Earphunk
Earphunk Initially put together as an outlet for fun, musical creativity, EarPhunk began with late night jam sessions between good friends guitarist/vocalist Mark Hempe, bassist Michael Comeaux, guitarist Paul Provosty, and drummer Michael Matthews. Reigning from the funky town of New Orleans, the quartet was set on furthering their exploration into playing music, and began to polish their jams and express their musical aspirations at various house parties and small clubs around New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA. Close to a year later, as the group began to gel and find more opportunities to perform, long time friend and keyboardist Christian Galle joined forces with the Phunk to collectively propel the band's young yet promising sound. Adding vintage organ and electric piano textures to the already heavy, funky jams, the addition seemed inevitable. The band has not looked back since, and has built up a healthy repertoire of well thought out and memorable originals, while paying homage to their influences through covers of artists like Stevie Wonder, the Meters, James Brown, Herbie Hancock, and Jimi Hendrix. Drawing from a large pool of relentlessly loyal friends, who have been converted to fans, attendance at EarPhunk's shows began to rise while word of mouth began to travel, and EarPhunk was granted their first gig at the legendary and world famous Tipitina's - a dream come true for the now five young and determined musicians. With over two hundred people in attendance, EarPhunk has since returned to Tipitina's on several occasions, and has frequented venues like the Maple Leaf, the Blue Nile, Chelsea's, and successfully completed their first tour in the summer of 2010, anchored by a set at the Wakarusa Music Festival.