The Muddy Basin Ramblers
Jug band based in Taiwan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Muddy Basin Ramblers are a jug band formed in 2002[1] by a group of American and British expats residing in Taipei, Taiwan. Their music is heavily influenced by 1920s and 1930s blues, jazz, and traditional string bands.[2] Many of their songs are also inspired by traditional Taiwanese folk music,[3] and their experiences with Taiwanese culture.[4][5] The Ramblers got their start playing on the street, riverside, and practicing in bars after hours.[6] The band performs predominantly in English, but also performs in Mandarin, and Taiwanese.[7] All members of the group are multi-instrumentalists, often switching instruments after each song during live performances. They incorporate many homemade instruments like washboard, washtub bass, and jug.[8][9][10][11][12]
The Muddy Basin Ramblers | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Taipei, Taiwan |
Genres | |
Years active | 2002–present |
Members | David Chen TC Lin Tim "Thumper" Hogan Cristina Paradise Zach Paradise Conor "Redman" Prunty Will "Slim" Thelin |
Past members | Marie-Josée "Mojo" Laviolette Eddie Lin Zoë Moffat Sandy "Sandman" Murray Dana Wylie |
The Ramblers perform predominantly in Taiwan, but have also played in Hong Kong and Japan.[13]
Their albums have received recognition in the art world for their unique and creative design.[14] In 2015 and 2020, the albums Formosa Medicine Show and Hold that Tiger[15] were nominated for the Grammy Awards in the Best Recording Package category.[13]
In 2016 the band gave a TEDx talk on the importance of "jamming" and how the process led to the writing of their albums.[16] In 2023, the band was the featured guest on the "Taipei Tonight Show" with Dennis Nieh.[17]