Past event
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Ramo Teder | talharpa, vocal, looper and effects pedals |
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Marko Veisson | talharpa, vocal, effects pedal board |
Puuluup was formed in 2014 by two ‘talharpa’ enthusiasts Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson. Ramo Teder is a multi-instrumentalist also known for his solo project Pastacas. He is also a looping pioneer in Estonia and has mastered these skills over twenty years. Marko Veisson has a background in anthropology and his fieldwork in Northern Ghana and love for West-African music have had a strong influence on Puuluup’s sound.
They play their own compositions on talharpas – a traditional bowed lyre, popular in Northern Europe since the early Middle Ages and played on Western Estonian islands until the beginning of 20th century. Puuluup directs the vibrations of talharpa’s horsehair strings through effects pedals and loopers, using alternative bowing and drumming techniques. The mellow sighs of talharpa are paired with electronically amplified echoes, knocks, creaks and crackles, while still maintaining the instrument’s natural sound. They play with music as they play with words, sometimes creating their own language. As the band states: ‘We draw inspiration from Vormsi nights, trams in November, criminals from Odessa and Antonio Vivaldi’. As a side dish, when giving live concerts they also offer choreographic flittering which emerged on its own during the numerous days these two men spent in the rehearsal rooms.
Because of their unique approach to this traditional instrument Puuluup received several music awards in Estonia including the best Band, the best Ensemble, for the best Album. Their popularity in Estonia and abroad is rapidly growing. The band have performed in Canada, China, Chile, France, Germany, Ukraine, Taiwan.
‘Puuluup are true originals with a cult following. They are doing something pretty unusual, pushing obscure folk material towards the mainstream with a whole lot of panache.’ – Songlines
The performance will last approximately 70 minutes.