Name: Unravelled: 1981 - 2002
Brand: Tall Dwarfs

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRG798.1

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "MRG798.1"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

673855079813

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "673855079813"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

4 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

MRG798.2

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "MRG798.2"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

673855079820

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "673855079820"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

2 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Tall Dwarfs

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Merge Records

Tall Dwarfs is a New Zealand rock band that was founded in 1981. They are known for their unique approach to percussion, using household objects and hand claps to create rhythmic sounds. Their music is a psychedelic blend of lo-fi indie, influenced by the Dunedin sound. In 2005, they embarked on a US tour with [a252619], showcasing their innovative style to audiences across the country.
With over three decades of experience, Tall Dwarfs have left an indelible mark on the music scene. Their experimental sound and unconventional use of instruments have earned them a dedicated following worldwide.
Discover Tall Dwarfs' groundbreaking music and immerse yourself in their captivating sonic universe. Explore their discography and experience the magic of this influential New Zealand band.

Check out our latest restocks of vinyl records, CDs, books and merchandise at Rough Trade. Dive into rare finds, classic albums and add something special to your collection.

Back In Stock

Unravelled: 1981–2002 shines a loving light on lo-fi pioneers Tall Dwarfs, the prized New Zealand duo of Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate. The collection compiles songs from two decades of recordings. The vinyl edition includes a 20-page collector’s booklet of photos, comics, posters, and other ephemera.

Tall Dwarfs formed in 1981, opting to record themselves on a 4-track reel-to-reel. New Zealand’s AudioCulture wrote of the duo’s project: “Early live performances were a ramshackle work in progress. Knox described them in an interview with American magazine Forced Exposure as ‘two minutes of song followed by five minutes of fucking around.’

Tall Dwarfs was meant to be a one-off, but after the founding of their New Zealand label Flying Nun, they continued to record music for the next 21 years, releasing seven EPs and six albums. Their process was spontaneous, with songs being recorded as they were written. Typically, Bathgate would work up something on guitar while Knox provided vocals, lyrics, and tape loops. Then they added any sounds that seemed necessary to finish a song, using whatever was lying around: pans, chairs, baby rattles. Though Tall Dwarfs could be weird, they were never too experimental; Knox and Bathgate both loved melody too much.

The songs on Unravelled: 1981–2002 were curated by Alec Bathgate, who also designed the box set packaging; Chris Knox suffered a debilitating stroke in 2009 just as they had started work on a new album. The collection captures the different sides of the Tall Dwarfs in 55 songs. Though the band was an excuse for two good friends who lived in different cities to get together, drink beer, watch shitty old movies, and do some recording and drawing, Tall Dwarfs created music unlike anyone else. Capturing the initial excitement of creation and taking pride in what they did, Knox and Bathgate showed a whole generation of musicians what could be done at home on a 4-track and what magic could be made if you mixed pop melodies and hooks galore with homemade sounds.