UK duo Mermaid Chunky (Freya Tate and Moina Moin) released their debut album, slif slaf slof, back in December via DFA Records. The group, who eclectically mix ravey dance music and Wicker Man-style folk, ended up on DFA after James Murphy heard an early single on NTS Radio and immediately tracked them down, telling them “You’ve restored my faith in music,” and asking them to open for LCD Soundsystem at Brixton Academy in 2022. The band are now in the US for the first time, where they will open all four of LCD’s LA shows at Hollywood Palladium this weekend (November 7-10).
After that, Mermaid Chunky will head to NYC, where they will make their live debut here at Baby’s All Right on Saturday, November 16 with Brutus VIII and DFA DJs. It’s a late show (doors at 11) and tickets are on sale.
Mermaid Chunky also have a couple DJ sets while in Brooklyn: Thursday, November 14 at Sleepwalk which is a free show featuring live performances by Montreal’s Bibi Club (who are also making their NYC debut) and Loren Berí; and an early evening slot (6 PM) at Night Moves on Friday, November 15 which is also free.
If you haven’t checked out Mermaid Chunky’s slif slaf slof, here’s part of what I wrote in my Indie Basement review: “UK duo Mermaid Chunky (Freya Tate and Moina Moin) are the weirdest band ever to be signed to DFA Records. To be fair, with a mix of faery folk, performance art, tribal rhythms, and a hardware store’s supply of kitchen sinks, these two would probably be the weirdest artist on any label they were on. Their debut album is like a Wicker Man themed rave, heavy on the flutes and other ren fair instruments, but soon come the proggy synths, beats, and other eccentric noises. Is that a didgeridoo or a throat-singer? Maybe it’s a duck? I’m still not sure. There’s also a song, “chaperone,” that owes a lot to Barry White before heading into electro-banger disco territory. (It’s the most DFA song on the album.) Even if you’re down with the discography of Cocorosie and Let’s Eat Grandma, you’ve probably never heard anything quite like Mermaid Chunky, but they are fun, not wilfully obtuse.” Listen below.
