{{Short description|English indie folk band (2019–2025)}} {{Good article}} {{Use list-defined references|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = group_or_band | name = | image = Tapir! op het Valkhof Festival 2023 02 (cropped).jpg | landscape = yes | alt = Tapir! play music on a stage in front of a crowd, lit by blue lights. | caption = Tapir! performing in July 2023 | alias = | origin = London, England | genre = {{flatlist| * Folk * indie folk * art pop}} | discography = | years_active = 2019–2025 | label = Heavenly | current_members = * Evelyn Gray * Ronnie Longfellow * Emily Hubbard * Tom Rogers-Coltman * Will McCrossan * Wilfred Cartwright | website = {{URL|https://tapirband.co.uk/}} }} '''Tapir!''' were an English indie folk band, formed in London in 2019. They were known for their blending of folk music with genres such as post-punk and art pop, as well as the narratives told in their music. Their practice of wearing red papier-mâché heads during performances and interviews was often noted by reviewers as part of the band's eccentricity.
Tapir! formed in 2019, and released their first single, "My God", in 2022. They then released two EPs, ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' and ''Act 2 (Their God)''. Both EPs were included in their only full-length album, ''The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'', released on 26 January 2024; the album received generally positive reviews. They released two more singles - "Hallelujah Bruv" and "Nail in a Wooden Trunk" - in 2024, before announcing on 27 May 2025 that they would be disbanding.
Tapir! have been praised for their eccentricity and overall aesthetic, as well as the narratives included in their music. ''The Pilgrim'' tells the story of the titular Pilgrim travelling through a world of green hills and red beasts, and was described by ''DIY'' as "an escapist dream, and immersive story". Their music has been compared to folk art and pagan ceremonies; many aspects of their lyrics were inspired by biblical, mythical, and literary sources.
== Career == Tapir! consisted of six musicians based in South London,<ref name="circuitaug2023" /><ref name="piasfeb2024" /> many of whom were a part of other projects.<ref name="clashmay2023" /> The band formed in 2019 and began releasing music three years later;<ref name="piasfeb2024" /> they released "My God", written during the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref name="lineoct2023" /> as their first single,<ref name="youngfeb2022" /> and the EP ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' in 2022.<ref name="linemay2023" /> These were both later re-released, with "My God" becoming a single for their first album<ref name="lineoct2023" /> and ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' being remastered and re-released to coincide with the signing of the band to Heavenly Recordings in May 2023.<ref name="linemay2023" />
Tapir! began playing live shows in 2022, opening for Ian Sweet in May.<ref name="gracemay2022" /> In August, they performed at Green Man Festival.<ref name="piasfeb2024" /><ref name="greenman2022" /> In March 2023, they were announced as part of the October Left of the Dial festival.<ref name="giittmar2023" /> On 8 November, Tapir! opened a concert for post-rock band Explosions in the Sky at Troxy.<ref name="troxynov2023" />
Tapir!'s only album, ''The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'', was released on 26 January 2024.<ref name="giittjan2024" /> It is composed of three acts:<ref name="linejan2024" /><ref name="pitchforkwinter2024" /> their two previous EPs – ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' and ''Act 2 (Their God)'' – plus four songs in a third act exclusive to the full album.<ref name="giittjan2024" /> The first song of each act contains narration by Kyle Field.<ref name="giittjan2024" /> The album tells the story of "The Pilgrim",<ref name="giittjan2024" /><ref name="piasfeb2024" /><ref name="brightongig2022" /> a creature travelling through a fictional world of green hills and red beasts.<ref name="youngfeb2022" /><ref name="brightongig2022" /><ref name="diyinterviewoct2023" /> The album was described by ''DIY'' as "immersed in the cinematic, the mythological and the art of experimenting... an escapist dream, and immersive story".<ref name="diyjan2024" />
On 15 August 2024, Tapir! released a new track, "Hallelujah Bruv". It was recorded with Yuri Shibuichi and Hywel Pryer, who had previously worked with the band.<ref name="lineaug2024" /> On 17 September, they released the single "Nail in a Wooden Trunk".<ref name="dorksep2024" /><ref name="linesep2024" />
On 27 May 2025, Tapir! announced that they would be disbanding, stating that they had "completed the project that [they] set out to achieve and then some".<ref name="disbanding" /> They stated that part of the reason for disbanding was so that the band's vocalist, Evelyn Gray, could focus on their gender transition,<ref name="disbandinginstagram" /> and that many of the band members were "at different stages of [their] lives from when [they] first began the band".<ref name="disbanding" />
== Musical style and reception == ''Clash'' describes Tapir! as "blend[ing] post-punk with folk, indie with skittering electronics" and as art pop.<ref name="clashmay2023" /> Describing the track "Gymnopédie", ''Circuit Sweet'' called its climax "a glorious lo-fi symphony that sounds like it's performed teetering on the edge of a cliff".<ref name="circuitaug2023" /> Writing for ''Hideous Magazine'', Angelika May wrote of the song "My God" that it "exudes an abundance of esotericism and eccentricity, offering intricate and thorough conceptions that make you want to crack open their crimson, mammalian heads in an attempt to understand their process".<ref name="hideousoct2023" /> In a review of the 2022 version of ''Act 1'' for ''Hard of Hearing Magazine'', Lloyd Bolton compared the music's aesthetic to folk art, saying "amid the crackle, artless singalongs create the impression of a fictional pagan ceremony, celebrating the folklore of this imaginary region".<ref name="hohsep2022" />
