Sometimes music is supposed to feel weird and indescribable. It’s the moments of clarity within the dense, sonic mess that often feels the most satisfying.
That’s the space that Earth Tongue occupy. At times, their songs are shrill and disorientating, other times their reverb-washed textures and instantly-familiar hooks can wrap you in a warm, loving embrace.
The one consistent thread through their music, however, is the thick and all-encompassing fuzz. Guitarist Gussie Larkin (Mermaidens) has become a master of the fuzz-smothered riff, and along with Ezra Simons’ off-kilter drumming, they’ve been sending punters into transcendental states since they began gigging in their home town of Wellington in 2016.
Following the release of their debut album ‘Floating Being’ in 2019 via Bristol-based label Stolen Body Records, Earth Tongue toured Australia, the UK and Europe, picking up praise along the way from BBC Radio6, Bandcamp and headbangers all over the world.
The now Auckland-based duo have plenty more off-kilter time signatures and robotic harmonies up their bell-flared sleeves. Watch this space for the next Earth Tongue venture as they step away from sci-fi twists and hurtle fuzz-first into the occult.
