Genre-defying UK-based music outfit Tian Qiyi presents 'Mongolian Dub', a powerful offering from their sophomore album 'Songs For Workers', out June 27 via Pagoda Records. Featuring the legendary Jah Wobble on bass, this is a fascinating ethno-psychedelic initiation into this 10-track musical journey, which bridges generations and cultures, blending deep dub grooves with Eastern traditions. This single follows their stunning lead track 'Watch The Sunrise'.
More than just a band, Tian Qiyi brings together brothers John Tian Qi Wardle and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle with their father, Jah Wobble (John Wardle). Their unique sound reflects their rich family heritage, blending their father's pioneering work in post-punk and dub with the Chinese cultural influences of their mother, Zilan Liao.
On the foundation of their acclaimed 2024 debut album 'Red Mist', with standout singles 'Incantation' and 'Red Mist', the Wardle brothers continue to forge a sound that blends dub, post-punk, and experimental production with rich influences from Traditional Chinese, Mongolian, and Irish music.
This Tian Qiyi album has already generated plays from Gideon Coe, Mark Riley and Stuart Maconie on BBC 6 Music, and from John Kennedy on Radio X London. 'Songs For Workers' represents the next evolution in their mission to create border-crossing musical experiences that honour their diverse influences while crafting something uniquely their own, further exploring the intersection of traditional Asian and Celtic soundscapes with contemporary dub production techniques.
'Mongolian Dub' ft. Jah Wobble https://wearetian.bandcamp.com/track/mongolian-dub
'Songs For Workers' album pre-save / pre-order https://ffm.to/songsforworkers
John Tian Qi handles all drumming and percussion - both Eastern and Western - on the album. Charlie Wardle’s unique vocal style is to the fore, as is his incredible musical dexterity on traditional Chinese and Mongolian instruments, bringing a funky and, at times, psychedelic quality to the music, in addition to that which is expressly traditional. Jah Wobble plays bass on most of the album’s tracks, while John Tian Qi contributes bass on 'Luoyang' and 'Siege' and synth / Moog bass on 'Watch The Sunrise', highlighting Tian Qiyi's growing creative independence and production chops.
Fully produced by Tian Qiyi, 'Songs For Workers' marks a bold step forward in their cross-cultural, multi-generational musical journey. Rooted in heritage and driven by experimentation, their sound is shaped by the magnetic tension between ancient tradition and dub futurism, East and West, land and spirit—a musical space that is uniquely their own.
Drawing inspiration from Miles Davis's groundbreaking electric period and the experimental spirit of Krautrock, the band creates expansive, boundary-pushing soundscapes that defy easy categorization. Jah Wobble's involvement adds a deep, distinctive dub foundation to the family's cross-cultural vision, while the brothers' mastery of traditional Chinese instruments reflects their maternal heritage.
The duo's name carries deep personal significance, combining elements of the brothers' middle names: "Tian," shared by both siblings, paired with "Qi" (meaning "together") and "Yi" (meaning "one"). This linguistic fusion mirrors their musical approach, where disparate elements unite to create something entirely new—much like their parents' union of Eastern and Western cultural traditions.
'Mongolian Dub' is available exclusively via Bandcamp. 'Watch The Sunrise' is out now, available on fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full 'Songs for Workers', set for release on June 27, is available for pre-order. A handful of festival shows will be happening over the summer in support of this album.
SINGLE CREDITS
Performed & produced by Tian Qiyi
Composed by John Tian Qi Wardle, Charlie Tian Yi Wardle, Jah Wobble
Charlie Tian Yi Wardle - Morin Khuur, Er Hu, Vocals
John Tian Qi Wardle - Drum Kit, Yang Qin
Jah Wobble - Bass
Mixed by John Tian Qi Wardle
Engineeed by Seadna Mcphail & John Tian Qi Wardle
Recorded at Airtight Studios and Pagoda Studio
Released by Pagoda Records
Published by Domino Publishing / 30 Hertz
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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