The Muddy Basin Ramblers
The Muddy Basin Ramblers | |
|---|---|
 The Muddy Basin Ramblers performing at National Taiwan Concert Hall Summer Jazz Outdoor Party in 2017 | |
| 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 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 within 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 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, 2020, and 2025 the albums Formosa Medicine Show, Hold that Tiger, and Jug Band Millionaire[15][16]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.[17] In 2023, the band was the featured guest on the "Taipei Tonight Show" with Dennis Nieh.[18]
Members
[edit]David Chen (Resonator Guitar, Guitar, Banjo, Lead Vocals, Banjolin, Lap steel guitar, Ukulele, Tenor Banjo)
Tim Hogan (Washboard, Drums, Vocals)
TC Lin (Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba, Washtub Bass, Sousaphone, Vocals)
Cristina Paradise (Fiddle, Piccolo, Suona, Ukulele, Mandolin, Washtub Bass, Vocals)
Zach Paradise (Saxophone, Banjolele, Tenor Banjo, Nose Whistle, Recorder, Ukulele, Whistling, Jaw harp, Guitar, Washtub Bass, Kazoo, Vocals).
Conor Prunty (Harmonica, Washtub Bass, Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals)
Will Thelin (Lead Vocals, Jug, Trombone, Kazoo, Tap dance, Comb and paper)
[18]
Discography
[edit]David Chen and The Muddy Basin Ramblers (2007)
Formosa Medicine Show (2013)[19]
The Dance Age (2016)[20]
Hold That Tiger (2018)[21]
Jug Band Millionaire (2024)[22]
Awards
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 57th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Formosa Medicine Show - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Nominated | [23][24][25][26] |
| 2014 | Golden Pin Design Award | Best Design | Formosa Medicine Show - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Won | [27] |
| 2020 | 62nd Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Hold that Tiger - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Nominated | [28][29][30][31] |
| 2020 | Golden Melody Awards | Best Recording Package | Hold that Tiger - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Won | [32] |
| 2020 | Independent Music Awards | Best Blues Song | Dharma Train - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Nominated | [33] |
| 2020 | Independent Music Awards | Best Producer Roots/Country | David Chen - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Nominated | [33] |
| 2025 | 67th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Jug Band Millionaire - The Muddy Basin Ramblers | Nominated | [34] |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Muddy Basin blues - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. November 2, 2007.
- ^ "Taiwan's Muddy Basin Ramblers debut new album | Taiwan News | Jan. 17, 2024 16:17". www.taiwannews.com.tw.
- ^ "專訪》當過國軍的老外還用台語唱紅歌－泥灘地浪人 這回打老虎 - 自由評論網". talk.ltn.com.tw. October 28, 2018.
- ^ Klar, Jim (July 24, 2019). "Good Clean Fun With Live Music in Taipei".
- ^ "Jug band millionaires: An Interview with David Chen of the Muddy Basin Ramblers｜Culture｜2024-03-25｜web only".
- ^ "Taipei's Bobwundayebar to close after 20 years | Taiwan News | Oct. 25, 2023 17:34". www.taiwannews.com.tw.
- ^ "Jazz Played with Freedom in Taiwan Muddy Basin Ramblers and Tokyo Chuo-Line".
- ^ "Jug Band Millionaires: An Interview with David Chen of the Muddy Basin Ramblers – Taiwan Scene". taiwan-scene.com.
- ^ "合作專欄》外國臉孔、台灣靈魂！臉盆當貝斯，泥灘地浪人用藍調擺脫Blue Mood | 樂手巢 YSOLIFE". September 29, 2019.
- ^ "泥灘地浪人". IC之音竹科廣播 FM97.5.
- ^ "10/9 耳朵借我：專訪泥灘地浪人The Muddy Basin Ramblers + 空中現場". October 9, 2018.
- ^ "賣藥秀民謠 致敬三零年代 - alive - 商業名人的生活美學". 賣藥秀民謠 致敬三零年代 - alive - 商業名人的生活美學.
- ^ a b Henley, Joe (January 25, 2020). "Ramblin' with a Muddy Basin Rambler".
- ^ "7 unique physical albums – SHINEE's KEY, Lorde, Foodman, (G)I-DLE's Soyeon, and more". 7 unique physical albums – SHINEE's KEY, Lorde, Foodman, (G)I-DLE's Soyeon, and more | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. November 23, 2021.
- ^ Bauer, Chris (June 2, 2020). "CD Packaging: Hold That Tiger- Muddy Basin Ramblers". UnifiedManufacturing.
- ^ https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2025-see-the-full-list-here/
- ^ "泥灘地浪人 – 2016 TEDxTaipei 年會". Archived from the original on 2017-02-24.
- ^ a b "Jazzing Up the Show, Crafting DIY Instruments with The Muddy Basin Ramblers! - TaiwanPlus". www.taiwanplus.com.
- ^ "Live Wire: 'I'm an honorary lesbian' - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. October 18, 2013.
- ^ "Onion Design Associates 洋蔥設計 - The Muddy Basin Ramblers - The Dance Age". oniondesign.com.tw.
- ^ "HOLD THAT TIGER｜泥灘地浪人 擒虎記 — 楊豐銘｜YANG FONG MING". yangfongming.com.
- ^ "The Muddy Basin Ramblers". The Muddy Basin Ramblers.
- ^ "57th Annual GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com.
- ^ "Muddy Basin Ramblers celebrate Christmas - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Muddy Basin Ramblers Grammy bound - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. February 2, 2015.
- ^ "泥灘地浪人 葫蘆裡賣的是什麼藥？". January 11, 2015.
- ^ "泥灘地浪人 - 寶島賣藥秀Cd 線上展覽 金點設計獎". Archived from the original on 2017-02-24.
- ^ "62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com.
- ^ "台灣專輯設計入圍葛萊美獎！「宮廟符咒」台式風格超吸睛". Yahoo News. November 28, 2019.
- ^ "不只驅邪避凶，符咒還能是包裝！結合台灣宮廟文化，泥灘地浪人《擒虎記》一舉入圍葛萊美專輯包裝設計！". December 15, 2019.
- ^ "The 2015 Grammy nomination list". USA Today.
- ^ "THE 30th Golden Melody Awards - Nomination & Winners". THE 30th GMA.
- ^ a b "The 18th Independent Music Awards Nominations". 23 April 2020.
- ^ https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2025-see-the-full-list-here/