Loop And Lyre: Puuluup Plots North American Return

(headline image: Puuluup – Photo by Taavi Arus)

Estonia’s self-described “zombie folk” duo will tour the United States in September and October. The itinerary spans both coasts, with stops in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and additional cities.

Puuluup combines elements of modern folklore with loop-driven arrangements built around the talharpa, a centuries-old, four-string bowed lyre from Northern Europe, processed through effects and loopers.

Formed in 2014, the group includes Ramo Teder, a multi-instrumentalist known for the solo project Pastacas and two decades of loop work. His musical partner is Marko Veisson, an anthropologist whose fieldwork in northern Ghana and affinity for West African music inform the duo’s approach.

Both musicians gravitated to the talharpa’s distinctive, overtone-rich sound and set out to expand its possibilities within contemporary contexts.

Across ten years, Puuluup has released five albums and earned multiple awards in Estonia, contributing to a talharpa revival. The duo also represented Estonia at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest and remains active on the international world music circuit as well as European indie, rock, and pop scenes.

Puuluup Tour Dates:

9/23 -The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN, US
9/24 – Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, Crystal Lake, IL
9/25 – Constellation, Chicago, IL
9/26 – Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, Bloomington, IN
9/27 – Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, Bloomington, IN
10/3 – Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, VT
10/4 – CitySpace, Easthampton, MA
10/5 – Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
10/7 – Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, Washington, DC
10/8 – DROM, New York, NY
10/9 – Manny’s, State College, PA
10/12 – Hidden Hall, Seattle, WA