-
Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs) explains how her previous career as a puppeteer impacted her performance style. (Aaron Epstein)
Merrill Garbus is the performer and multi-instrumentalist behind tUnE-yArDs — a music project that blends African-inspired rhythms and vocals with electric bass and saxophone. But she only discovered music after a failed career as a puppeteer. She tells Kurt Andersen she found musical inspiration as a student living in Africa; her mother’s ukelele, purchased at an Army-Navy store, helped her to take the plunge.
Watch tUnE-yArDs perform songs from the album w h o k i l l below.
(Originally aired: June 3, 2011)
Video: tUnE-yArDs performs "Gangsta"
Video: tUnE-yArDs performs "You Yes You"
Video: tUnE-yArDs performs "Bizness"
Guests:
Merrill Garbus
Featured Comments
-
In medical school i was never taught the 'art' of medicine or given the opportunity as a resident to write ...
-
One more aspect to admire about Sendak - in addition to his refined draftsmanship, his tone that mixes humor, irony, ...
Comments [2]
Spectacular. I couldn't cartch the name so I came here to look them up, next I will be checking out Amazon to se how I can order their CD. Anyway, somebody pointed out Fela, also a little Johnny Cleg and Philip Glass. That said, they are very original and striking. Its exciting to discover something so fresh and fun.
A lot of five college-ers on the show today (Hampshire/Smith). I especially liked the song "Bizness." It had a nice Fela Kuti kind of groove.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.