# Tapir!

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**Tapir!** were an English [indie folk](/source/Indie_folk) band, formed in [London](/source/London) in 2019. They were known for their blending of folk music with genres such as [post-punk](/source/Post-punk) and [art pop](/source/Art_pop), as well as the narratives told in their music. Their practice of wearing red [papier-mâché](/source/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9) 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](/source/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](/source/DIY_(magazine))* as "an escapist dream, and immersive story". Their music has been compared to [folk art](/source/Folk_art) and [pagan](/source/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](/source/South_London),[1][2] many of whom were a part of other projects.[3] The band formed in 2019 and began releasing music three years later;[2] they released "My God", written during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic),[4] as their first single,[5] and the EP *Act 1 (The Pilgrim)* in 2022.[6] These were both later re-released, with "My God" becoming a single for their first album[4] and *Act 1 (The Pilgrim)* being remastered and re-released to coincide with the signing of the band to [Heavenly Recordings](/source/Heavenly_Recordings) in May 2023.[6]

Tapir! began playing live shows in 2022, opening for [Ian Sweet](/source/Ian_Sweet) in May.[7] In August, they performed at [Green Man Festival](/source/Green_Man_Festival).[2][8] In March 2023, they were announced as part of the October Left of the Dial festival.[9] On 8 November, Tapir! opened a concert for [post-rock](/source/Post-rock) band [Explosions in the Sky](/source/Explosions_in_the_Sky) at [Troxy](/source/Troxy).[10]

Tapir!'s only album, *[The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain](/source/The_Pilgrim,_Their_God_and_the_King_of_My_Decrepit_Mountain)*, was released on 26 January 2024.[11] It is composed of three acts:[12][13] 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.[11] The first song of each act contains narration by [Kyle Field](/source/Kyle_Field_(musician)).[11] The album tells the story of "The Pilgrim",[11][2][14] a creature travelling through a fictional world of green hills and red beasts.[5][14][15] The album was described by *[DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine))* as "immersed in the cinematic, the mythological and the art of experimenting... an escapist dream, and immersive story".[16]

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.[17] On 17 September, they released the single "Nail in a Wooden Trunk".[18][19]

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".[20] They stated that part of the reason for disbanding was so that the band's vocalist, Evelyn Gray, could focus on their [gender transition](/source/Gender_transition),[21] and that many of the band members were "at different stages of [their] lives from when [they] first began the band".[20]

## Musical style and reception

*[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))* describes Tapir! as "blend[ing] [post-punk](/source/Post-punk) with [folk](/source/Folk_music), [indie](/source/Indie_music) with skittering electronics" and as [art pop](/source/Art_pop).[3] Describing the track "Gymnopédie", *Circuit Sweet* called its climax "a glorious [lo-fi](/source/Lo-fi) symphony that sounds like it's performed teetering on the edge of a cliff".[1] 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".[22] 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](/source/Folk_art), saying "amid the crackle, artless singalongs create the impression of a fictional [pagan](/source/Pagan) ceremony, celebrating the folklore of this imaginary region".[23]

Many of the [drums](/source/Drum_kit) in Tapir!'s music are electronic,[14] although they did have a drummer when playing live.[24] Much of the lyrical inspiration on *Act 2* is from [biblical](/source/Biblical), mythical, and literary sources, such as the track "Eidolon" being inspired by a [Walt Whitman](/source/Walt_Whitman) poem.[25] The band often wore red [papier-mâché](/source/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9) heads online and for live performances,[11][15] representing the character of the Pilgrim.[15][26]

## Members

All info per PIAS and Wax Music.[2][24]

- Evelyn Gray[20][21] – vocals, guitar
- Ronnie Longfellow – [bass guitar](/source/Bass_guitar)
- Emily Hubbard – [cornet](/source/Cornet), synths
- Tom Rogers-Coltman – guitar
- Will McCrossan – keyboard
- Wilfred Cartwright – drums, [cello](/source/Cello)

## Discography

### Albums

- *[The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain](/source/The_Pilgrim,_Their_God_and_the_King_of_My_Decrepit_Mountain)* (2024)[12]

### EPs

- *Act 1 (The Pilgrim)* (2022, re-released 2023)[6]
- *Act 2 (Their God)* (2023)[25]

### Singles

- "My God" (2022, re-released 2023)[5][22]
- "On a Grassy Knoll (We'll Bow Together)" (2023)[6]
- "Gymnopédie" (2023)[1]
- "Hallelujah Bruv" (2024)[17]
- "Nail in a Wooden Trunk" (2024)[18]

## References

1. ["Tapir! Share New Single & Video "Gymnopédie" & Release EP "Act 2 (Their God)" Out Via Heavenly Recordings"](https://circuitsweet.co.uk/2023/08/tapir-share-new-single-video-gymnopedie-release-ep-act-2-their-god-out-via-heavenly-recordings/). *Circuit Sweet*. 30 August 2023. [Archived](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/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. ["The debut album from Tapir! has finally arrived"](https://www.pias.com/tapir-debut-album/). *PIAS*. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

