Tiny Ruins

Tiny Ruins are an indie folk trio based in Auckland, New Zealand. The band name was first adopted by singer/songwriter Hollie Fullbrook in 2009 for her solo project, but eventually morphed into a trio with bassist Cass Basil and drummer Alexander Freer. Fullbrook’s first release as Tiny Ruins was a 2010 collaborative EP with Spanish folk artist A Singer of Songs called Little Notes. Her debut LP, Some Were Meant for Sea, followed in May 2011. The album’s spare, haunting songs have roots in classic British folk and American blues. Fullbrook’s debut was well-received critically and led to tours with established indie acts like Calexico, Beach House, and Fleet Foxes in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. With Basil and Freer fully integrated into the band, Tiny Ruins set about recording a follow-up LP back in their hometown of Auckland. A six-song collection of older demos and rarities titled Haunts appeared in April 2013, and a year later the group’s sophomore LP, Brightly Painted One, was released. Building on their minimalist sound, the subtle addition of horns, strings, and organ populated the songs on the second album. Tiny Ruins returned in 2019 with their third full-length effort Olympic Girls. The 11-track record was produced by bandmember Tom Healy at Paquin Studios in their hometown, and was released by Courtney Barnett’s Milk! Records. ~ Timothy Monger