Funke and the Two Tone Baby “O Great Mother”

Multi-instrumentalist and one man army – FUNKE AND THE TWO TONE BABY – is back with new single “O Great Mother”, ahead of the release of his forthcoming album ‘Reacclimate’ (due 20 October).

Described by the artist as “my Dandy Warhols-meets-Portishead”, “O Great Mother” sees Funke and the Two Tone Baby plot a cosmic trajectory through the galaxies of psych-rock, dub and electronica to create a sprawling and spaced-out new world all of his own.

Capturing his flexibility as a songwriter and instrumentalist, the new track sees Funke lean into his more atmospheric and expansive side as its fluid format allowed him to push the boundaries of what a traditional single should look like. He explains:

“”O Great Mother” is not your typical single. It’s long, airy and meandering, but it’s a single for a reason. I’m known for the singalong bangers, so it’s very refreshing to showcase the ‘other side’ of my skill set.

The track started out as a late-night argument about how fast the moon was traveling through the sky. I counteracted the argument by writing this song about it. In hindsight, it seems pretty petty, but it’s been a surreal adventure to take this little throwaway argument and actually prove it right/wrong years later.”

“O Great Mother” also arrives alongside an equally celestial official video filmed by Funke as he set out on a mission to unearth the truth behind his age-old argument. He adds:

“I grabbed a couple of cameras and went on an adventure to find the biggest, clearest hill and stood on it all night filming myself and a very rare blue supermoon. It was a wonderful experience and really magical to be totally alone and playing with this astrological phenomenon whilst a village slept beneath me.”

The new release also follows recent singles “Can’t Stop The Music” and “Shake It Up” in paving the way for his forthcoming album ‘Reacclimate’ (out 20 October).

Funke’s first album in five years, ‘Reacclimate’ finds the artist’s output updated and re-invigorated across the 10-track record and the project was born following a tour with Dutty Moonshine Big Band last year. Having held his own on-stage against the 12-piece goliath group, he was introduced to their in-house producer DJ Binge and the pair quickly struck up a fruitful working relationship in the studio together. Funke explains:

“I’ve been making live dance music for a long while but to finally get into the studio with a dance producer has been a dream come true. We’ve really leaned heavily into fat dance beats and wubby basslines. I really think the results are unreal and, although this record is unrelentingly powerful, there’s some real beautiful, tender moments in there too.”

As a whole ‘Reacclimate’ is a thematic reflection of Funke’s own growth and re-invention. Touching on the world post-Covid, his own personal journey following the sudden loss of his partner to cancer, and the determination to come back into the world fighting, the new record weaves its way through blues, funk, big-beat and heartbreaking love songs. The artist adds:

“Considering the turmoil I (and all of us) have gone through these last few years, I was determined not to make a depressing album. Of course, these subjects are heavily touched upon, but I’ve attempted to pull the lightness from even the darkest of times. This is an album of positivity and the unwavering belief that life, society and grief will inevitably improve even if the odds seem against you.”

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Funke and the Two Tone Baby has been existing on the periphery of the grassroots circuit for over a decade. Snowballing his way across the festival circuit and beyond, his set at 2022’s Beautiful Days Festival attracted the largest ever opening crowd in the event’s history.

Having cultivated his sound on the live circuit, he deftly combines electronic elements including manipulated drum machines, synths and DJ effect triggers with the more organic rhythms of acoustic guitars, blues harmonica and powerful vocals that echo sharp, poetic and socially-conscious lyrics.

With 2023 fast becoming the year that this one-man band truly makes his mark, Funke and the Two Tone Baby has appeared at over 20 major festivals this summer  including Boomtown, Camp Bestival, Boardmasters, 2000 Trees and more. He also played his 1000th show to-date at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, with his set on the Greenpeace stage featured on both Channel 4 News and in the Guardian Guide as one of the Top 6 Picks for the Thursday.

Fresh off the back of his non-stop start to the year and with his album launch show at the renowned Ramsgate Music Hall selling out in a matter of days, Funke will also be heading out on a 12-date tour across the UK this November. Full dates and details below.

UK LIVE DATES 2023

OCTOBER
20 RAMSGATE Ramsgate Music Hall [SOLD OUT]

NOVEMBER
08 SHEFFIELD Yellow Arch
09 LEEDS Hyde Park Book Club
10 GLASGOW Hug & Pint
11 CARLISLE The Source Collective
15 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
16 BRISTOL The Jam Jar
17 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
18 HASTINGS The Brass
22 LONDON Paper Dress Vintage
23 BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds
24 EXETER Bomba!

Tickets available now here.

-Official bio