The Muddy Basin Ramblers
The Muddy Basin Ramblers are a jug band formed in 2002 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. 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.
The Ramblers perform predominantly in Taiwan, but have also played in Hong Kong and Japan.
Their albums have received recognition in the art world for their unique and creative design. In 2015, 2020, and 2024 the albums Formosa Medicine Show, Hold that Tiger, and Jug Band Millionairewere nominated for the Grammy Awards in the Best Recording Package category.
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.
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