Akron Family

Guide Note:

Akron/Family is an experimental rock band from Brooklyn, New York. Their music is frequently categorized as "freak folk," mixing traditional elements of folk music with sound effects and unconventional instrumentation.

Fast Facts:

1. Formed in 2002 in Brooklyn, New York
2. Label: Young God Records
3. Members: Dana Janssen, Seth Olinsky, Miles Seaton, Ryan Vanderhoof
4. Much of their debut was recorded in their Brooklyn apartment
5. Every band member plays several instruments and sings on albums

1. Akron/Family (2005)
2. Akron/Family and Angels of Light (2005)
3. Meek Warrior (2006)
4. Love Is Simple (2007)

Akron/Family is distinguished by their incorporation of stray sounds, along with acoustic folk, such as chanting, '70s guitar riffs, and the occasional dance beat. A creaking chair, sounds of thunder and white noise can all be heard on their debut album, Akron/Family.

Akron/Family was signed in 2003 to Young God Records after sending the company numerous demo tapes. Their debut on the label, 2005's Akron/Family, was composed of various tracks self-recorded over the past several years in the band member's apartment in Brooklyn.

That same month, the band Angels of Light released their album, Sing "Other People", featuring back-up instruments from Akron/Family. The bands toured together as "Angels of Light" and then released a split album together in 2005.

One of the original band members, Ryan Vanderhoof, left the group in 2007, after the release of their most recent album, Love is Simple, to live in a Buddhist Dharma center.