I was in the media tent when I first heard Merril Garbus open her mouth on the Yeti stage next to me at Sasquatch Music Festival. At first, I couldn’t believe the sound was coming from a woman and when I finally ventured out to see her on stage, I couldn’t believe it was just one woman.
Oakland-based aritst, Merrill Garbus, performs a hodgepodge of DIY music under the moniker, Tune-Yards (spelled out tUnE-yArDs on her album) and is one of the most talented musicians to come out of 2009. It’s just a shame that I only got to see her live once and so much later than I could have. Tune-Yards is a looping smorgasbord of folk, r&b, and experimental beats by way of her drums, microphone stand, ukulele strumming, and mere vowels and consonants. If you don’t have BiRd-BrAiNs yet, I highly suggest going out to your favorite independent record store right now and picking it up. You’re already a year behind! The most amazing part about Tune-Yards? The music sounds even better live than on the recording which is a mighty accomplishment.
Check out “Hatari” (the song I heard done live for the first time) and “Real Live Flesh” (lo-fi r&b at its best) below!
WILD TONIC 