TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN | INDEPENDENT MUSIC
Three countries. Secret jam sessions. One shared passion for making music.
Meet The Great Game
Some bands are formed through careful planning. Others come together through chance encounters, shared musical instincts and a little spontaneity.
For The Great Game, it all began in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic, when musicians from three different countries found one another through secret jam sessions. What started as a shared creative outlet has since developed into a band with a debut album, Sure As The Sun Will Rise, to its name.
Based in Taipei City, The Great Game embrace an approach to music built around honest creativity, joyful performance and the simple pleasure of playing together.
Their philosophy is refreshingly uncomplicated: play with everything you've got, embrace the unexpected and keep the music alive until the very last breath.
Why We're Listening
There's something particularly compelling about musicians from different backgrounds finding common ground through creativity.
The Great Game's international origins and spontaneous beginnings suggest a collaborative spirit that places musical connection ahead of convention.
Even their instrumental arrangements have an intriguing twist. Their bassist is also a talented trombonist, meaning that when he steps forward for a trombone solo, the piano discreetly takes over the bass lines.
It's a clever exchange of musical responsibilities that reflects the band's playful, adaptable approach to making music together.
The Story So Far
From Secret Jams to a Debut Album
Born from unexpected musical encounters during the pandemic, The Great Game have taken their shared creative energy into the recording studio, releasing their debut album, Sure As The Sun Will Rise.
For a band brought together by three different national backgrounds and a shared love of performance, the album marks an important milestone in their musical journey.
A Little Something Different
Not every band has a bassist who can swap instruments mid-performance without leaving a gap in the low end.
When The Great Game's bass player takes a trombone solo, the piano quietly assumes responsibility for the bass line, allowing the music to keep moving without missing a beat.
It's the sort of musical flexibility that makes collaborative performance so much fun.
Discover The Great Game
The Great Game are featured in Tantalis Discovery, an editorial initiative dedicated to celebrating independent artists and bringing remarkable music to new audiences.