1. Murray, Robin (31 May 2023). ["Tapir! Sign To Heavenly Recordings, Line Up New EP"](https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/). *Clash Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tapir-sign-to-heavenly-recordings-line-up-new-ep/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (24 October 2023). ["Tapir! announce their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain). *The Line of Best Fit*. [Archived](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) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Thirlwell, Elvis (17 February 2022). ["Tapir! Share Debut Single 'My God'"](https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/). *So Young Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://soyoungmagazine.com/tapir-share-debut-single-my-god/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (30 May 2023). ["London-based band Tapir! sign to Heavenly Records"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records). *The Line of Best Fit*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040527/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/london-based-band-tapir-sign-to-heavenly-records) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. ["Ian Sweet"](https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/). *The Grace*. 26 May 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040532/https://www.thegrace.london/gigs/ian-sweet/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Linazasoro, Nick (26 August 2022). ["Green Man Festival celebrates 20th anniversary"](https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/26/green-man-festival-celebrates-20th-anniversary/). *Brighton and Hove News*. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

1. Mason, Julia (24 March 2023). ["NEWS: Left Of The Dial Continues To Add To Its Impressive Line-up For October Festival"](https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/24/news-left-of-the-dial-continues-to-add-to-its-impressive-line-up-for-october-festival/). *[God Is In The TV](/source/God_Is_In_The_TV)*. [Archived](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/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. ["Explosions In The Sky"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/). *Troxy*. 8 November 2023. Archived from [the original](https://troxy.co.uk/event/explosions-in-the-sky/) on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Stark, Emily (22 January 2024). ["Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God, And The King Of My Decrepit Mountain (Heavenly Recordings)"](https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2024/01/22/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-heavenly-recordings/). *[God Is In The TV](/source/God_Is_In_The_TV)*. [Archived](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/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (26 January 2024). ["Tapir! present their debut album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-their-debut-album-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain). *The Line of Best Fit*. [Archived](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) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. ["18 Great Records You May Have Missed: Winter 2024"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/great-records-you-may-have-missed-winter-2024/). *Pitchfork*. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

1. Linazasoro, Nick (1 August 2022). ["Get out your 'Sunnbrella' and put on that vintage dress"](https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/). *Brighton and Hove News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040528/https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/08/01/get-out-your-sunnbrella-and-put-on-that-vintage-dress/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Carter, Daisy (27 October 2023). ["Tapir!: "this project is very much alive""](https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023). *DIY*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240108093656/https://diymag.com/interview/tapir-the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain-october-2023) 8 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. McCarthy, Neive (24 January 2024). ["Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain"](https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain). *DIY*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126184742/https://diymag.com/review/album/the-pilgrim-their-god-and-the-king-of-my-decrepit-mountain) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (15 August 2024). ["Tapir! return with the brand new track, "Hallelujah Bruv""](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-return-with-the-brand-new-track-hallelujah-bruv). *The Line of Best Fit*. Retrieved 15 August 2024.

1. Wescott, Andrew (17 September 2024). ["Tapir! share new track 'Nail in a wooden trunk' and announce extensive UK/EU tour"](https://readdork.com/news/tapir-nail-wooden-trunk-tour/). *Dork*. Retrieved 17 September 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (17 September 2024). ["Tapir! present new single, "Nail In A Wooden Trunk""](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-present-new-single-nail-in-a-wooden-trunk). *The Line of Best Fit*. Retrieved 17 September 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (27 May 2025). ["Tapir! announce their decision to "close the curtains" on the project"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-announce-their-decision-to-close-the-curtains-on-the-project). *The Line of Best Fit*. Retrieved 27 May 2025.

1. "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". 27 May 2025.

1. May, Angelika (25 October 2023). ["Tapir! tease debut album with single 'My God'"](https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god). *Hideous Mink Records*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://www.hideousminkrecords.com/post/tapir-tease-debut-album-with-single-my-god) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Bolton, Lloyd (21 September 2022). ["Indie Rock as Pagan Folk Art: 'Act I' grants us access to the extended universe of Tapir!"](https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/). *Hard of Hearing*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126201704/https://hardofhearingmagazine.com/2022/09/21/tapir-are-the-link-between-our-world-and-one-a-little-greener/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Cross, Reuben (11 September 2023). ["End of the Road 2023: A vintage weekend from a five-star festival"](https://waxmusicuk.com/2023/09/11/end-of-the-road-2023-a-vintage-weekend-from-a-five-star-festival/). *Wax Music*. [Archived](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/) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Kelly, Tyler Damara (29 August 2023). ["Tapir! unveil the brand new EP, Act 2 (Their God)"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god). *The Line of Best Fit*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240126040529/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tapir-unveil-the-brand-new-ep-act-2-their-god) 26 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

1. Ward, George (10 October 2023). ["Tapir! On Mythology, Multimedia and Exclamation Marks"](https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks). *Clunk Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240301005922/https://clunkmag.com/tapir-on-mythology-multimedia-and-exclamation-marks/?v=7516fd43adaa) 1 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tapir!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapir!) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapir!?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.