tUnE-yArDs

Merrill Gabus and tUnE-yArDs developed a reputation for the strength of their live performances during 2011 and it’s completely deserved. The brainchild of Gabus and Nate Brenner, tUnE-yArDs combine strong vocals, folk, reggae, blues, pop, a horn section and a ukulele, then layer it all up with drum loops. They played in Hobart last week at the Theatre Royal as part of MONA FOMA, and I raced to the merch table to snap up both CDs and haven’t stopped playing them.

Gabus entered the stage solo and began making noises reminiscent of the ‘shouts’ performed by slaves in America pre-1865. These shouts were unstructured melodies made up from raw emotion that followed a beat lead by dancers – amazing stuff. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Gabus spent time teaching singing in Kenya. And whilst the entire performance was captivating, it was her incredible voice that was central to everything. Part Nina Simone with a dash of KD Lang, it is her quirkiness and sense of rhythm that gives her an edge.

The drums were then introduced, recorded and looped back so that new sounds and beats were layered upon it. Nate Brenner – who co wrote many of the songs on the second album, whokill – joined in with his bass, providing a fat and punchy bottom end that managed to complement the constant change in beat and genre perfectly. A great horn section rounded out the band and managed to infuse even more rhythmic punctuation.

The beat, the voice, the energy of this performance reached through your body and made it impossible not to move; I wasn’t the only one dancing in my seat. And with all of this movement and talent competing for space, lesser mortals would find it difficult to pull it together into something greater than the sum of its parts. However, that’s exactly what happened thanks to the tightness of the band and the strength of Gabus’ voice. It’s an exhilarating yet smooth ride that builds excitement. The band also has one hell of a good time: it’s infectious and makes it impossible to take yourself too seriously.

Some of the songs seemed familiar but I didn’t know where from. Some after-show research told me that the song ‘Fiya’ is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch, and the better known ‘Gangsta’ has been used in the television show The Good Wife.

What a gift it was to see this band. What a greater treat to be given it for free as part of the MONA FOMA festival. Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls raved about this festival and I agree: Brian Ritchie has done a great job.

If tUnE-yArDs are coming to a town near you, make sure you go. Failing that ‘do yourself a favour’ and get their latest album.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

tUnE-yArDs
Theatre Royal, Hobart
January 21, 2012