neo-zombie-post-folk 

 Puuluup was formed in 2014 by two talharpa enthusiasts Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson.
Ramo Teder is a multi-instrumentalist and has been known for his long solo project
Pastacas. He is also a looping pioneer in Estonia and has mastered these skills for twenty
years already. Marko Veisson has a background in anthropology and his fieldwork in
Northern Ghana as well as his love for West-African music have definitely influenced
Puuluup’s style.
They play their own compositions on talharpas – a traditional bowed lyre, popular in
Northern Europe since the early Middle Ages and played on Western Estonian islands until
the beginning of 20th century. Puuluup directs the vibrations of talharpa’s horsehair strings
through effect blocks and looper, uses alternative bowing and drumming techniques and
sounds. The mellow sighs of talharpa are paired with electronically amplified echoes,
knocks, creaks and crackles, while still maintaining the instrument’s natural sound. They
play with music as they play with words, sometimes creating their own language. As the
band states: “We draw inspiration from Vormsi nights, trams in November, junkies in love,
criminals from Odessa and Antonio Vivaldi”. As a side dish, when giving live concerts they
also offer choreographic flittering which emerged on its own during the numerous days
these two man spent in the rehearsal rooms.
Because of their unique approach to this traditional instrument Puuluup received several
music awards in Estonia including the best Band, the best Ensemble, for the best Album.
Their popularity in Estonia and abroad is rapidly growing. The band performed in Canada,
China, Chile, France, Germany, Ukraine, Taiwan.
For their unique musical videos Puuluup received awards at film festivals.