Many of the drums in Tapir!'s music are electronic,<ref name="brightongig2022" /> although they did have a drummer when playing live.<ref name="waxinterview2023" /> Much of the lyrical inspiration on ''Act 2'' is from biblical, mythical, and literary sources, such as the track "Eidolon" being inspired by a Walt Whitman poem.<ref name="lineaug2023" /> The band often wore red papier-mâché heads online and for live performances,<ref name="giittjan2024" /><ref name="diyinterviewoct2023" /> representing the character of the Pilgrim.<ref name="diyinterviewoct2023" /><ref name="clunkinterview2023" />
== Members == All info per PIAS and Wax Music.<ref name="piasfeb2024" /><ref name="waxinterview2023" /> * Evelyn Gray<ref name="disbanding" /><ref name="disbandinginstagram" /> – vocals, guitar * Ronnie Longfellow – bass guitar * Emily Hubbard – cornet, synths * Tom Rogers-Coltman – guitar * Will McCrossan – keyboard * Wilfred Cartwright – drums, cello
== Discography == === Albums === * ''The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain'' (2024)<ref name="linejan2024" />
=== EPs === * ''Act 1 (The Pilgrim)'' (2022, re-released 2023)<ref name="linemay2023" /> * ''Act 2 (Their God)'' (2023)<ref name="lineaug2023" />
=== Singles === * "My God" (2022, re-released 2023)<ref name="youngfeb2022" /><ref name="hideousoct2023" /> * "On a Grassy Knoll (We'll Bow Together)" (2023)<ref name="linemay2023" /> * "Gymnopédie" (2023)<ref name="circuitaug2023" /> * "Hallelujah Bruv" (2024)<ref name="lineaug2024" /> * "Nail in a Wooden Trunk" (2024)<ref name="dorksep2024" />
== References == <references>
<ref name="youngfeb2022">{{cite web |last1=Thirlwell |first1=Elvis |title=Tapir! Share Debut Single 'My God' |url=https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/ |website=So Young Magazine |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=17 February 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="gracemay2022">{{cite news |title=Ian Sweet |url=https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/ |website=The Grace |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=26 May 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040532/https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="brightongig2022">{{cite news |title=Get out your 'Sunnbrella' and put on that vintage dress |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/ |work=Brighton and Hove News |date=1 August 2022 |last1=Linazasoro |first1=Nick |access-date=26 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="giittmar2023">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Julia |title=NEWS: Left Of The Dial Continues To Add To Its Impressive Line-up For October Festival |url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/24/news-left-of-the-dial-continues-to-add-to-its-impressive-line-up-for-october-festival/ |website=God Is In The TV |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=24 March 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040530/https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/24/news-left-of-the-dial-continues-to-add-to-its-impressive-line-up-for-october-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="linemay2023">{{cite web |title=London-based band Tapir! sign to Heavenly Records |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records |website=The Line of Best Fit |date=30 May 2023 |access-date=26 January 2024 |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="clashmay2023">{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Robin |title=Tapir! Sign To Heavenly Recordings, Line Up New EP |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/ |website=Clash Magazine |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=31 May 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="circuitaug2023">{{cite web |title=Tapir! Share New Single & Video "Gymnopédie" & Release EP "Act 2 (Their God)" Out Via Heavenly Recordings |url=https://circuitsweet.co.uk/2023/08/tapir-share-new-single-video-gymnopedie-release-ep-act-2-their-god-out-via-heavenly-recordings/ |website=Circuit Sweet |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=30 August 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042130/https://circuitsweet.co.uk/2023/08/tapir-share-new-single-video-gymnopedie-release-ep-act-2-their-god-out-via-heavenly-recordings/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="lineaug2023">{{cite web |title=Tapir! unveil the brand new EP, Act 2 (Their God) |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=29 August 2023 |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="lineoct2023">{{cite web |title=Tapir! announce their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=24 October 2023 |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |url-status=live}}</ref> <!--<ref name="diylistoct2023">{{cite web |last1=Chatterton |first1=Caitlin |last2=Carter |first2=Daisy |last3=Savage |first3=Emily |last4=Taylor |first4=Ims |last5=Wright |first5=Lisa |last6=Tempo |first6=Millie |last7=Jamieson |first7=Sarah |title=The Neu Bulletin (Tapir!, Cosmorat, Sarah Meth and more!) |url=https://diymag.com/feature/the-neu-bulletin-tapir-cosmorat-sarah-meth |website=DIY |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=27 October 2023}}</ref> --> <!