Earth Tongue Members, Gear & Sound

Earth Tongue is a heavy psych rock duo from New Zealand, composed of Gussie Larkin (guitar, vocals) and Ezra Simons (drums, vocals). Known for their immersive and powerful live performances, they blend elements of psychedelic rock, doom metal, stoner rock, and sludge metal. Since their formation in 2016, Earth Tongue has carved out a niche with their fuzz-laden riffs and off-kilter rhythms, drawing audiences into a world of mind-altering soundscapes and rich, visual storytelling. Their discography, including albums like Floating Being and Dungeon Vision, showcases their ability to fuse heavy, bone-rattling sound with tuneful, expressive vocals.

To emulate Earth Tongue's sound, musicians should focus on creating a dense, fuzz-heavy guitar tone, often achieved with high-gain distortion pedals and vintage tube amplifiers to deliver that signature, gritty edge. Gussie Larkin's guitar work is characterized by fuzz-smothered riffs that are both crushing and melodic, requiring a balance of saturation and clarity. Meanwhile, Ezra Simons' drumming injects an unpredictable, off-kilter rhythm, demanding a focus on dynamic interplay and live energy. The duo's music thrives on raw, live-recorded intensity, often captured with minimal processing to maintain the organic feel of their performances. To capture their sound, musicians should prioritize the use of analog recording techniques and embrace the imperfections and spontaneity of live sound.