I love this band. The whole family loves this band. I've been listening to Vulfpeck since I stumbled upon "Outro" in 2016 (one of those rare times an algorithm got it right). It wasn't until the spring of 2023 that I fell deep down the rabbit hole.
This band managed to sell out Madison Square Garden without a manager or backing label. It was this MSG show that sucked me in right from the beginning. There was something so relatable about these musicians. Each member and guest seemed completely comfortable in their own skin. You could sense the pure enjoyment of playing together. No one was trying to be cool. Hell, the band leader's Mother showed up on stage to lead the audience in a yogic breathing exercise. That was the point that sealed the deal for me. If you're bringing your mother on stage during your sold out concert at Madison Square Garden, you're clearly a fully self actualized individual.
Watching this concert was an excellent reminder to be authentic, be true to myself and to follow my instincts. There is no formula to Vulfpeck. Yes, they're funky. Yes, they're low volume. But they're not afraid to try new things. Take Jack Stratton's solo work for example. Nor are they afraid to try crazy fucking things. Famously the band raised funds for a free concert tour by releasing a 10 track album of complete silence on Spotify called "Sleepify". The Peck encouraged their fans to play the album on repeat as they slept, exposing the streaming service's flawed royalties program at the time which pocketed the band over $20K.
I just saw the video for "Running Away" for the first time today and I just had to share it here. I love the simplicity of this song. It could have been written 50 years ago yet it sounds fresh and the band brought in some legendary players (which they often do) rather than handling all duties on their own. Enjoy!