The Muddy Basin Ramblers

The Muddy Basin Ramblers are a jug band formed in 2002 by a group of American and British immigrants in Taipei, Taiwan. Their music is heavily influenced by 1920s and 1930s blues, jazz, and traditional string bands. Many of their songs are also inspired by traditional Taiwanese folk music and their experiences within Taiwanese culture. The Ramblers got their start playing on the street, riverside, and practicing in bars after hours. The band performs predominantly in English, but also performs in Mandarin and Taiwanese. 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.

Their albums have received recognition from the Recording Academy for their unique and creative design. In 2015, 2020, and 2025 the albums Formosa Medicine Show, Hold that Tiger, and Jug Band Millionairehttps://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2025-see-the-full-list-here/ were nominated for the Grammy Awards in the Best Recording Package category.

The Ramblers perform predominantly in Taiwan, but have also played in Hong Kong and Japan.

In 2016 the band gave a TEDx talk on the importance of "jamming" and how the process led to the writing of their albums. In 2023, the band was the featured guest on the "Taipei Tonight Show" with Dennis Nieh.

In 2024, the band was featured in the Cinemaphonic Live Sessions at Yucheng Studios. They performed with special guest members of 88 Balaz.https://blow.streetvoice.com/77676/ Select songs from the performance were released as the EP The Muddy Basin Ramblers Cinemaphonic Sessions (Live) in 2025.https://music.apple.com/tw/album/%E6%B3%A5%E7%81%98%E5%9C%B0%E6%B5%AA%E4%BA%BA-cinemaphonic-sessions-live-ep/1815939075?l=en-GB

Members

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)

Discography David Chen and The Muddy Basin Ramblers (2007) Formosa Medicine Show(2013) The Dance Age (2016) Hold That Tiger (2018) Jug Band Millionaire (2024) The Muddy Basin Ramblers Cinemaphonic Sessions (Live) (2025)https://music.apple.com/tw/album/%E6%B3%A5%E7%81%98%E5%9C%B0%E6%B5%AA%E4%BA%BA-cinemaphonic-sessions-live-ep/1815939075?l=en-GB

Awards

! scope="row" | 2014 | 57th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Formosa Medicine Show - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2014 | Golden Pin Design Award | Best Design | Formosa Medicine Show - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2020 | 62nd Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Hold that Tiger - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2020 | Golden Melody Awards | Best Recording Package | Hold that Tiger - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2020 | Independent Music Awards | Best Blues Song | Dharma Train - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2020 | Independent Music Awards | Best Producer Roots/Country | David Chen - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

! scope="row" | 2024 | 67th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Recording Package | Jug Band Millionaire - The Muddy Basin Ramblers

References

The Muddy Basin Ramblers

Bron en licentie