-- unused but could be useful --> <ref name="diyinterviewoct2023">{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Daisy |title=Tapir!: "this project is very much alive" |url=https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023 |website=DIY |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=27 October 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108093656/https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="troxynov2023">{{cite web |title=Explosions In The Sky |url=https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/ |website=Troxy |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=26 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="diyjan2024">{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Neive |title=Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |website=DIY |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=24 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126184742/https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="giittjan2024">{{cite web |last1=Stark |first1=Emily |title=Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God, And The King Of My Decrepit Mountain (Heavenly Recordings) |url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2024/01/22/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-heavenly-recordings/ |website=God Is In The TV |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=22 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2024/01/22/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-heavenly-recordings/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="linejan2024">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |title=Tapir! present their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=26 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126125331/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="hideousoct2023">{{cite web |last1=May |first1=Angelika |title=Tapir! tease debut album with single 'My God' |url=https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god |website=Hideous Mink Records |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="clunkinterview2023">{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=George |title=Tapir! On Mythology, Multimedia and Exclamation Marks |url=https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks |website=Clunk Magazine |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301005922/https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks/?v=7516fd43adaa |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="waxinterview2023">{{cite web |last1=Cross |first1=Reuben |title=End of the Road 2023: A vintage weekend from a five-star festival |url=https://waxmusicuk.com/2023/09/11/end-of-the-road-2023-a-vintage-weekend-from-a-five-star-festival/ |website=Wax Music |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201705/https://waxmusicuk.com/2023/09/11/end-of-the-road-2023-a-vintage-weekend-from-a-five-star-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="hohsep2022">{{cite web |last1=Bolton |first1=Lloyd |title=Indie Rock as Pagan Folk Art: 'Act I' grants us access to the extended universe of Tapir! |url=https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/ |website=Hard of Hearing |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="piasfeb2024">{{cite web |title=The debut album from Tapir! has finally arrived |url=https://www.pias.com/tapir-debut-album/ |website=PIAS |access-date=5 March 2024 |date=1 February 2024}}</ref> <ref name="greenman2022">{{cite news |last1=Linazasoro |first1=Nick |title=Green Man Festival celebrates 20th anniversary |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/26/green-man-festival-celebrates-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Brighton and Hove News |date=26 August 2022}}</ref> <ref name="pitchforkwinter2024">{{cite news |title=18 Great Records You May Have Missed: Winter 2024 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/great-records-you-may-have-missed-winter-2024/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Pitchfork |date=15 May 2024}}</ref> <ref name="lineaug2024">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |title=Tapir! return with the brand new track, "Hallelujah Bruv" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-return-with-the-brand-new-track-hallelujah-bruv |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=15 August 2024 |date=15 August 2024}}</ref> <ref name="dorksep2024">{{cite web |last1=Wescott |first1=Andrew |title=Tapir! share new track 'Nail in a wooden trunk' and announce extensive UK/EU tour |url=https://readdork.com/news/tapir-nail-wooden-trunk-tour/ |website=Dork |access-date=17 September 2024 |date=17 September 2024}}</ref> <ref name="linesep2024">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |title=Tapir! present new single, "Nail In A Wooden Trunk" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-new-single-nail-in-a-wooden-trunk |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=17 September 2024 |date=17 September 2024}}</ref> <ref name="disbanding">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |title=Tapir! announce their decision to "close the curtains" on the project |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-decision-to-close-the-curtains-on-the-project |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=27 May 2025}}</ref> <ref name="disbandinginstagram">{{Cite Instagram |user=tapir_band |postid=DKJ4z6HtgwX |title=Thank you for joining us on this journey, and to those who helped us conquer this mountain, we couldn’t have done it without you xx |date=27 May 2025}}</ref>
</references>
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tapir}} Category:British indie folk groups Category:Musical groups from London Category:Musical groups established in 2019 Category:2019 establishments in England Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2025 Category:2025 disestablishments in England