Genre-defying duo TIAN QIYI – brothers John Tian Qi Wardle and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle – have released
their sophomore album Songs For Workers via Pagoda Records.
Following their acclaimed 2024 debut 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. Their father, legendary bassist Jah Wobble, features on most of the album
tracks, while John Tian Qi contributes bass on Luoyang and Siege, and synth-Moog bass on Watch The
Sunrise – highlighting the duo’s growing creative independence – and all the drumming, both Eastern
and Western, throughout the album.
Charlie Tian Yi’s unique vocal style is to the fore, as is his incredible musical dexterity on traditional
Chinese and Mongolian instruments, bringing a psychedelic and at times funky quality to the music to
complement the traditional aspects.
Fully produced by Tian Qiyi, Songs For Workers marks a bold step forward in their cross-cultural and
multi-generational musical journey. Rooted in heritage and driven by experimentation, Tian Qiyi craft a
sound 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.
Live Dates
JUNE
Sat 28 MERTON Arts Space (album launch with Jah Wobble)
OCTOBER
Sat 25 WHITBY Musicport Festival