Spotlight On: TUNE-YARDS

ABOUT this week’s guest:

There's no denying, these are some challenging times, and it’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of extremes - either of distraction or overwhelming amounts of information.To sum it up in a simple phrase: life is a lot these days. I’m old enough now to have witnessed a few such moments over these decades, and simultaneously, have had the privilege of also witnessing and tuning in to how music mirrors the times, provides a balm, rallies our courage, awakens us, makes us feel seen, speaks truth to power, moves our spirit, and moves our bodies. Over the last nearly two decades we Tune-Yards fans have found all of that and more bursting forth on five albums and live shows full of colorful, rhythmic, eclectic sonic joy, self-examination and outspoken protest songs, delivered with the mind-boggling vocal stylings of Merrill Garbus, soulful and limitless, ranging from playful to a roar, she is a master of her instrument and her words. Now based in oakland california, tune-yards was originally a one-woman band, with songs written by Merrill and performed with loops, pedals, percussion, and a variety of instruments including ukulele. As a child, Merrill Garbus grew up surrounded by a mixture of classical, bluegrass, and early renaissance music. her own musical journey began with english country dance, and piano lessons, then she fell in love with 80’s pop and new york hip hop, and after a period of exploring folk music, acapella singing, theater, and even puppeteering in college, she founded Tune-Yards in montreal with bassist Nate Brenner, Merrill’s long-time collaborator and partner. A lot has happened since their last album, 2021’s Sketchy, including the arrival of the couple’s first child. Alll of this adds up to Tune-Yards’ sixth, fantastic new album Better Dreaming, which we’re here to celebrate today as we welcome back Merrill Garbus as this week’s SHERO in the Spotlight.