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Tapir!

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Tapir!, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 202516 sources
Tapir!
Company typeMusic group
IndustryMusic
Founded2019 in London, England
Defunct27 May 2025
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

Tapir! was an English indie folk ensemble established in London in 2019, recognized for their fusion of folk with elements of post-punk and art pop, as well as their unique red papier-mâché masks worn during live shows.

Their initial release was the single "My God" in 2022, succeeded by two EPs titled Act 1 (The Pilgrim) and Act 2 (Their God). These EPs were later incorporated into their only full-length record, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain, which debuted on 26 January 2024 to favorable critical reception. In 2024, they issued the singles "Hallelujah Bruv" and "Nail in a Wooden Trunk" before officially announcing their breakup on 27 May 2025.

Acclaimed for their unconventional visual style and storytelling through music, the album The Pilgrim chronicles the journey of its namesake character amid landscapes of verdant hills and crimson creatures. Their songwriting draws inspiration from biblical narratives, mythology, and literary works, with reviewers likening their sound to folk artistry and pagan ritualistic influences.

Career

Comprising six musicians based in South London who were active in various other projects, Tapir! came together in 2019. They released "My God," a track conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the EP Act 1 (The Pilgrim) in 2022. Both releases were reissued after the band signed with Heavenly Recordings in May 2023.

The group began performing live in 2022, supporting acts such as Ian Sweet and appearing at the Green Man Festival. In 2023, their appearances included the Left of the Dial festival and an opening slot for Explosions in the Sky at Troxy.

Their sole album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain, launched in January 2024, consists of three segments: their two earlier EPs plus four new tracks exclusive to this release. Each segment is introduced by narration from Kyle Field. The record tells the story of "The Pilgrim" navigating a mythical realm, described by DIY as "an escapist dream and immersive story."

During August and September 2024, Tapir! unveiled the singles "Hallelujah Bruv" and "Nail in a Wooden Trunk," both produced in collaboration with Yuri Shibuichi and Hywel Pryer.

On 27 May 2025, Tapir! declared their dissolution, citing fulfillment of their creative ambitions along with personal circumstances such as vocalist Evelyn Gray’s gender transition journey and members’ shifting life priorities.

Musical style and reception

According to Clash, Tapir! merges post-punk with folk, intertwining indie elements with dynamic electronic sounds to create an art pop aesthetic. Circuit Sweet lauded the track "Gymnopédie" for its "glorious lo-fi symphony." Angelika May from Hideous Magazine emphasized the complexity and mystique within "My God." Lloyd Bolton of Hard of Hearing Magazine likened the visual approach on their 2022 Act 1 release to folk art traditions, evoking imagery reminiscent of a fictional pagan ritual.

While electronic drums predominantly feature in Tapir!'s soundscapes,[1] they incorporated a live drummer for performances.[2] The lyrics on Act 2 incorporate references from biblical texts, mythology, and literature, including a piece inspired by Walt Whitman titled "Eidolon".[3] The band’s signature red papier-mâché masks—representing the Pilgrim figure—were a key element both on stage and across their online presence.[4][5][6]

Members

Information sourced from PIAS and Wax Music.[7][2]

  • Evelyn Gray[8][9] – lead vocals and guitar
  • Ronnie Longfellow – bass guitar
  • Emily Hubbard – cornet and synthesizers
  • Tom Rogers-Coltman – guitar
  • Will McCrossan – keyboards
  • Wilfred Cartwright – drums and cello

Albums

EPs

  • Act 1 (The Pilgrim) (initially 2022, reissued 2023)[11]
  • Act 2 (Their God) (2023)[3]

Singles

  • "My God" (original release 2022, reissued 2023)[12][13]
  • "On a Grassy Knoll (We'll Bow Together)" (2023)[11]
  • "Gymnopédie" (2023)[14]
  • "Hallelujah Bruv" (2024)[15]
  • "Nail in a Wooden Trunk" (2024)[16]
  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named brightongig2022
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named waxinterview2023
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lineaug2023
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named giittjan2024
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named diyinterviewoct2023
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named clunkinterview2023
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named piasfeb2024
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named disbanding
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named disbandinginstagram
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named linejan2024
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named linemay2023
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named youngfeb2022
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named hideousoct2023
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named circuitaug2023
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lineaug2024
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dorksep2024
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