" & Release EP "Act 2 (Their God)" Out Via Heavenly Recordings , url=https://circuitsweet.co.uk/2023/08/tapir-share-new-single-video-gymnopedie-release-ep-act-2-their-god-out-via-heavenly-recordings/ , website=Circuit Sweet , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=30 August 2023 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042130/https://circuitsweet.co.uk/2023/08/tapir-share-new-single-video-gymnopedie-release-ep-act-2-their-god-out-via-heavenly-recordings/ , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Tapir! unveil the brand new EP, Act 2 (Their God) , url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god , website=The Line of Best Fit , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=29 August 2023 , last1=Kelly , first1=Tyler Damara , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Tapir! announce their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain , url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , website=The Line of Best Fit , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=24 October 2023 , last1=Kelly , first1=Tyler Damara , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Carter , first1=Daisy , title=Tapir!: "this project is very much alive" , url=https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023 , website=DIY , access-date=26 January 2024 , language=en , date=27 October 2023 , archive-date=8 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108093656/https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023 , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Explosions In The Sky , url=https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/ , website=Troxy , date=8 November 2023 , access-date=26 January 2024 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/ , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=McCarthy , first1=Neive , title=Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain , url=https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , website=DIY , access-date=26 January 2024 , language=en , date=24 January 2024 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126184742/https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Stark , first1=Emily , title=Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God, And The King Of My Decrepit Mountain (Heavenly Recordings) , url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2024/01/22/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-heavenly-recordings/ , website=God Is In The TV , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=22 January 2024 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2024/01/22/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-heavenly-recordings/ , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Kelly , first1=Tyler Damara , title=Tapir! present their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain , url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , website=The Line of Best Fit , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=26 January 2024 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126125331/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=May , first1=Angelika , title=Tapir! tease debut album with single 'My God' , url=https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god , website=Hideous Mink Records , access-date=26 January 2024 , language=en , date=25 October 2023 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Ward , first1=George , title=Tapir! On Mythology, Multimedia and Exclamation Marks , url=https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks , website=Clunk Magazine , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=10 October 2023 , archive-date=1 March 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301005922/https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks/?v=7516fd43adaa , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Cross , first1=Reuben , title=End of the Road 2023: A vintage weekend from a five-star festival , url=https://waxmusicuk.com/2023/09/11/end-of-the-road-2023-a-vintage-weekend-from-a-five-star-festival/ , website=Wax Music , access-date=26 January 2024 , date=11 September 2023 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201705/https://waxmusicuk.com/2023/09/11/end-of-the-road-2023-a-vintage-weekend-from-a-five-star-festival/ , url-status=live {{cite web , last1=Bolton , first1=Lloyd , title=Indie Rock as Pagan Folk Art: 'Act I' grants us access to the extended universe of Tapir! , url=https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/ , website=Hard of Hearing , access-date=26 January 2024 , language=en , date=21 September 2022 , archive-date=26 January 2024 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/ , url-status=live British indie folk groups Musical groups from London