Chart-topping rhythm section Vulfpeck will release their non-silent full-length debut Thrill of the Arts October 9 on their own Vulf Records. “Back Pocket” featuring Christine Hucal, the first track from the album, premieres today below. Thrill of the Arts is available for preorder.
Hucal, a vocalist and producer moonlighting as a children’s hospital nurse assistant, recorded her feature on the track after drummer and guitarist Theo Katzman texted the track to several frequent collaborators. “Christine texted back a voice memo with the hook and I immediately shipped her a USB mic and a pop filter,” says leader Jack Stratton. “This all happened in 12 seconds.”
The album features further appearances from renowned guitarist David T. Walker (Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson), Raphael Saadiq keyboardist Charles Jones, funk balladeer Antwaun Stanley and “guitar shaman” Blake Mills.
Thrill of the Arts is the band’s full-length debut, following a controversial silent album released on Spotify called Sleepify. Recorded live with each take videotaped, the album takes inspiration from the golden age of rhythm sections, including The Swampers, Booker T. and the MGs and more. “The band aims for conceptual international sound,” says Stratton. “When other countries try to imitate American music you get new results. Like J-Pop or Afrobeat. Vulfpeck is the answer to the hypothetical, what if Berry Gordy was born in Stuttgart?”
Vulfpeck is the half-Jewish, German-American rhythm section of Stratton, Katzman, Woody Goss and Joe Dart.