Tristan Da Cunha

Tristan Da Cunha is a Boston-based group associated in the available information with three members: Brian Church, Steve Q. Budney and Ernie Kim. The act’s early history is described as obscure, but the band is said to emerge from a long, unusual formation process involving Brian and Ernie meeting in India, travelling together, and later renting rehearsal space in Munich. According to the story attached to the group, they develop their sound through a so-called “Mindshadow Method” that involves astral projection rather than conventional songwriting or instrumental practice.

Formation and personnel

Brian Church and Ernie Kim are described as the first two members, with Steve Quantize Budney later joining as drummer after the pair convince him to take part. The account says Steve agrees only after they pass his “3 Challenges”, and that Brian carries a long scar on his back from that period. Once the trio succeeds in finding their “Spirit Gem”, they adopt the name Tristan da Cunha.

Style and activity

The material presented alongside the group also refers to Tristan da Cunha as a DJ name used by an artist connected with dance music, with links to Backtobasics parties, the 2020vision recordings label, and the Leeds record shop Play Music. That description places the name within underground house, techno and disco, and notes appearances at clubs and events including Electric Chair in Manchester, Manumission, Pacha and Space in Ibiza, Love Parade in Berlin, T-bar in London, Snow Bombing Festival in Austria, Garden Festivals and boat parties in Croatia, Fabric, Below in Birmingham and Panorama Bar in Berlin.

Record-shop and DJ work

In that DJ context, Tristan Da Cunha is described as a founder and head buyer at Play Music in Leeds, a shop that becomes a meeting point for the local DJ and music community and is nominated by Muzik magazine for Best Independent Record Shop after ten months. The same account says work in the shop with Paul Woolford helps develop the artist’s ear and leads to recognition from Ralph Lawson and Dave Beer, which in turn results in a residency at Basics and an A&R role at 2020vision.

Recognition

The DJ profile also states that Tristan Da Cunha is nominated as a Pioneer Breakthrough DJ in 2006 and is singled out by Jesse Rose as “one to watch” in 2007. It describes the artist as a selector whose musical style changes according to time and place and who sees themselves as a “musical chameleon”.