Vulfpeck

Track	Album / EP
Beastly	Mit Peck EP
3 On E	The Joy Of Music …
Christmas In L.A.	Fugue State EP
Back Pocket	Thrill Of The Arts
Dean Town	The Beautiful Game
Animal Spirits	The Beautiful Game
Cory Wong	The Beautiful Game
Birds Of A Feather, We Rock Together	Mr Finish Line
LAX	The Joy Of Music …
Sauna	Schvitz

Vulfpeck burst onto the scene – or rather, slyly sidled in – back in 2011, a bunch of University of Michigan music grads with a cheeky vision: recreate the vibe of those mythical German session musicians who might have backed the hits of the 60s and 70s, if only such a thing existed. Led by the endlessly inventive Jack Stratton (drums, keys, guitar, and the band’s de facto ringmaster), alongside Theo Katzman (drums, guitar, vocals), Woody Goss (keys), and the bass wizard Joe Dart, they started dropping EPs that felt like love letters to funk, soul, and groove. No frills, just tight rhythms, infectious hooks, and a production style that’s deliberately lo-fi, evoking old TV performances on shows like The Midnight Special. They’re the anti-superstars: no major label, no manager for years, yet they sold out Madison Square Garden in 2019 and turned a silent album gimmick into tour-funding gold. You can think Steely Dan – a core group with A list session players. However, whereas Steely Dan wrote on gangsters, drug addicts, pimps, and the sleaze of modern life, Vulfpeck tends to be positive.  

Their discography is a funky odyssey; from early EPs like Mit Peck and Vollmilch to full-blown albums like The Beautiful Game and the recent Clarity Of Cal in 2025. Collaborators pop in like old mates – Antwaun Stanley’s soulful pipes, Cory Wong’s guitar wizardry, even legends like Bernard Purdie. Vulfpeck isn’t just music; it’s a community, a wink at the industry, and proof that groove conquers all. They’ve toured the world, from free-admission gigs funded by Spotify royalties to packed European runs. In a world of overproduced pop, Vulfpeck keeps it real, minimal, and massively fun. Now, on to the top ten – a tough cull from their treasure trove.

Beastly kicks things off from their debut EP Mit Peck (2011), a bass-driven monster that sets the template for everything Vulfpeck. Joe Dart’s lines slither and pop like a young Jaco Pastorius on a Motown bender, with the band locking into a groove that’s equal parts menace and mirth. It’s instrumental, sure, but it speaks volumes – think of it as the band’s calling card, announcing, “We’re here to funk, and we’re not messing about.”

3 On E gives us the secret. Three bass notes on the lowest bass string (on a four string) played on the beat then a rest. By the end of this you’ll be dancing. A masterclass in groove. Great Antwaun Stanley vocals. Joe Dart in his happy place.

Christmas In L.A., from 2014’s Fugue State, is a festive curveball with Theo Katzman on vocals and guitar legend David T. Walker adding those shimmering licks. It’s a tongue-in-cheek holiday tale of Santa ditching the North Pole for Hollywood glamour, wrapped in sunny funk. The irony drips like tinsel – “Kris Kringle’s driving a Chevrolet” – but the groove is warm and inviting. Perfect for those who find traditional carols a bit stuffy; it’s like Bing Crosby reimagined by Sly Stone. I’ve spun this every December since discovering it, and it never fails to bring a grin.

Back Pocket from Thrill Of The Arts (the first full-length album in 2015) is Vulfpeck at their most anthemic, with Katzman’s raspy delivery over a hook that’s impossible not to hum. It’s about keeping secrets or maybe just that killer bass line Joe Dart tucks away – either way, it’s pop-funk perfection. The band channels a bit of Steely Dan’s polish but keeps the edges rough. This one’s a live staple, and for good reason: it builds like a party about to explode.

Dean Town, off The Beautiful Game (2016), is Joe Dart’s showcase, a blistering bass workout inspired by Weather Report’s Teen Town. It’s instrumental fury, with Dart’s fingers flying faster than a caffeinated hummingbird. The band piles on with keys and drums that match the intensity – think fusion jazz meets funk rock. If you’ve ever wondered why bassists worship at Dart’s altar, this is Exhibit A. Those 16th notes are very difficult to maintain at tempo.

Animal Spirits from the same album slows the tempo but amps the soul, with Antwaun Stanley crooning over a slinky groove. It’s got that motivational vibe – “We’re all animal spirits” – wrapped in horns and harmonies. Vulfpeck dips into yacht rock territory here, but with their signature wit. Comparable to Hall & Oates at their smoothest, yet fresher. Great for road trips or pondering life’s absurdities.

Cory Wong, also from The Beautiful Game, is a tribute to the guitarist himself, who guests on the track with his trademark chicken-pickin’ flair. It’s a high-energy instrumental, blending funk with rock edges, where Wong’s solos dance over Dart’s bass anchors. Named after Cory’s audition tapes it’s developed into a groove, a jam and a composition. It’s like a musical high-five. Energetic and precise, it’s Vulfpeck nodding to their collaborators while keeping the groove supreme. You might like Cory’s band Fearless Flyers, with Joe Dart and Snarky Puppy’s Mark Lettieri in the lineup.

Birds Of A Feather, We Rock Together on Mr Finish Line (2017) features Antwaun again, this time with a gospel-infused uplift. The title’s a play on unity, and the track soars with layered vocals and a driving rhythm. Guests like Bootsy Collins add star power, but it’s the band’s cohesion that shines. Think Earth, Wind & Fire meets modern indie funk – joyful, communal, and hard to sit still through.

LAX, my second choice from 2020’s The Joy Of Music, The Job Of Real Estate, brings Joey Dosik’s smooth vocals and sax into a laid-back, airport-themed jammer. It’s got that West Coast chill, with Cory Wong on guitar again, evoking lazy L.A. vibes. The title track’s a nod to travel woes or perhaps just a funky acronym – either way, it’s breezy and brilliant. Reminiscent of those Steely Dan deep cuts, but with Vulf’s minimalist punch. Post-pandemic, this feels like a breath of fresh air.

Finally, Sauna from Schvitz (2022) rounds things out with a steamy, Yiddish-titled sweat session. It’s pure relaxation funk, with woody keys and a bass line that simmers. The album’s retro leanings shine here, like a 70s soundtrack cue. After the hiatus, it marked their triumphant return – think of it as the band’s way of saying, “We’re back, and hotter than ever.” A fitting closer to this list, leaving you warmed up and wanting more.

It’s also worth listening to or watching the now legendary Madison Square Garden show in full rather than just the short clip at the top. Joined by many guests, including Chris Thile (see Punch Brothers and Thile’s toppermosts) it’s a terrific show in which Vulfpeck cooks.

Vulfpeck isn’t just a band; it’s a movement, proving that funk can be smart, silly, and sublime all at once. With the Clarity Of Cal album fresh in 2025, their journey’s far from over. Dive into their world – you won’t regret it.

Vulfpeck official website

Vulfpeck bandcamp

Vulfpeck YouTube Channel

Vulfpeck Live at Madison Square Garden – full show (YT)

Nicholas Runyon article at The Daily Fandom (2020)

David Lewis is Australia’s best jazz mandolinist, unless you can name someone else: then he’s Australia’s second-best. In any case, he’s almost certainly top 100. He is a regular contributor to Toppermost, and also plays guitar, banjo and bass professionally. David is also the co-host of the New Politics Australia podcast, with Eddy Jokovich, and they have produced half a dozen books on Australian Politics based on the podcast.

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