VULFPECK

Biography

Vulfpeck is an American funk band formed in 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, by University of Michigan music school students Jack Stratton, Theo Katzman, Woody Goss, and Joe Dart. The group originated as a rhythm section for a performance at the Duderstadt Center, inspired by Jack Stratton's concept of an imagined German version of 1960s U.S. session musicians like the Funk Brothers, Wrecking Crew, and Muscle Shoals players. Their early releases included EPs such as Mit Peck (2011), Vollmilch (2012), and My First Car (2013), followed by full-length albums like Thrill of the Arts (2015), showcasing their tight grooves, retro-funk style, and exceptional instrumental proficiency blending funk, soul, jazz, and rock elements.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Released a silent album called Sleepify on Spotify in 2014, generating $20,000 in royalties to fund an admission-free tour.[1][2]
• Sold out Madison Square Garden independently without a manager or record label, later releasing a live album and concert film.[2]
• First performance of 'Beastly' was filmed unplanned for a friend's senior thesis, sparking the band's viral start on YouTube.[3]
• All releases are independent via their own label Vulf Records, embodying a DIY approach to the music industry.[2]

Members

• Joe Dart - bass
• Woody Goss - keyboard
• Theo Katzman - guitar family, membranophone
• Jack Stratton - keyboard, membranophone

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Funk Brothers - Stylistic inspiration for 1960s session musician rhythm sections (Motown recordings) [1960s]
• Wrecking Crew - Influence on imagined German-style U.S. session musicians (Various pop/rock sessions) [1960s]
• Reinhold Mack - Interview inspired Jack Stratton's band concept (Producer for Queen and Scorpions) [Pre-2011]

Key Collaborators

• Jack Stratton - Founder, keyboards, drums, guitar; core member (All Vulfpeck albums including Mit Peck (2011), Thrill of the Arts (2015)) [2011-present]
• Theo Katzman - Core member, guitar, drums, vocals (All Vulfpeck albums) [2011-present]
• Woody Goss - Core member, keyboards (All Vulfpeck albums) [2011-present]
• Joe Dart - Core member, bass (All Vulfpeck albums) [2011-present]
• Antwaun Stanley - Frequent touring collaborator, vocals (The Beautiful Game and later tours) [2010s-present]
• Joey Dosik - Frequent touring collaborator (Expanded 7-piece touring band) [2010s-present]
• Cory Wong - Frequent touring collaborator, guitar (Expanded 7-piece touring band including The Beautiful Game) [2010s-present]

Artists Influenced

• Younger funk and soul musicians - Rejuvenated interest in funk/soul genres among new audiences (General influence on groove-based music) [2010s-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #funk, #indie, #indie-pop