Biography
Tanukichan crafts a gentle yet enigmatic sonic blend that merges shoegaze haze, lush dream-pop textures, and the inward focus typical of singer-songwriters. The project centers on multi-instrumentalist Hannah van Loon’s compositions and vocals, shaped in the studio by Chaz Bear of Toro y Moi. The 2018 debut Sundays distilled the subdued wistfulness associated with that day of the week, whereas Gizmo, arriving in 2023, introduced metallic guitars, industrial synths, and a brighter overall disposition.
A Northern California native, van Loon launched her recording career in 2012 as a member of Trails and Ways. The musicians first connected while enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, and folded a pronounced world-music influence into their indie-pop framework. Within the group she handled lead guitar and keyboards; Trails and Ways issued three EPs before delivering the full-length Pathology in 2015.
She departed the band the following year to concentrate on solo work under the Tanukichan moniker. Working alone at first, she completed a set of demos and unveiled the track “Bitter Medicine” in May 2016. After being introduced to Bear by mutual acquaintance Anthony Ferraro of Astronauts, etc., the two began joint sessions. Van Loon then brought her live rhythm section—drummer Aaron Gold and bassist Scott Brown, both also from Astronauts, etc.—to Bear’s home studio, where the quartet tracked four songs that formed the Radiolove EP, issued on Bear’s Company Records label in August 2016.
For Tanukichan’s first proper album she chose to collaborate solely with Bear. The pair retreated to his studio and assembled an intimate shoegaze record built around drum machines, airy synths, densely textured guitars, and van Loon’s delicate, snow-light vocals. She named the collection Sundays to evoke the dreamy introspection of a quiet Sunday afternoon. Company Records released the album in July 2018, coinciding with a brief U.S. tour on which Tanukichan supported Kero Kero Bonito. The next year the live band opened dates for the Drums. When preparation for a follow-up began, van Loon and Bear resumed work and incorporated her longstanding affinity for nu metal along with an upbeat sensibility drawn from ’90s acts such as 311 and Sheryl Crow. Reverb-laden guitars, hushed vocals, and languid, dreamlike pacing nevertheless remained central. One track features guest vocals from Aramis Johnson of Enumclaw. Gizmo appeared on Company in March 2023.
A Northern California native, van Loon launched her recording career in 2012 as a member of Trails and Ways. The musicians first connected while enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, and folded a pronounced world-music influence into their indie-pop framework. Within the group she handled lead guitar and keyboards; Trails and Ways issued three EPs before delivering the full-length Pathology in 2015.
She departed the band the following year to concentrate on solo work under the Tanukichan moniker. Working alone at first, she completed a set of demos and unveiled the track “Bitter Medicine” in May 2016. After being introduced to Bear by mutual acquaintance Anthony Ferraro of Astronauts, etc., the two began joint sessions. Van Loon then brought her live rhythm section—drummer Aaron Gold and bassist Scott Brown, both also from Astronauts, etc.—to Bear’s home studio, where the quartet tracked four songs that formed the Radiolove EP, issued on Bear’s Company Records label in August 2016.
For Tanukichan’s first proper album she chose to collaborate solely with Bear. The pair retreated to his studio and assembled an intimate shoegaze record built around drum machines, airy synths, densely textured guitars, and van Loon’s delicate, snow-light vocals. She named the collection Sundays to evoke the dreamy introspection of a quiet Sunday afternoon. Company Records released the album in July 2018, coinciding with a brief U.S. tour on which Tanukichan supported Kero Kero Bonito. The next year the live band opened dates for the Drums. When preparation for a follow-up began, van Loon and Bear resumed work and incorporated her longstanding affinity for nu metal along with an upbeat sensibility drawn from ’90s acts such as 311 and Sheryl Crow. Reverb-laden guitars, hushed vocals, and languid, dreamlike pacing nevertheless remained central. One track features guest vocals from Aramis Johnson of Enumclaw. Gizmo appeared on Company in March 2023.
Albums
Singles
