The singer of the capital’s finest pagan indie band Tapir! catches us up on their year making and listening to music.

Over this year, Tapir! have stepped out of the shadows to become favourites on London’s live scene, noted for their charming tunes and mysterious red masks. After several months where it seemed as though they were playing at least twice a week, the group broke into the festival scene, making it to Green Man via their ‘Rising’ competition.

They also released their first singles, including the outstanding ‘My God’, which evolves the mood of the likes of The Replacements, as well as the understated floor-filler ‘On a Grassy Knoll’. We loved their debut EP, ‘Act I’, which introduced a concept trilogy that is to be fleshed out across two more EPs as well as a series of visual artworks. Having most recently been sighted at End of the Road’s Christmas party, they seem set to take 2023 by storm.

The Year with Tapir!

Ike: Hoh hoh hard of hearing meery chrumbo…

Highlights of the Year

We released the first EP from our current project alongside a launch show at The George Tavern. It was our first time performing as a full band and allowed to explore the more theatrical aspect to our music. It is our home and is where we feel comfortable developing our sets! It was also a privilege to share the stage with Clara Mann, Sculpture and Oscar Browne – some of our favourite artists in London! 

We also played the Big Green Man – Our first festival outing! We had the stage managers son accompany us on stage for some backup dancing whilst wearing a cardboard box on his head. 

Albums of the Year 

Ugly Season by Perfume Genius  

There it isn’t by The Last Whole Earth Catalog 

The Ruby Cord by Richard Dawson 

Also, not from this year but something that has really helped me get through it – Live From CarnEGGy Hall By Orriel Smith

Song of the Year

Fairy in the night by james chapeskie

Favourite Live Show

Get Up Stand Up: the Bob Marley musical! 

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