The Forefathers is a quartet in which each member has extensive experience in blues/jazz/improvised music. We originally formed as an Hammond Organ quartet to bring back some of the vibrations of the late 60’s and early 70’s Bugaloo scene that began in Phili and was a major sound in the “hard bop” movement (notably- Jimmy Smith/Groove Holmes/Lonnie Smith……). We have teamed up with hip hop artist Paul Rivers-Bailey (check out his solo project called “Love Electric” recorded at the studios of The Community Music Space in Red Hook, NY- a space where most of us teach and record music at). Paul continues to up the energy with his brilliant originals that have added so much to our repertoire.
Hailing from the mountains of New York’s Hudson Valley region, Sun Voyager, currently based in New York City, found their sound in a frigid shed during some long winters. You could it psychedelic, you could call it stoner, you could find traces of desert, doom, and anything in between, but it’s hard to put a real name to it.
The Obelisk recently called it “cosmic grunge.” Recyclable Sounds calls it “traditionalist post-Hawkwind moto-space rock.” Put bluntly by Decibel Magazine, “If you’re a connoisseur of the latest in fuzzed-out heavy music, Sun Voyager are a band that should have a place on your radar.”
Give whatever name you want to their sound, they’ve never played by any rules or tried to sound a certain way because music is not a sport with rules to play by. It’s all about expression and making your own rules.
In the year prior to releasing their debut album, Seismic Vibes, they performed at Meltasia on the same night as long-time hero, Roky Erickson, in the Catskills, Asbury Park’s Indian Summer Music Festival, toured most of the country, and shared a bill (Desert Daze) with Andrew WK at SXSW 2018.
QING is a black trans artist who aims to bring a voice to the unheard of their community and create a space of safety, and moreover acceptance within the experience of each of their shows.
Justin Bush is an up and coming hip-hop artist from Walkill, New York who is living his dream. In 2015 he released his first music video “Your Last” which caught the attention of many. His video, “You,” has garnered over 21,000 views on YouTube. With hard work & dedication, he has had the opportunity to perform along artists such as Remy Ma, Papoose, Young MA, August Alsina and PnB Rock. Justin credits Drake, Logic and Big Sean as a few of the artists that have influenced his sound.
Daniel Frankhuizen has performed throughout the United States and abroad as a soloist, chamber musician, and in several pop groups. He has performed in a variety of venues from Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and Storm King Art Center. His own solo music combines elements of minimalism, classical music, and experimental electronics. Daniel’s work has been shown at South by Southwest and Toronto Film Festival. Daniel is also an active member of the jazz groups Neil Alexander’s X Ensemble and the Alexis Cole Band.
Adrian Aardvark offers a unique brand of rock and roll that is highly energetic, completed with theatrics, introspective lyrics, and solid grooves. The Plattsburgh, New York 4-piece is fronted by songwriter Christopher Jay Stott-Rigsbee and accompanied by Shannon Stott-Rigsbee on violin, Catherine Harrison-Wurster on upright bass, and Christopher Lee Shacklett on drums.
Adrian Aardvark’s forthcoming album Dying Optimistically embraces unequivocal passion in an ongoing search for good in the human condition. In the sprightly backdrop of Adrian Aardvark’s songscape, the group strives to atone with the world at large. Imagine the chaotic energy of The Cramps counterbalanced by the emotive fragility of Daniel Johnston — battles against anxiety, depression, and sexual identity are contrasted by explorations of romantic love and acceptance of the self, amplified in a wall of energy. The album was produced by Brendon Massei of Viking Moses in Baltimore, Maryland. Lush string arrangements, enticing drumming, and anthemic vocals showcase the collaborators’ creative dynamism. The bizarre and loving beauty of this record is visually supplemented by Jon Vermilyea’s surreal album artwork.
Award-winning singer/songwriter, A.C.T. toddlers teacher, and popular Bank Street story reader, Esther Crow, brings her zany blend of interactive singing to backing tracks of her funky band, Thunder and Sunshine, as well as original, acoustic guitar songs. Expect crowd favorites, like “The Letter Z” and “Hey, Johnny”, plus funny, handmade animal puppets (by Jeff Lewonczyk), like Bernie the Bee, with big personalities, dance moves, and singing voices of their own!
Blood & Stomach Pills is economical rock and roll for hard times. Two members, Sierra and Heron Furtwangler, hold this unit down with primal rhythms supporting their 70’s organ and shining guitar tones with a style that is spread throughout country, gospel, blues, and garage rock with a healthy dose of social conscience that is indispensable to anyone aware of the current entropy of American society.
M.C. Chris is a rapper from Libertyville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was one of the first rappers to focus solely on nerd life, rapping about Star Wars, Harry Potter, ninjas and unrequited love, instead of the usual hip hop fare. M.C. got his start as an animator on many of the shows you’ve see on Adult Swim. He was writer, actor, songwriter and lead animator for shows like Sealab 2021, The Brak Show, Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He has voiced characters on several Adult Swim pilots such as Welcome to Eltingville, Cheyenne Cinnamon, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell and Tight Bros. He was also a producer of on air content for over a year before leaving Williams Street to pursue a career in music.
M.C. has since released seventeen albums and has crossed America countless times, touring as a headliner as well as opening for bands like Pinback, Reggie and the Full Effect and Ninja Sex Party. He’s collaborated with Talib Kweli, Andrew WK, Cee-Lo, Childish Gambino and Gwar. He’s performed at SXSW, PAX, Fun Fun Fest, Bamboozle, Warped Tour, GwarBQ, The Gathering, Comicon, Dragoncon and countless others conventions. His music has been featured in Kevin Smith’s “Zak and Miri Make a Porno,” “Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie” and he has composed several themes for Smith’s Smodcast podcast network. M.C.’s song “Hoodie Ninja” was featured in both a national Honda commercial and America’s Funniest Home Videos. Other songs have been featured in Comedy Central’s “Broad City” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance?” M.C. most recently guest starred on a punk compilation album dedicated to Dr. Demento and made a cameo on Gwar’s latest album “The Blood of Gods.”
M.C. raises money to fight Cystic Fibrosis. Inspired by his nephew who has CF, mc chris and his fans have raised over $165,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through eBay sales and donations collected at live shows.
M.C kickstarted “The M.C. Chris Cartoon” an animated extension of the skit universe featured on his records. Thanks to donations from his fans, he raised over $60,000 and produced a six minute pilot presentation with the animation company Titmouse Inc.
For the past two years, every album M.C. has released has charted in the top ten on Billboard. A new album is scheduled to be release sometime in 2018. M.C. lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three year old.
