Typsy Panthre is the recording duo Allison LaBonne and John Crozier , and their self titled debut LP is out now on Korda Records. Melodic and filled with sonic surprises, Typsy Panthre’s sound is fun and dark; like a second cousin of Nick Drake and The Smiths with electronic drums and gentle female vocals.
Typsy Panthre started with one song: Paper Winter, singer Allison LaBonne says. It didn’t have lyrics yet. John gave me a demo and seemed surprised that I came up with words for it within a few days.
LaBonne (who sings and writes songs with The Starfolk and The Owls) was already a fan of Crozier’s songwriting in the likes of Ninotchka, Ninian Hawick, and Muskellunge; and of his guitar work in a host of Minneapolis bands from the garage punk Wahinis, to the bossa-pop Legendary Jim Ruiz Group, to the lush, sixties-inspired Hang Ups.
That first Typsy Panthre song came together easily, at least on my end. I added some unsolicited harmonies because I thought it sounded pretty minimal. I didn’t realize how much John would transform songs after the lead vocal was added. Usually radically. He’s super adventurous in his arrangements. Really different from anything I’d done before musically.