Earth Tongue Releases Ritual as the New Song of the Day
Earth Tongue, a celebrated duo from Aotearoa, has made a comeback with their latest single, Ritual, which has just been released via In The Red Records, accompanied by a mesmerizing music video. The song was produced by the renowned American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Ty Segall, known for his unique blend of garage rock, psychedelia, and punk.
The creation process of Ritual was quite intriguing. Initially, it began as a challenge by Ty Segall to produce an a cappella track. However, it took a different turn when their drummer, Ezra Simons, stumbled upon an archived riff, igniting the song’s development. The final outcome featured genre-blending four-part harmonies, taking Gussie Larkin, the singer and guitarist, back to her roots as a choral singer. Throughout the production, Gussie and Ty worked collaboratively, meticulously crafting each harmonic line. Gussie mentioned, “Ty’s ear for harmonies is a bit more twisted than mine,” highlighting the enriching creative process they shared.
Ritual encapsulates Earth Tongue’s signature style: raw analog production with a vibrant live essence, focusing on forward-facing and isolated vocals. Thematically, the song exudes futuristic optimism, intertwined with the duo’s harmonious and robust melodies. Gussie reflected on the experience, stating, “The process of writing this song made me realize the vast creative freedom we possess as a band.”
The accompanying music video, shot in the woods outside Berlin, pays homage to 1970s horror cinema, complete with custom-made red robes and chainmail. Drummer and cinematographer Ezra, alongside his collaborator Oscar Keys, brought the cinematic vision to life. Ezra mentioned, “In previous videos, we’ve explored cinematic montages or snippets from imagined films. This time, we wanted to delve deeper by incorporating dialogue and actors, embracing the classic trope of rock bands in druid robes frolicking in the forest but in our unique Earth Tongue style.”
Since their last album release, Great Haunting in 2024, Earth Tongue has achieved significant milestones. They were awarded ‘Best Group’ at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards, performed at prestigious events like Hobart’s Dark Mofo and London’s Desertfest, and even supported Queens Of The Stone Age. Their unique sound has garnered attention in the global alternative music scene.
Now based in Berlin, Earth Tongue is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the release of Ritual coinciding with their first USA tour. Gussie expressed their confidence reaffirmed by the positive reception from new audiences, stating, “Being able to play extensively has boosted our confidence, proving that we can maintain our unique and eccentric style.”
Ritual marks the beginning of a thrilling journey for Earth Tongue, pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons. The single is now available on all major streaming platforms, offering listeners a taste of their innovative and captivating sound.