Tune-Yards

Tune-Yards is the musical project led by Merrill Garbus, an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for blending art pop, worldbeat, indie pop, and lo-fi elements into a unique sound. Born in 1979 in New York City and raised in New Canaan, Connecticut, Garbus began her musical journey in 2006, experimenting with a handheld voice recorder and looping devices. Her debut album, BiRd-BrAiNs, which was self-released, drew attention for its raw, experimental approach and eventually saw a worldwide release in 2009.

The project truly gained momentum with the 2011 album w h o k i l l, which earned critical acclaim and topped The Village Voice‘s annual Pazz and Jop critics’ poll. The album was praised for its soulful vocals, unconventional percussion, and socially conscious lyrics. Following this success, tUnE-yArDs released Nikki Nack in 2014, which featured the widely recognized single “Water Fountain”—a track that received additional exposure through a Google Pixel campaign in 2016.

In 2018, tUnE-yArDs released I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life, an album that explored themes of identity and societal issues. In addition to her music career, Garbus contributed to the atmospheric score for the 2019 film Sorry to Bother You. Throughout their career, tUnE-yArDs has continued to stand out for their innovative blend of genres and experimental techniques, establishing themselves as a distinctive and influential force in contemporary music.