Typhoon (American band)
Typhoon is an American indie rock band based in Portland, Oregon. Led by singer-songwriter Kyle Morton since its founding in 2005, the band is anchored by bassist Toby Tanabe, guitarist Dave Hall, drummer Alex Fitch, and violinist/vocalist Shannon Steele and has been noted for its large size, boasting up to fourteen members in its past.[1] They have released five albums and two EPs, also contributing to a number of compilations. Their most recent album, Underground Complex No. 1 was released on April 15, 2022.[2]
Typhoon
2005–present
- Kyle Morton
- Toby Tanabe
- Dave Hall
- Devin Gallagher
- Eric Stipe
- Alex Fitch
- Shannon Steele
- Jordan Vale
- Pieter Hilton
- Ryan McAlpin
- Jen Hufnagel
- Paige Morton
- Nora Zimmerly
- Grant Hall
- Tyler Ferrin
Style[edit]
Typhoon's music is marked by complicated arrangements and careful orchestration. Live performances routinely involve twelve or more band members playing at once. According to Lauren Rosenthal at mySpoonful, "the group masterfully combines indie rock instrumentals and vocals with violins, percussion, hand claps, xylophone, horns and a choir of other instruments, making for inspiring and catchy songs."[21] Their sound emulates and is sometimes compared to Frightened Rabbit, Bright Eyes, Beirut, and Arcade Fire.[22]
The band's instrumentation is centered around a traditional rock configuration of guitars, keyboards, bass guitar, and drums and is complemented by brass, strings, and auxiliary percussion, among other instruments.
Typhoon's early recordings reveal a greater degree of experimentation with various styles, including a number of "sea shanties", country western and Eastern European-inspired songs. Their later output, including their album Hunger and Thirst and its companion EP, A New Kind of House, show a more focused and consistent sound, and a greater focus on creating a cohesive thematic through-line. Many of the songs are preoccupied with mortality and directly reference lead singer and primary songwriter Kyle Morton's own struggle with Lyme disease as a child.[23]